20 Fun Facts About Turkey You Should Know

If you ask the SIMOVO team, Turkey is absolutely one of our favourite destinations to visit (and that’s covering lots of ground)! If you’ve been following our online journal lately, you’ll have noticed we’ve tapped into some of the nation’s tastiest dishes and shown you how to plan the perfect Turkey itinerary. 

Right now, however, we’re going to share some fascinating facts about Turkey that might just surprise you - so, whether you’re planning to visit soon or are already making good use of an eSIM for Asia, here are some trivia tidbits about the ancient nation.

Interesting facts about Turkey you should know about

Did you know that Turkey spans two continents? What about its world-famous coffee being recognized by UNESCO? Keep reading for more surprises…

Istanbul spans two continents

Istanbul, Turkey is completely unique in that it is the only city on the planet that is technically in two different continents at once! Depending on where you go in Istanbul, you’ll either be in Europe or Asia. It’s a great reason why Turkey is such a major crossroads for international adventuring.

It’s all the more reason, then, to grab an eSIM for Europe just in case you wander onto the European side of the city!

Turquoise gets its name from Turkey

Yes, believe it or not, the blueish-green color actually refers to the Pierre Torque, or Turkish Stone, specifically tying in with gems that have been traded across the Silk Road many centuries ago.

Santa Claus was originally from Turkey

The world-famous, jolly old man who delivers presents to children everywhere each December derives from the legend of St. Nicholas, a man who used wealth to improve the lives of poor children across Turkey! Santa Claus as we know him today is a completely different figure from the sainted Turkish gentleman of centuries past.

Tulips originated in Turkey, not the Netherlands

Don’t share this one too loudly around Dutch people, but it’s absolutely true that the tulip has origins in central Asia! In fact, it was Turkish cultivators who started growing the blooms centuries ago, which eventually led to the establishment of tulip festivals! It wasn’t until the 16th century that tulips made it deeper into Europe.

Turkey is home to the ancient city of Troy

The legendary city of Troy is one you’ve probably heard of many a time, it being the setting for an epic love story (and, sadly, a pretty mediocre movie!). But where was Troy actually based? Given that you’re midway through reading a guide to fun facts about Turkey… we’ll let you get away with a single guess.

Göbekli Tepe is older than Stonehenge

If you thought Stonehenge in the UK was pretty old, then let Turkey, again, change your expectations and surprise you! Archaeology fans will be fascinated to learn that the Belly Hill or stone enclosure of Göbekli Tepe is much older than Stonehenge - by a staggering 6,000 years!

Turkish coffee is recognized by UNESCO

UNESCO doesn’t just recognize landmarks, but cultural cornerstones that have changed the world, too. And, you’ll hear many people say how rich the coffee in Turkey is - and UNESCO added it to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage back in 2013. How do you think your Starbucks latte matches up? 

Cappadocia has ancient underground cities

Back to archaeology, and again to UNESCO protection! Cappadocia, in Nevsehir, refers to incredible underground communities that were excavated here hundreds of years ago! It’s thought that they were dug out and established by way of protecting innocent citizens from attacks during the Arab-Byzantine wars of the 8th to 12th centuries.

Turkey has more than 80,000 mosques

Turkey is a Muslim-majority nation, meaning it will come as no surprise that there are thousands of mosques across the country. It’s thought there are more than 82,000 mosques nationwide, with Istanbul being home to over 3,000. Even Tunceli, which reportedly has the fewest mosques per province in Turkey, still has 117!

Istanbul is known as the world’s unofficial cat capital

If you’re a pet lover, you’ll be right at home in “Catstanbul”, where you’ll find felines wandering throughout the city’s streets. It’s estimated there are tens of thousands of well-cared-for cats in the city, with plenty of dogs, too - it’s potentially thought to be partially down to felines’ famous cleanliness.

The world’s first coins were minted in Turkey

Yes, Turkey got there first as far as physical cash was concerned! It’s thought that the Kingdom of Lydia, which was part of Ancient Greece (now modern-day Turkey), minted coins around 600 BC. That said, gold and other precious metals have been used for trading many, many years before - it’s just Turkey got there first when it came to pocket change.

Whirling dervishes perform centuries old rituals

Turkey is host to many ancient rituals and ceremonies, and among them are the displays of the Mevlevi Order, or the Whirling Dervishes. These physical, public ceremonies help to demonstrate spiritual journeys that have been important to the people of Turkey for hundreds of years.

Turkey has one of the world’s oldest spice markets

Turkey’s absolutely enormous Grand Bazaar is reportedly one of the oldest on the planet, and it’s packed full of fascinating trinkets - you have your pick of more than 4,000 different stalls here across 60 different trading streets!

Cappadocia launches hundreds of hot air balloons

Heading above ground in Cappadocia now, this corner of Turkey plays host to some truly amazing hot air balloon festivals. If you can get up high on the hills or rooftops, you can see hundreds regularly shooting up into the sky in the early hours of the morning.

Mount Nemrut features giant stone heads

Mount Nemrut’s curious stone heads, belonging to the ancient Kingdom of Commagene, remain some of the most puzzling artifacts in Turkey, period. Listed by UNESCO and referred to as the Eighth Wonder of The World, historians are still genuinely baffled by how exactly these huge monuments came to be.

Turkey is famous for its traditional Turkish breakfast

Ever had a Turkish breakfast before? Beyond traditional tea and coffee, you can expect a tasty mix of olives, cured meat, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, bread, honey, cucumber, and more. It’s the black tea that really hits the spot, though!

The evil eye symbol is widely used across Turkey

The evil eye symbol is an important and imposing sign that you’ll spot across Turkey, commonly used to help stave off evil energies. It dates back thousands of years and has importance in a variety of cultures, but you’ll find it on all kinds of properties, vehicles, and clothing across Turkey. 

Early Christian communities lived in Turkish cave dwellings

Historians peeking inside the landscapes of Cappadocia revealed that many people sought sanctuary in hollowed-out rock, with ancient monastic activities reportedly taking place within. It’s thought Christian activity dating back more than a millennium and a half took place here.

Turkey has beaches vital to endangered sea turtles

Turkey is, of course, also famous for its spectacular coast! There are beaches in Fethiye, for example, where there is extensive ongoing work being undertaken to protect sea turtles who arrive, nest, and lay eggs. Unfortunately, developments on some of these beaches have disrupted nesting activities, meaning conservation attempts are ongoing.

Turkey is home to one of the oldest known cities in history

And lastly, to an ancient fact - Turkey has beaten lots of nations and communities to the punch on many things, and city building is one of them! Çatalhöyük, believe it or not, is said to be more than 9,000 years old, and it was thought to have withstood 2,000 of those years as a thriving community!

We hope these fun facts about Turkey have done some good work in introducing you to this ancient, beautiful nation! Now - book your flights, but not before grabbing an eSIM for Turkey to make sure you’re covered for mobile data!