Turkey — Cradle of Civilisations

Asia Minor was one of the earliest centres of world civilisation. Archaeological finds here reach back to the Upper Palaeolithic, with traces of settlements some 150,000 years old in the Karain cave near Antalya, and a small town at Çatalhöyük dated to 6500–5500 BC. Wave after wave of peoples from Europe and Asia — Hittites and Cimmerians, Phrygians and Lydians, Greeks and Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans — settled this land, and each left its mark on its culture and traditions.

The Persians, the Pergamon Kingdom and then the Roman Empire all ruled here in turn, before the Ottoman dynasty built a vast empire that reached its height in the 16th century under Suleiman the Magnificent. In 1923 the Turkish Republic was proclaimed under Mustafa Kemal — honoured as Atatürk, the 'Father of the Turks'.

Today Turkey is a fast-growing nation that draws millions of visitors with its rich heritage, gentle climate, first-class service and traditional hospitality. A trip here pairs sightseeing among ancient monuments with relaxed beach time and varied shopping — leather goods, clothing, shoes and bags are local specialities.