|
Marmara Region
Balikesir
Bilecik
Bursa
Canakkale
Edirne
Kocaeli-izmit
Kirklareli
Sakarya
Tekirdag
Yalova
Istanbul
Aegean Region
Afyon
Aydin
Denizli
Kutahya
Manisa
Mugla
Usak
Izmir
Black Sea Region
Amasya
Artvin
Bartin
Bayburt
Bolu
Cankiri
Duzce
Giresun
Gumushane
Karabuk
Kastamonu
Ordu
Rize
Samsun
Sinop
Tokat
Trabzon
Zonguldak
The Mediterranean
Adana
Antalya
Burdur
Hatay
Isparta
Kahramanmaras
Osmaniye
Icel
Central Anatolia
Aksaray
Ankara
Corum
Eskisehir
Karaman
Kayseri
Konya
Kirikkale
Kirsehir
Nevsehir
Nigde
Sivas
Yozgat
East Anatolia
Agri
Ardahan
Bingol
Bitlis
Elazig
Erzincan
Erzurum
Hakkari
Igdir
Kars
Malatya
Mus
Tunceli
Van
South East Anatolia
Adiyaman
Batman
Diyarbakir
Gaziantep
Kilis
Mardin
Sanliurfa
Siirt
Sirnak
|
Aegean Region
Many would agree that the coastal region of the Aegean has some of the
most stunning views in the country and, in the words of Heredotus, "have
the most beautiful sky and the best climate in the world." The bays
peninsulas, and golden beaches stretchthe length of coastline and this
region was also the venue of countless mythological events. There are
remains of ancient cities including Troy, immortalised by Homer, and
Pergamum, the art and cultural centre and capital of one of the most
powerfulkingdoms at the time.
The provinces in the Aegean region are Afyon, Aydin, Denizli, Izmir,
Kutahya, Manisa, Mugla and Usak.Situated in Edremit bay is Ayvalik, the
meeting point of the sea, the theraputic springs of Akcay, and pine
forests, which has been dubbed the olive-grove Riviera. To the south are
countless resorts, then further south is Foca, famous for the
heroicTurkish sailors who were based here. Sardis, the capital of the
wealthy Lydian king Croesus, is a small detour inland.Located in a
narrow bay, Izmir is a modern city and the third largest in Turkey, as
well as the major part on the Aegean. It brims with life and is a busy
commercial centre, with broad boulevards and modern architecture,
combined with the traditionalred-tiled roofs of the old houses in the
bazaar area. The peninsula of Çesme with its brilliant waters, superb
beaches and thermal springs, lies to the west of Izmir.Among the most
famous cities of the ancient world, Ephesus was one of the biggest
during the Roman era. A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture,
Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking. The
Temple of Artemis, one of theseven wonders of the ancient world, as well
as countless statues, theatres, libraries, markets and smaller temples
were all architectural symbols of the city's fame. Further to the south
is the ancient city of Priene, built according to a geometricplan
designed by the great architect of Milet, Hippodamos.
Milet was a great centre of commerce and thought in the ancient world,
and was the venue of many significant developments, scientific and
intellectual. The nearby Didim, though not one of theancient cities, is
still famous for its magnificent temple dedicated to Apollo.On the Izmir-Antalya
road, Aphrodisias (Geyre) was an important centre for culture and art
famous for its training in sculpture. On the same road is the world-famous
Pamukkale, with its calcium-rich thermal waters flowing out of the
mountain whichhave, over centuries, created an extraordinary
geographical phenomenon of white marble terraces. The ruins of the
ancient city of Hierapolis lie behind this.The best known holiday
resorts in this area are Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca, Koycegiz and Fethiye,
and private boats can be chartered to explore the bays of the south
Aegean, immortalised in the book Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voayge). Bodrum (ancient
Halikarnas)is the birthplace of the great historian Heredotus. The
mausoleum of King Mausolos was considered one of the seven wonders of
the ancient world. Marmaris is a lively resort with a modern marina
surrounded by lush mountains and crystal-clear waters,and further south
is the bay of Oludeniz, famous for watersports and paragliding, and the
coastal town of Fethiye.
|
|