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wanderings for more settled ways, they embarked on a new journey
continuing old traditions within the parameters of a new lifestyle.
In this new millennium of the "global village" where
cultural differences seem to be disappearing, the highlands
of Turkey offer a refreshing authenticity of ancient tradition
which is noticed as soon as it is experienced. Compared with
our modern way of life, it is a vivacious way of life in harmony
with nature, at once both oriental and exotic. The highlands
have much to offer; the fresh clean air of an undefiled environment,
crystal clear streams, a refreshing coolness that is a relief
from the sweltering heat during the hottest summer days, views
of enchanting beauty, fruit and vegetables grown without hormones
and ripen on the vine slowly and naturally, milk and meat
products of animals pastured in the most natural environments.
The innumerable wild animal and plant species living in their
natural habitat rescue us from the virtual world of TV documentaries
and enable us to experience real life up close and personal.
The Taurus Highlands : Exposed to the gentle Mediterranean
breezes, the snow-covered peaks of the Taurus Mountain Range
intermingle with the foothills spread out like a colorful
nomadic carpet of flowers dotted with fruit orchards, pine,
fir, cedar and juniper trees. When the crocuses blossom in
the spring, the nomads (Yörükler) set off to find pasture
for their animals among the highlands covered with the very
hues of green. When the Mediterranean summer heat begins to
make itself felt in the lowlands and coastal areas, the flight
begins to cooler altitudes where the springwater is cold and
crystal clear.
Plant Life: The Taurus Mountains have a wide assortment
of plant cover and as one ascends and disappears from the
coast areas, the diversity of the plant cover varies. Citrus
orchards, different types of shrubs, sandalwood, a variety
of oaks, sycamore tree, wild olive trees, blackberries, terebinth
trees, heath, frankincense, mastic, redbud, strawberry and
laurel trees, as well as different types of pine and juniper
trees, beech, Taurus fir and cedar trees enhance the natural
beauty of this mountain range. A wide variety of flowers during
the spring months.Snowdrops, wild cyclamen, narcissus, hyacinth,
poppies, oregano, lavender, mint, purslane, tulips and daisies
are among the more common types of flora seen in this area.
Wildlife: The wildlife in these mountains presents
the same diversity as that of the rich plant cover. Taurus
Mountains are home for birds such as pigeons, blackbirds,
francolins, partridges, quail, turtledoves, woodcock as well
as for eagles, sturnidaes, falcons, chaffinches and orioles.
Animals that can be observed here in their natural habitat
are deer, fallow deer, bezoar goat, boar, lynx, roe deer,
fox, wolf, jackals, martens, rabbits and hyena. The Taurus
highlands are found within the provinces of Gaziantep, Hatay
(Antioch), Adana, İçel, Antalya and Muğla.
The Highlands of the Black Sea : With their mountain
meadows adorned with colorful wildflowers, the highlands of
the Black Sea are characterized by their spruce forests. The
verdant appearance and lush green slopes of the Black Sea
coasts are due not only to the abundant rainfall but also
to the humid and foggy weather. The humidity and the foggy
weather gives way to a brilliant sunshine and oxygen-rich
fresh mountain air as one ascends from the coastal areas high
up to the mountains. Up here in the Black Sea highlands the
mountains are covered with trees like fir, spruce, Scotch
pine, cedar, beech, oak, linden, elm, hornbeam, alder and
wild hazelnut as well as flowers like snowdrops, wild azalea,
forest rose and countless other wildflowers. The Black Sea
highlands are found in the provinces of Sinop, Ordu, Giresun,
Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane and Bayburt.
Highland Culture in Turkey : In
Turkey the highland villages are important and people go there
for a variety of reasons. The nomadic clans living in the
southeastern and eastern Anatolia rent the highland pastures
to graze their flocks and herds. Herders living in the Mediterranean,
Central Anatolia and Black Sea regions use the highlands as
pasture, and as haying areas for collection of winter fodder.
In the summer they sometimes go up to these pastures to escape
the heat. People living in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions
chose the highlands because it allows them to escape the sweltering
summer heat, the mosquitoes and other pests. It is also a
wonderful natural retreat to a clean healthy environment.
A new movement has sprung up centered around providing lodging
and other basic needs for these highland visitors. The chance
to experience the traditional highland culture and its pristine
environment has drawn many people and new kind of 'Highland
tourism' has enabled many of them to participate in this fascinating
way of life.
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