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@ Aerial, daytime view of Ankara
Aquarius begins his tour of "Turkey: Central Anatolia". Merhaba nasılsınız!
Aerial, daytime view of Ankara
Government is the main business in this capital city, but it is also the second most important industrial city after Istanbul. Ankara is the center for the performing arts, home to the State Opera and Ballet, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and several national theatre companies. Ankara originated from the Celtic word of Ancyra, meaning Anchor.

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@ Old Tiled Rooftops, Ankara
"Wow! Did you know that Turkey leads the world in tea consumption, Mini?" queried Aquarius. "The vast majority of the population drinks at least one cup of tea per day. Turkish tea is served in small tulip-shaped glasses."
"Do they drink more than they do in England, Aquarius?" asked Mini interestedly.
"The United Kingdom is fourth in the list of countries by tea consumption per capita. The Republic of Ireland is second."
Old Tiled Rooftops, Ankara
Traditional wooden houses with red clay roof tiles. Building materials that are cheaper and have better insulating qualities are now being used, so these red-tiled rooftops could become a sight of the past.

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@ Mosque, Interior Dome, Ankara
“What have you got in your tote bag, Flutterbye?” asked Tweety Pi. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for cold weather, Tweety Pi,” responded Flutterbye. “There’s galoshes, snow boots, Wellington boots, a pair of grippy things, some ear muffs—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Mosque, Interior Dome, Ankara
Not all mosques have domes. If there is a dome it possesses significance within the mosque—as a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven.

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@ Fresh Produce, Bazaar, Turkey
"Wow! Did you know that Turkey leads the world in tea consumption, Itchy?" queried Aquarius. "The vast majority of the population drinks at least one cup of tea per day. Turkish tea is served in small tulip-shaped glasses."
"Do they drink more than they do in England, Aquarius?" asked Itchy interestedly.
"The United Kingdom is fourth in the list of countries by tea consumption per capita. The Republic of Ireland is second."
Fresh Produce, Bazaar, Turkey
You would have no problem getting your daily quota of fruit and vegetables in Turkey. This is a typical market and it can get very lively with people pushing and vendors yelling out what they have on offer that day. Enjoy the fun and grab some fresh food for a picnic.

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@ Ankara Castle, Turkey
"It says here that the name 'turquoise' actually comes from Turkey and it means ‘Turkish stone’. 'The beautiful mineral came to Europe from the Orient via Turkey and is one of the oldest gemstones in history. They were first used as amulets by Turkish soldiers'," read out Aquarius from the tour guide.
"I'll add it to my list of ideal souvenirs!" announced Abby.
Aquarius sniffed. "It would be more classy than that flip-flop fridge magnet you bought from the bazaar yesterday!"
Ankara Castle, Turkey
This castle is a historic fortification in the city of Ankara and one of the oldest sites in Ankara. It was founded in the 8th century BC by the Phrygians and rebuilt in 278 BC by the Galatians. The castle has had several renovations, in the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman eras. The fortification takes up the entire peak overlooking the city and is around 43 square kilometres (16.7 square miles) and has 20 towers around its exterior wall.

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@ View Overlooking Ankara, Evening
Aquarius put down his menu. "I'm going for the Etli ekmek, Sweetums! It says it's similar to pizza, and is a thin, crispy flatbread. I'll have mine with extra cheese on top."
Sweetums glanced up from her study of the bill of fare. "I agree. It says it's a speciality of Konya, so let's go for it!"
View Overlooking Ankara, Evening
Grab some tea and head up high to relax and enjoy this splendid view of Ankara. Maybe bring a blanket, this looks like the ideal spot to view some stars.

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@ Ankara, Capital City, Turkey
Aquarius and Dave shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Aquarius. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Dave. “This is my best side.”
Ankara, Capital City, Turkey
Ankara, historically known as Ancyra and Angora, is the capital of Turkey Ankara is located in Central Anatolia, and has a population of 5.5 million, as of 2019. Turkey's second-largest city with Istanbul being the largest. The historical center of Ankara is a rocky hill rising 150 m (500 ft) over the left bank of the Ankara River, upon which sits the ruins of the ancient Ankara Castle. Ankara covers a total area of 2,516 square kilometres (971 square miles).

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@ Kizilirmak River, near Ankara
Oh look ... you found a picturesque rock!
Kizilirmak River, near Ankara
Kizilirmak, Turkish for Red River, also known as Halys River, is the longest river that is entirely in Turkey at 1,355 km (842 mi).

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@ Hot air balloon at Tuz Gölü, Turkey
“Where are we now, Aquarius?” asked Choose a name.
"If it's Tuesday this must be Anatolia!" joked Aquarius. "Only kidding—let me check the map!"
Hot air balloon at Tuz Gölü, Turkey
Tuz Gölü is the second largest lake in Turkey. It is the breeding ground for the largest colony of Great Flamingoes in the world. The lake is fed by two streams and has a high saline content. Hot air balloon rides are very popular in Turkey and give a great view of the landscape. They start very early in the morning, at 5 am.

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@ Haciveyiszade Mosque, Konya
“Oh wow, Aquarius, there's a butterfly!” Choose a name cried out.
“It looks like a Anatolian Zephyr Blue," replied Aquarius knowledgeably.
Haciveyiszade Mosque, Konya
Haciveyiszade Mosque is a mosque located in the center of the city of Konya, Turkey, It was built in memory of Haciveyiszade Mustafa Kurucu Hoca Efendi, one of the renowned religious scholars of Konya. As of 2012, there are 3,046 Mosques in Konya.

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@ Mevlana Museum, Konya
"Don't you just love the variety of fruit you get everywhere, Aquarius?" asked Molly.
"Yup, and especially the fresh juice which can be bought from street vendors. You choose your pieces of fruit and they juice it right in front of you. This morning I had pomegranate, kiwi and orange. It was really delicious!"
Mevlana Museum, Konya
Konya, is a city, south of Ankara, in Turkey’s Central Anatolia region. The museum, with its distinctive green conical dome, is the tomb of the 13th-century philosopher, poet, and religious leader Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, who was the founder of the whirling dervish sect of Sufism. Attached to the tomb is the Dervish Lodge. Konya is a pilgrimage destination for Sufis.

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@ Selimiye Mosque, Konya
“Let's practise our phrases," said Trish, clutching her copy of Turkish for Tourists. "How do you say 'goodbye'?"
"That's an easy one—Güle güle!” said Aquarius, beaming happily.
"Is that how it's pronounced?" queried Trish suspiciously.
"What, goolay goolay? Yup! I asked the tour guide earlier!"
Selimiye Mosque, Konya
This 16th-century mosque in Konya, Turkey was built next to the tomb of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, which is now a museum. Construction of the mosque was started in 1558 and was completed in 1567. Its founder was Sultan Selim II, who endowed the mosque while he was still an Ottoman prince.

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@ Waterfall, Konya
Aquarius put down his menu. "I'm going for the Etli ekmek, Winter! It says it's similar to pizza, and is a thin, crispy flatbread. I'll have mine with extra cheese on top."
Winter glanced up from her study of the bill of fare. "I agree. It says it's a speciality of Konya, so let's go for it!"
Waterfall, Konya
Konya, historically known as Iconium, is a major city in south-central Turkey, located on the southwestern edge of the Central Anatolian Plain. Turkey is surrounded by water on three sides and with a plateau reaching 1000-1500 m, there are many waterfalls. The water level in most of the waterfalls varies significantly between summer and winter, in summer many of the waterfalls will have dried up.

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@ Snowy Mountains, Konya
“Where are we now, Aquarius?” asked Tesla.
"If it's Tuesday this must be Anatolia!" joked Aquarius. "Only kidding—let me check the map!"
Snowy Mountains, Konya
In Konya, the weather in summers is dry and warm, and very cold, snowy and cloudy in winter. There are 285 mountains, which have been given a name, in Konya. Aydos Dagi is the highest.

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@ Stone Bridge, Konya
Oh look ... you found a picturesque rock!
Stone Bridge, Konya
Outside the city of Konya, the small village of Sille Subasi this stone bridge was built in volcanic rock formations during the Ottoman era. Turkey is home to 13 volcanoes, most are dormant though the area is prone to earthquakes which can activate a volcano that has been dormant for centuries.

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@ Overlooking Konya, Night
Aquarius and Nutsy Mouse shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Aquarius. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Nutsy Mouse. “This is my best side.”
Overlooking Konya, Night
Konya is a very conservative city so there is no real nightlife. After a day of sightseeing, you can listen to modern music or dance in clubs found only in Hotels, or go for a relaxing stroll in Kultar Park, with its illuminated fountain that overlooks the Haciveyiszade Mosque.

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@ Traditional Handmade Copper Coffee Pots
Aquarius put down his menu. "I'm going for the Etli ekmek, Rainbow! It says it's similar to pizza, and is a thin, crispy flatbread. I'll have mine with extra cheese on top."
Rainbow glanced up from her study of the bill of fare. "I agree. It says it's a speciality of Konya, so let's go for it!"
Traditional Handmade Copper Coffee Pots
Copper coffee pots, called “cezve” in Turkish, are tin-lined so the hot coffee does not leach copper into the beverage. A small amount of copper is good (1mg a day) but too much is toxic.

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@ Fringed Tulip
"Hey, Aquarius, did you know the famous Gordian Knot, which was untangled by Alexander the Great, was in Ankara?"
"I thought he cut through it to save time, didn't he, Rianna? I bet the other wannabe empire builders felt very silly when he did it! Sort of, why didn't I think of that?"
Rianna looked disapproving. "Perhaps it wasn't quite in the spirit of the contest."
Fringed Tulip
The tulip is Turkey's national flower. Tulips were brought by Turks from Central Asia to Anatolia during the Turkic migration. The tulip became an important symbol in art, poems, and stories. The Fringed Tulip is relatively new and the fluffy fringe around the top can be the same colour as the rest of the flower, or contrasting colour.

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@ Göreme Open Air Museum, Nevsehir, Turkey
“Where are we now, Aquarius?” asked Fyzbana.
"If it's Tuesday this must be Anatolia!" joked Aquarius. "Only kidding—let me check the map!"
Göreme Open Air Museum, Nevsehir, Turkey
The Göreme Open Air Museum is the number one place to visit in Cappadocia. The story of the valley started in the 4th century AD, in the early Christian periods. Well preserved rock-cut churches, chapels and monasteries, with frescoes and paintings, featuring some of the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. Within the region, there are over 600 churches hidden in the soft rock. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1985.

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@ Dovecotes at Uçhisar, Cappadocia
"Did you know Turkey has 13 World Heritage Sites, Chipilona?"
"Really? What are they, Aquarius?"
"They range from a Mesolithic temple Göbekli Tepe, a Biblical city (Ephesus) to a World War One battlefield (Gallipoli)."
"No wonder it's such a popular place with visitors, Aquarius!"
Dovecotes at Uçhisar, Cappadocia
Uçhisar is a settlement in Cappadocia, an ancient region in Nevsehir Province, Turkey. Cappadocia is famous for its pigeons, and dovecotes have been hollowed out in the upper cliffs around each valley in the area. Pigeons need water to digest the grain they have in their craw/crop, so the dovecotes are built near a source of water. The pigeon is a symbol of peace and devotion to the family, also pigeon excrement was used as fertilizer.

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@ Great Mosque, Divrigi, Sivas
"Don't you just love the variety of fruit you get everywhere, Aquarius?" asked zora.
"Yup, and especially the fresh juice which can be bought from street vendors. You choose your pieces of fruit and they juice it right in front of you. This morning I had pomegranate, kiwi and orange. It was really delicious!"
Great Mosque, Divrigi, Sivas
Divrigi Great Mosque and Hospital is an ornately decorated mosque and two-story hospital complex built in 1228–1229, in the small town of Divrigi, now in Sivas Province, central-eastern Turkey. This building is considered one of the most important in Anatolia and was put on Unesco’s World Heritage list in 1985.

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@ Turkish mansion, Sivas
Oh look ... you found a picturesque rock!
Turkish mansion, Sivas
A beautiful room in a Turkish mansion. Traditional furniture, tea/coffee small tables with painted tops, Turkish rugs with their geometric designs and bright colours. The object in the middle of the room is most likely a brass incense burner. A lovely room to relax or entertain in.

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@ Fringed Tulip Field, Turkey
"It says in our brochure that Turkey is noted for having one of the three most famous and distinctive traditional cuisines in the world, Aquarius," remarked Midnite.
"I can believe that, Midnite! What are the other two, by the way?"
"It doesn't say, actually. Still, I think we can guess!"
Fringed Tulip Field, Turkey
The tulip was discovered in the mountains of Kazakhstan. Tulipa is the botanical name of this flower and is derived from the Turkish word "Tülbend" or "turban", which the flower resembles. It's considered to be the King of Bulbs.

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@ Anatolian Green-underside Blue
"Wow! Did you know that Turkey leads the world in tea consumption, Fflam?" queried Aquarius. "The vast majority of the population drinks at least one cup of tea per day. Turkish tea is served in small tulip-shaped glasses."
"Do they drink more than they do in England, Aquarius?" asked Fflam interestedly.
"The United Kingdom is fourth in the list of countries by tea consumption per capita. The Republic of Ireland is second."
Anatolian Green-underside Blue
Turkey has more than 380 species of butterfly, the highest richness of butterflies than any other European country. There is even a butterfly valley, home to approximately 100 species of butterfly.

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@ Traditional Teas, Bazaar, Turkey
As Aquarius's tour of "Turkey: Central Anatolia" comes to an end, he receives a wonderful gift!
Grey Mountain, Single Peak
Jagged, steep, rounded, tree-filled or bare, snow-covered or subject to torrential rains—mountains are an outstanding feature on the landscape, they draw the eye, they inspire artists and climbers. Mountains affect the weather and can enclose an area of land creating valleys that are rich agricultural areas. Poems are written about mountains. Mountains are a haven for eagles and many forms of wildlife.

These marvellous mountain decorations will be perfect in your art slides whether you are making a mountain retreat for yourself or a home for your pets. Perhaps you have a pet who has always dreamed of going on a climbing expedition and making it to the top of the highest mountain. Used singly as a point of interest, or in multiples to create a whole mountain range, let your imagination soar.
Traditional Teas, Bazaar, Turkey
A great selection of aromatic tea and spiced teas. Tea is the drink of choice nowadays, but this was not the case pre-WW2, coffee was. After WW2 coffee became too expensive and the government encouraged people to grow tea, since it could be grown in Turkey. Now Turkey is in the top 5 countries of tea producers, and tea drinkers. Turkey does not export much tea as nearly all the tea is consumed there.
Aquarius has completed his tour of "Turkey: Central Anatolia"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour Scandinavia!