There are numerous lakes and some, such as Lake Van, are as large as inland seas. Turkey enjoys a variety of cli mates, changing from the temperate climate of the Black Sea region, to the continen tal climate of the interior, then, to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Medi terranean coastal regions. From the days of Catalhoyuk up to the present time Turkey boasts of a rich culture that through the centuries has made a lasting impression on modern civilization. The heir to many centuries of cultures makes Turkey a paradise of information and cultural wealth. Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans have all held important places in Turkey's history, and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof to each civilization's unique distinction.
Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history.
Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal, who was a soldier by occupation but a great visionary in character, took the defeat of World War I and turned it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey of all foreign invaders. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the the Republic of Turkey on the 29th of October, 1923. He led his country into peace and stability, with tremendous economic growth and complete modernization. Turkey site has been composed with the help of different publications of the Turkey Tourist Office.