Local Population and Cultural Influences

The Turkish landmass has been the stage upon which countless empires and kingdoms have flourished and declined, and its history lingers in famous ruins (Troy is only the beginning), mosques lavish with ornament, and that glittering distillation of Ottoman glory, the half-European, half-Asian Istanbul.

Compared to Ephesus, Troy can seem dull. Some say that it loses something without Brad Pitt running around, others see this as an improvement. Either way Troy is no stunner - the drawcard is its sheer history. Excavations have revealed nine ancient cities on the site, with Troy VI or VII believed to be the setting for Homer's Iliad.

When amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann started excavating Troy in 1871, the classical studies boffins around the world became decidedly unhappy. Up to this time, The Iliad was assumed to be based on legend, but post-digs, Troy was revealed as the Homeric city of Ilium, site of an epic battle between the Achaeans (Greeks) and the Trojans in the 13th century BC. Excavations by Schliemann and others have revealed nine ancient cities, one on top of another, dating back to 3000 BC. Troy VI (1800-1275 BC) is the city of Priam and the one that engaged in the Trojan War.

However, leave your Midnight Express stereotypes at the door - this is a rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present.

The Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, the cuisine is to die for, the coastline is a dream, and many Turkish cities are dotted with spectacular mosques and castles. And while costs are rising, Turkey remains the Mediterranean's bargain-basement destination.

Timezone - GMT +2 hours

• Area (sq km) : 779452
• Population: 68100000