Travel the World - Turkey

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world. By the end of 2021, I'd virtually traveled to 145 countries and plan to complete my journey to all 195 countries by visiting the last 50 this year.

This week's country is...

Turkey

The country of Turkey lies on a peninsula that joins Europe and Asia. It is surrounded on three sides by water.

It has eight bordering countries that are Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece.

Turkey's landmass is 95% in Asia and 5% in Europe.

Turkish people are known to be very patriotic. You will never hear them complain or say bad things about their country. They give very high importance to their flag. It is placed everywhere throughout the country.

The Turkish didn't use surnames until 1934.

Turks are among the world’s youngest population. The country’s median age is 31.5 years. About 23% is under the age of 14, while half of the total population is under 30.

There are more than 30 ethnic languages in Turkey.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey. It is often mistaken as the capital of Turkey; however, that title officially belongs to Ankara.

Istanbul is the only city on earth on two continents.

The Istanbul tunnel is the world’s second-oldest underground railway system.

Lokum, a Turkish confectionary is a chewy cornstarch-thickened sweet. It was first produced in Istanbul in 1777. This delight reached the United States late in the 19th century, which then inspired jelly bean production.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half of the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. Due to its fruitful soil, favorable climate and plentiful rainfall, Turkey is one of the few self-sufficient food producing countries in the world.

Turkey is the 10th biggest crop producer in the world. Aside from grains, Turkey is known for its cotton, sunflower, legumes, grapes, apples, dried fruits, and livestock.

Turkey is the world's biggest producer of hazelnuts.

After China, India, and the U.S., Turkey is the world’s fourth-largest producer of tomatoes. Around 30% of Turkey’s tomato produce is processed into ketchup, tomato paste, juice, puree, and diced tomatoes.

From the Istanbul airport, Turkish Airlines flies up to 50 domestic destinations and 250 international destinations to 123 countries. Turkey’s geographical location at the world’s relative center makes it very accessible to fly almost anywhere.

Turkey has one of the world's biggest and oldest shopping malls. The Kapalı Çarşı also known as Istanbul‘s Grand Bazaar began in 1455, 2 years after Mehmed II defeated Constantinople. To this day, it’s one of the world’s most-visited tourist spots, attracting over 90 million local and international visitors per year.

The "Evil Eye" is the best-selling souvenir in Turkey. It is a stone made from molten glass, iron, and copper. A 3,000-year tradition, it is worn to protect the wearer from evil forces. The belief is hat the blue color of the stone has the power to shield from negative energy.

Carpets are very important in Turkish culture. Seen as religious symbols, they are used in mosques.

Turkey is the 6th most-visited tourist destinations in the world. Every year, around 50 million international tourists visit Turkey. The tourists take part in Turkey’s cuisine, culture, and nature. The Mediterranean climate provides the country up to 6 months of summertime in its southern parts, which makes the weather ideal for travel.

The place known as Troy from the legendary Trojan Wars is located in Western Turkey.

Also known as the Turtle Beach, İztuzu Beach is known as a breeding ground for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. This endangered species visits between May and October to mate and lay eggs.

More than 130 mountain peaks in Turkey reach an elevation of more than 9800 feet.

Turkey houses two of the seven Wonders of the World. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus is a remnant of Ancient Greek civilization dedicated to the ancient goddess Artemis. Another historical site is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus built between 353 and 350 BC.

The first ever university known to man is located in Harran, Turkey.

Turkey's highest point - Mount Ararat -  is a dormant volcano. 

Leonardo Da Vinci proposed a plan to construct a bridge across the Bosporus Straits in 1503. However, the construction only took place 498 years later. The bridge was named the Galata Bridge in 2001.

The world's first temple is in Turkey.

A new type of plant is discovered every 10 days in Turkey.

Also known as grease wrestling, oil wrestling is the country’s national sport. As its name suggests, two contenders will wrestle each other while doused in olive oil. However, unlike traditional wrestling, oil wrestling competitions can be won by delivering an effective hold to a pair of loose-fitting leather trousers worn by the wrestlers.

Coffee was once reserved for royalty in Turkey.

A few hundred years ago, Turkish women had the legal grounds to get a divorce if their husbands couldn't provide them with something as essential as coffee.

Turkey consumes the most tea of any country in the world.

Turkish food is deliciously scrumptious. They are most famous for their kebabs and seafood.

In Turkey, almost every meal comes with fresh bread and many consider the best part of the meal to be soaking up the juices and oils of other dishes with the bread.

Soup is an essential part of Turkish cuisine. They have it before every meal.

In Turkey, you will find a dessert made out of chicken. It is called Tavukgogsu.

Ice cream street vendors also perform circus-clown performances to attract customers.

Salting is Turkey’s custom of protecting a newborn baby. This custom requires one to rub salt all over a baby’s body, under the belief that it will boost the baby’s resistance to harmful elements.

Although the majority doesn’t practice it anymore, some Turks believe that putting a tortoise under a baby’s pillow at night will protect the infant.

The story of Santa Claus originated in Turkey. Born to wealthy parents, Nicholas was a Christian saint and Greek bishop of Myra, who was born in Patara. Once his parents died, he received a large amount of wealth, which he would give away to the poor and needy. Legend has it that he would drop bags of gold coins down the chimneys of houses, and provide fruits to children. His good deeds spread through Europe, and locals began integrating it with their myths and legends.

The name/word turquoise, which literally means Turkish stone, originated in Turkey.

The species of birds called Turkeys got their name from Turkey (the country).

Turkish people treat the elderly with a lot of respect. When they enter the room, the oldest always goes first. On some occasions, you might see younger people kiss the right hand of elderlies and raise their hand to their forehead.

Throwing water after someone leaves, especially for a trip, is very common in Turkey. It means they wish you a happy return.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Turkey... Originally discovered in Turkey, tulips are the country's National Flower. The Turkish introduced tulips to Europe during the 17th Century.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Waffle Flower Tulips stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers and SU Lots of Thanks stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Paper: Accent Opaque 120# White and U Blushing Bride CS

Dies: Waffle Flower Blanket Stitch Layers

Ink (for Blending): Ranger Antique Linen Distress

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots