Myths and Facts

The capital of Turkey is Ankara but Istanbul is the most tourist city.

For the most part, Turkey is a peaceful place to visit. Most crime is related to domestic violence and spousal disputes, which means that tourists only have to worry about tourist and taxi scams.

 The only dangerous part of Turkey is near the Syrian border. Tourists and locals avoid the country’s southern border due to the violent disputes that can cross into Turkey.

 Luckily, this danger is contained. Tourists are heavily warned against visiting the southern part of the country, with most organizations focusing their tourism in the north of the country.

As long as you watch your bag and don’t get in unmetered taxis, you’ll be safe following any Turkish itinerary in the north.

 

Turkey means “land of the Turks,” which referred to the people who lived in the Anatolia region. This was long before the discovery of the New World and the bird we now call the turkey.

 The bird actually gets its name from the country in another misconception. There was a bird in Turkey, a brown guinea fowl, that the Europeans named after the country where they were introduced to it. When they found the modern turkey in the New World, they assumed it was the same bird and named it the “turkey.” 

 Although the country gave the bird its name, they actually have no connection. Ironically, the Turkish people call the same bird the “Hindi” because of the misconception that North America was actually Eastern Asia.

In reality, there are no deserts in Turkey. The land is incredibly lush, filled with sprawling grass fields covered in ancient ruins.

 You won’t find any native camels in the country either. All of the camels in Turkey have been imported for tourists who expect a camel ride in the desert in Turkey.

 Perhaps the photos of Cappadocia and the brown columns of the Fairy Chimneys beneath hot air balloons aided the confusion. 

 Likely, the misconception came from the idea that all Middle Eastern countries are deserts.

 

Although 98.6% of the population is Muslim, Turkey is a secular nation with no religious requirements for its citizens.

 This is why, while you’ll find mosques and calls to prayer throughout Turkey, you’ll also find alcohol and nightclubs.

 Some smaller towns participate in Ramadan across the area, including changing store hours and not selling alcohol. Most major cities aren’t impacted by religious holidays or Islamic dietary requirements.

People believe the country enforces specific dress and behavior based on Islamic beliefs, which many Westerners consider strict or conservative.

 Turkey is a very liberal nation. There are a few cultural rules that foreigners need to follow to respect the nation’s beliefs.

Although the country allows alcohol, just as in most places, getting overly drunk is frowned upon.

Turkish women have a lot of freedom and are not controlled by their husbands. The nation’s gender dynamics may seem more conservative than in Western society, but the country is viewed as very liberal in the Islamic belief system.

 
You will find some conservative pockets of the country, especially in small towns, where people will not understand unmarried couples sharing rooms or women dressing in revealing clothing.

 No one will question you sharing a room with your boyfriend in major cities, which is considered unusual for such a predominantly-Muslim country.

Women in Turkey are free to choose how they would like to dress. Under their Islamic beliefs, they do not wear revealing clothing, but many wear Western clothes.

 Turkish women often opt to cover their heads as a sign of respect. Female tourists do not have to do the same unless visiting a mosque.

 Many female tourists assume that they must always dress in a burka or wear a headdress to fit in. They only need to wear modest, loose clothing to show respect for the citizen’s different religious beliefs.

The Fez was a historic piece of dress from the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century as part of a military uniform. It was a reaction to the European army’s outfits and strategies, which the Turks took inspiration from. They needed a unique moniker to set them apart, which led to the creation of the Fez.

 Nowadays, you’ll see the Fez in tourist districts for visitors to purchase or photograph.

 In reality, Turkish people do not wear the Fez in their day-to-day life. They wear modern clothing that would not attract tourists the way that the Fez does, which is why it has continued to be worn in tourist districts.

This idea probably came from Western society’s ignorance of the Muslim belief system.

 Turkish men practice monogamy, meaning they marry one wife, like in Western society.

 The fear created by Western media about Muslims has led to many of these claims that are not based on reality but impact peoples’ views. 

This belief probably connects to the idea that it is mostly desert and camels, with people still wearing 19th-century Fez around the country. Or the belief that Muslim people are not as advanced as the West.

 Turkey is a modern country with all of the advances in most European countries. Istanbul has an incredible metro system that makes the city very accessible. Most places in the country have internet access, with hotspots at cafes like in any other country.

 Although Turkey has its own unique sense of history and culture, you will find the trappings of modern life throughout the country.