The Vibrant History & Culture of Turkey

As the Bush Administration's push for war against Iraq gains momentum, the people of Turkey get more and more uneasy. Bridging the landscape between Europe and Asia, Turkey shares part of its southern border with Iraq. This puts them uncomfortably close to the battle zone, making the Turkish nation a political and strategic hot spot. Already, its location has significantly affected talks among NATO members, as Turkey knows such a war would severely undermine the nation's vitality with the imminent waves of refugees and loss of tourism and trading dollars.

Although this nation suffered violent skirmishes between local rebels and Turkish authorities in 1999, along with some negative effects from U.S. air strikes on Afghanistan since 2001, those impacts would likely pale in comparison to the fallout from a U.S. war on Iraq.

With Turkey's long history and rich culture, it's no wonder they're nervous over what they risk losing. Located between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, for millennia this region has thrived as a trading and cultural center. Travelers can see signs of its past from its ancient fortresses and mosques to its spice bazaars to its arts, and to its mix of traditional and contemporary lifestyles.

In this week's lesson you'll be traveling to Turkey to take in the sights, history and culture of this region. So grab your gear, and let's get going!

Scope Out the Scene

Before we get on the ground, you'll need to do some prep work on some of the sights to see, as well as how to get into the country and how to get around. Begin by stopping at Lonely Planet's Destinations office and browse through the Turkey brochure, which will provide a good overview of where you'll be traveling. After reading the introduction to the area, click Next at the bottom of the page to move through the topics.

Make sure to read up on Facts for the Traveler, to figure out what kind of paperwork and vaccinations you might need, and note some of Turkey's national events including the Muslim holidays. On the Money & Costs page, you'll get an idea of how Turkey's money stacks up to the U.S. dollar. What is their form of currency called? Also, use the site's map of the region as a handy reference. What is Turkey's capital? Where is Istanbul located? What other countries are nearby?

In the Attractions, Off the Beaten Track, and Activities sections, you'll get a taste of the country's most prominent natural and human-made landmarks and tourism areas. Sample two or more choices from each section that interest you.

And, since it's always good to know about the history and lifestyles of any place you're going to visit, stop by Lonely Planet's History and Culture sections. Who were some of the early peoples that lived in this region? What ways was the Byzantine Empire different from the Ottoman Empire? What was significant about the War of Independence? Afterward, what kinds of social and political issues had to be settled -- some of which remain in dispute -- for Turkey to become a more cohesive, democratic nation? How has the region's history shaped its music, dance, and other forms of art over the years?

Explore the Scenery

The best place to immerse yourself in Turkish landmarks, history and culture is through the country's Ministry of Tourism. Begin at the section labeled Turkey, where you can explore a variety of topics in-depth.

Take a long visit to some of the nation's Regions, like the Aegean, the Black Sea, and the Marmara. Wherever you explore, you'll learn a lot about the local area and its history.

For a deeper dig into the landscapes themselves, ramble down the Geography trail. For a similar look into how the country has changed politically and socially over time, check out the History section. And, of course, don't forget to soak in Turkey's rich artistic flavors -- browse through the Culture and Art galleries for a peek.

Reach further into the country's cities through the Ministry's Destination tours. Travel to the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, take a hike to the thermal waters of Pamukkale, or maybe you'd like to visit Yalvac, Turkey's center of "Faith Tourism." Also check out some of the Activities you can enjoy while you're in the neighborhood, such as Spelunking, Underwater Diving, and following the ancient trading route known as the Silk Road.

Now that you've toured the cities, countrysides, beaches and other interesting historical marks of social, political and artistic influences and events, it's time to return home. As you reflect on your adventures in Turkey, can you identify how some aspects were similar or different compared to where and how you live?

In what ways and to what degree do you think such major disturbances as a war on Iraq could affect its neighbor's daily routines, cultural expression, and economy? Which parts of the the country could be more severely affected than others and why? How do you think Turkey's history -- through other types of political, military and social change -- and the nature of its society may help its people endure such impacts?

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Newspaper Activities

Review issues of Targetnewspaper for stories related to Turkey. Is the news about the country's relationship to other nations, such as those belonging to NATO, the European Union or the United Nations? Alternatively, does the news highlight a proposal, statement or political position offered by Turkish officials? How do you think Turkey's history, culture and economics relates to why they're in the news? In what ways do the region's daily news events directly and indirectly affect Turkey's citizens? Is one particular region of the country suffering greater impacts than others? If so, why?