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| PRE GREEK/ROMAN PERIOD | |||
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Life in Anatolia began in the Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic), which was followed by the Bronze Age (3000 - 1200 BC). Then came the HITTITE time (1200 - 700 BC), the PHRYGIAN, LYDIA and IONIAN states (700 - 500 BC) and afterwards the PERSIAN PERIOD and Alexander the Great until 330 BC. | ||
| GREEK / ROMAN PERIOD | |||
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The HELLENISTIC PERIOD (330 - 30 BC) was followed by
the ROMAN PERIOD (30 BC - AD 330). More info about remains of this period at: LALEs AEGEAN AREA PAGE | ||
| AFTER THE GREEK / ROMAN PERIOD | |||
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After the break up of the Roman empire, the BYZANTINE period started in 330 and Christianity came to Anatolia
Anatolia became a Turkish land for good (the SELCUK period), this period was followed by the OTTOMAN period in 1299, which period was ended by ATATÜRK in 1923. 
ATATÜRK, the founder of the Turkish Republic, laid the roots for the modern Turkey of today:a lot of changes were ment to bring Turkey closer to Europe: f.i. he changed the alphabet from Arab to the European alphabet and he changed the calender from Arab to the European one. more info about MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK | ||
| TRADITIONAL TURKISH MUSIC | |||
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Although the oriental dance is thought of as typically turkish, it is just something that is inherited from the arab neighbors. In the Aegean area the ZEYBEK is danced; an example of the music is: ZEYBEK from AYDIN Specific turkish music is best heard at a wedding. f.i. oyoy eminem and çökertme Another famous song (not from EARTHA KITT) is: Üsküdar'a giderken... And of course the turkish national hymn: More info on music: Turkish music from Mehmet Göktürk | ||
| MODERN TURKISH MUSIC | |||
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To hear where to go for modern turkish music: Bodrum Bodrum from MAZHAR FUAT ÖZKAN Other popular singers: PADISAH from SIBEL CAN SIMARIK from TARKAN OSMAN from BARIS MANÇO | ||
| More info on music: Turkish music from Mehmet Göktürk | |||
| TURKS and EDUCATION | |||
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The turkish race came after a long time of wandering from somewhere near Mongolia towards Vienna ! Still turk people are living in states like TÜRKMENISTAN and they speak a language that is very simular to turkish. The Turkish character : The people are friendly and helpful, and ready to share their food with you; the old tradition is that hospitality is a matter of honor (a stranger is treated as a guest send from God) and that you hurt their feelings if you refuse their offer. These feelings are still very strong among the turkish people in rural areas, but are also often met in more touristic surroundings. | ||
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The children wear a school uniform when they go to school. A different colour of uniform for every type of school: red for the little ones, blue for the primary school ( ilk okul ) and later on the boys wear grey trousers and a blue jacket while the girls wear a frock of some Scottish design. Sinds 1997 there is an obligatory 8 year school system for all the children (5 years in primary school followed by 3 years at secondary school. some explanation on the Turkish Language | ||
| AGRICULTURE | |||
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 citrus fruits sun flowers (to eat) and other flowers | ||
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cotton f.i. for all the jeans | ||
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further olives, tobacco, raisins, nuts, seeds | ||
| TURKISH CUISINE | |||
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LALEs TURKISH CUISINE PAGE | ||
| TURKISH CARPETS | |||
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KILIMS and CARPETS made of lamb's wool and / or silk examples of some well known kilims and carpets:
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| ISLAM | |||
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 98% of the people living in Turkey is müslüman / Muslim. In the East the rules of the Koran are more strictly followed than in the West. 5 times a day the imam asks the people to come and pray by saying that Allah / God is great and that Mohammed is his prophet. There are people that go to the cami / mosc 5 times a day, but also a lot that go ones a week at friday midday; and some that go only on holy days. Also the religion forbids to use alcohol, this rule is often forgotten; not forgotten is the rule not to eat pigs meat; but maybe a good principal in such a warm climate. Another rule is that the boys have to be circumcised; when they are approx. 10 years this happening usually takes place, as part of a big party at which the little boys are dressed like kings.  MEVLANA, one of the greatest philosophers and poets of the Islamic world, was born in 1200 in Afghanistan but came later to Konya, to teach madrasa sciences (jurisprudence, tradition and theology). | ||
| TURKISH POLITICS | |||
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After a period in which Tansu Ciller and her DYP had a cooperation with the (a bit too) religious Refah, a more liberal and socialistic government was ruling under Mesut Yilmaz and Bülent Ecevit. Süleyman Demirel is the President. Awaiting the results of the selection of April 99 Bülent Ecevit is ruling Turkey at the moment. More up to date information on Turkish Politics. | ||
| TOURISM | |||
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Aegean region info at:LALEs AEGEAN AREA PAGE Holiday tips at:LALEs HOLIDAY TIPS PAGE | ||
| WATER | |||
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Not very often water is fetched in this way anymore; although it is still kept in cisterns or tanks sometimes.  in a GÜMBET rainwater is stored Normally every house has a connection to the city water supply and water and energy come nowadays also from barrages. Sailing areas to be seen at: LALEs SAILING AREAS PAGE | ||
| WATER SPORTS and SURF PARADISE | |||
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Swimming, diving, (water)skiing, paraglyding, canoeing, rafting, tracking, surfing, horse riding, sailing, mountain climbing. Sailing ofcourse with boats from:LALE YACHTING | ||
| FASHION | |||
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Bathing suits from ZEKI, new designs of ÖZBEK, clothes of BENETTON and NAF NAF jeans from LEVIS. all are made in Turkey | ||
| LEATHER | |||
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Good quality leather for not too high prices can be found. | ||
| GOLD, SILVER, COPPER and JEWELERY | |||
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Not only in museums but also in a shop to buy, a lot of nice and low priced jewelry. | ||
| TURKISH ART and ARCHITECTURE | |||
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paintings and poets 
CEVAT ŞAKIR KABAAĞAÇLI, fisherman of Halicarnassos, the great poet:
| info on TURKISH ARCHITECTURE | |
THIS SITES LAST UPDATE WAS ON 2003-14-14 
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KILIMs or flat weaves
CARPETS from YAGCIBEDIR and BERGAMA
Brown/yellow coloured carpets form MILAS.
Silken carpets from HEREKE were first made for the palace of the sultan.
ceramics and famous Kütahya porselain
'home arts" 
boncuk : brings happiness