 |
THE BLACK SEA
REGION
The
vibrant green of Turkey's lush, humid Black Sea Coast
surprises those who imagine the country to be nothing
but barren steppe. From the European border with
Bulgaria to the Georgian border, dense pine forests
cover the mountaintops while lush vegetation and
bountiful crops grow in the lower elevations and
valleys. Along the coastline, mile after mile of
beautiful uncrowded beaches offer sun, swimming and
relaxation. In the springtime, delicate wild-flower
blossoms carpet the rolling meadows of the eastern
hills. The wooden houses in fishing villages and
mountain hamlets alike preserve indigenous and
traditional architectural styles. The humid climate
and fertile soil encourage cultivation of a variety of
crops including tea, tobacco, corn and hazelnuts. The
magic of such a diverse landscape proves irresistible
to any friend of nature, whether hiker or mountain
climber or canoe enthusiast; whether you go in by
mountain bike or by jeep safari. Archaeological
excavations from the early Bronze Age settlements at
Ikiztepe in Samsun Province have uncovered evidence of
the region's earliest inhabitants. The Hittites,
Miletians, Phrygians and, according to Homer, the
Amazons all colonised parts of the coast. Alexander
the Great in his world conquest also brought the
region under his sovereignty. Eventually, it was
incorporated into the Roman and then the Byzantine
Empire. The 15th century saw the greater part of the
area come under the Ottoman rule of Sultan Mehmet II.
The Black Sea is easily accessible to tourists and
provides a wide range of hotels and restaurants at a
variety of prices.
|
