The official language in Turkey is the question that we are most asked about. We understand the interest since your curiosity will peak if you plan to live in another country or buy property there and you don't speak the official language. The Turkish language, spoken by millions of people across the globe, is linguistically marvellous with cultural significance. Belonging to the Turkic languages, Turkish speakers often captivate audiences with their tone and pronunciation.
With a rich culture and huge history, Turkey is truly a unique country blending many cultures and histories to provide a colourful haven for those who choose to live in Turkey. In this blog we take a look at how Turkey came to be the country that it is today and the influences that have happened over the course of history that still play in part in painting the countries landscape today.
Have you ever heard the news and wondered, “Turkiye? Is that a typo?” Buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a thrilling journey from the enchanting steppes of Central Asia to the bustling streets of modern-day Istanbul, as we unravel the mystique behind Turkey’s decision to rename itself as Turkiye.
Turkiye has come on leaps and bounds since the turn of the century - with more investment, tourists, and infrastructure than ever before. To understand just why Turkey is attracting so much attention and investment, we need to glance over its rich and colourful historical timeline, which will provide answers to why the eyes of the world are on this country, and why the future is looking so bright for Turkey and the people that inhabit this beautiful land.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's first two weeks in office since his late May 2023 re-election have been characterised by vigorous diplomatic and economic action. In his fourth term as the President of Turkey, Erdogan has quickly pivoted to address both international relations and domestic concerns, highlighting his ambition to secure Turkey's place on the global stage while concurrently combatting the economic challenges at home.
We need to say that when reading this list of famous landmarks in Turkey, get ready to be amazed. The variety and exciting stories of famous Turkish landmarks easily impress everyone. Turkey has been home to many cultures and civilisations, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Ottoman Empire. Hence why Turkey's diverse cultural heritage boasts many famous Turkish landmarks.
The night of May 28, 2023 Turkey successfully elected it’s leader for the next five years via a run-off election. Recep Tayyip Erdogan narrowly defeated Kemal Kilicdaroglu by a count of 52%-48%. This was the ending to the most anticipated election of the 21st century within Turkey. Many of Turkey’s various parties came together behind Kemal Kilicdaroglu in opposition to Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003.
Today across Turkey, and around the world, Turkish citizens will be deciding who will serve as President of Turkey for the next five years. Presidential elections are also a significant aspect of the Turkish electoral system. In 2014, for the first time in Turkish history, the president was elected by direct popular vote.
Herodotus, often called the Father of History, was a Greek historian who lived during the fifth century BCE. Born in Halicarnassus, a city in ancient Asia Minor, Herodotus was part of the classical world and is believed to have been well-travelled. His extensive travels allowed him to gather first-hand knowledge and stories from the ancient world, which he incorporated into his most famous work, "The Histories."
As Turkey gears up for its pivotal upcoming election, on May 14, 2023, real estate investors are paying close attention to the political landscape and its potential impact on the property market. This crucial vote, which promises to be a defining moment in the nation's history, features a diverse matchup of candidates, each with their own distinct policies that could sway the country's future economic trajectory.
Welcome to the fascinating world of Sardis, one of the ancient world’s greatest cities that has captivated visitors for centuries. This once-thriving metropolis in the Manisa province of modern-day Turkey played significant roles as the capital of the Lydian Empire in the 6th century BCE. Today, Sardis ancient city proves the ingenuity and achievements of bygone eras, with well-preserved ruins and monuments offering detailed glimpses into the past.
The ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople reflected beauty and power, captivating onlookers while symbolising the power of old Constantinople city. From chariot races to cultural events, the Hippodrome was an integral symbol of extraordinary Constantinople, that was envied the world over. So, what makes the Hippodrome of Constantinople so unique?
From history to today, the old city of Istanbul perfectly reflects Turkey's cultural and historical significance. This destination that shaped current day Turkey seems vastly different to other fast-paced city destinations. Touches of nostalgia linger over Istanbul's old city part known as Sultanahmet, and if you pause and reflect, you can easily imagine various events over centuries.
Ah, famous Constantinople. This political, economic, and cultural heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires is one of history's most intriguing stories. This city of Greek, Christian and Islamic culture and religion dominated global trade for centuries. Despite challenges, including invading armies and political unrest, Constantinople stood proud for thousands of years and left much impact on the world.
The Bosphorus often overshadows the Golden Horn of Istanbul. Yet the Golden Horn estuary is just as crucial to the city, which has a vast historical timeline spanning the Byzantine empire, the Ottoman period and the current-day Turkish republic. Those who know their history will talk about the Golden Horn during the famous siege of Constantinople.
Turkish culture is often misrepresented. And in the comments we often get comments such as, "Turks stole this," "Greeks invented that," "Eastern Turkey belongs to us," and so on, and so forth. So in this article let's look at some of these misconceptions, along with Turkish culture as whole because it is so rich in history and cultural diversity. It is interesting to know how it became this way and why.
The Montreux Convention is an international agreement governing the use of the Dardanelles Strait, linking the Aegean and Marmara Seas, and the Bosphorus Strait, the body of water which links the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea. Historically, the Montreux Convention also settled European opinions over the handling of two straits under Turkish control over the course of a couple centuries.
What is the Blue Evil Eye? Turkish people believe the Blue Evil Eye absorbs bad energy whilst at the same time, protecting you. If the evil or curse is abolished or broken, the evil eye will crack, to signal the danger is over. Given at weddings, purchased by tourists as souvenirs, in this blog we take a look at the mystic and wonderful with an in depth look at the Blue Evil Eye, also known as Nazar Boncugu.
Getting to know about the regions of Turkey is a fascinating insight into a country so geographically diverse, that it boggles the mind. As the 37th largest country, with more than 8,000 kilometres of coastline and surrounded by four seas, the Republic of Turkey’s geography vastly differs from east to west.
Its origins are sticky but one thing is certain: Turkish delight is one of the world's favourite sweets. No one seems to know for sure whether Turkish delight or lokum was invented 300 years ago or is a much more ancient sweet, but the confection, - rolled in coconut or sugar, filled with nuts, and coloured delicate shades of pink or yellow - is found in every corner of the globe.