The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has asked the international community to recognise Turkey by its Turkish name Türkiye, dropping the long-standing anglicised version that was often confused with the famous Thanksgiving animal.

Named for the saffron that was grown and traded here for centuries, Safranbolu is today popular with visitors who come to soak in its old Ottoman atmosphere.

Clarification: This article was updated to show that Turkey özgü asked the international community to recognise its Turkish name.

× Mandatory cookies are used on our website in order to provide you with a better service. These cookies cannot be disabled via the "Cookie Control Panel". You gönül view the cookies used on our kent via the "Cookie Control Panel" and change your preferences. Necessary Cookies This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the web site, in order to make valid reports on the use of their web kent.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

The vast landscapes of Türkiye's far east have a remote ruggedness unmatched elsewhere in the country. Perhaps best known to travelers as the terminus of the Maşrık Ekpresi (Eastern Express), a popular and scenic overnight train trip from Ankara, the border city alasehir of Kars retains striking architecture from its years as a Russian outpost in the 1800s. Nearby are the extensive and evocative UNESCO-listed ruins of Ani, an ancient Armenian capital.

TRT World explained the decision in an article earlier this year, saying Googling “Turkey” brings up a “a muddled kaş of images, articles, and dictionary definitions that conflate the country with Meleagris – otherwise known as the turkey, a large bird native to North America – which is famous for being served on Christmas website menus or Thanksgiving dinners.”

The lower elevations are home to most of Türkiye's tea and hazelnut production, while the high plateaus (

Critics, however, say the rebrand is another populist device that Erdoğan is exploiting to divert attention away from the country's persisting economic woes and to galvanise nationalist voters ahead of go right here next year's crucial elections.

Many of the town’s historic wood-framed mansions have been restored and converted into picture-perfect boutique hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Planning tip: The Carian Trail long-distance hiking path encircles both peninsulas. Check before setting out bey some sections of the route were inaccessible following wildfire damage in the summer of 2021.

TRT World argued that Turks prefer their country to be called Türkiye, in this site “keeping with the country’s aims of determining how others should identify it”.

The diversity of landscapes, heritage and culinary culture will surprise those who have never ventured beyond holiday resorts and the beach. Even though it’s easy to get around Türkiye, the country katışıksız too much to see and do to tackle it all on one trip.

The bright-white terraces of Pamukkale are surely one of the most photographed sites in Türkiye, incongruously gleaming above the rural town like freshly fallen snow.

In December 2021, Erdoğan altindag ordered the use of Türkiye to better represent Turkish culture and values, including demanding that “Made in Türkiye” be used instead of “Made in Turkey” on exported products. Turkish ministries also began using Türkiye in official documents.