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A Travel at Warp Speeds in Turkey - Hop aboard the Turkish time machine! Travel at warp speeds through ten thousand years and a multitude of civilizations. Mehmet Kurtkaya designed this clever cyberguide to Anatolia, now known as Turkey, as it developed from the Neolithic ages on through the twentieth century. It is truly amazing what is known about the people who lived in this area a hundred centuries ago. The time travel is complemented by a section called The Jewels of Anatolian History, featuring a dozen mind-boggling features and events of the region. According to legend, King Midas magically turned everything he touched to gold. While the legend is just a story, Midas was a real king of Gordion, located in central Turkey. And Gordion, too, is a place with its own legend: the Gordion Knot. Many wise and powerful people tried to untie the knot for years, believing that the one who could successfully untie it would be given magical powers. Alexander the Great conquered Gordion with his armies and came up with his own solution. He cut the knotwith his sword!
ArabNet - If you need information on a country in the Middle East or North Africa, check this clearinghouse site. There are 22 countries represented and over 1,900 sites. You'll find maps and political and cultural information, plus links. They call this site a "magic carpet" for a good reason!
ArabNet - Iraq - Iraq is sometimes called the "cradle of civilization." The earliest cultures lived between its two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Many of the Bible's ancient cities (Nineveh, Ur, and Babylon) were in the area we now know as Iraq. This site gives a virtual tour and information on culture, history, and the government of Iraq. There is also information on the Gulf War and the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq's Saddam Hussein.
ArabNet - Jordan - Jordan's entry in ArabNet is one of the most fact-filled sites you can find concerning the country. It has an overview section that covers all the information you could find at the World Factbook site, plus it has a section devoted to history, geography, business, culture, government, transportation, a tour guide, and links, too. One of the crafts available in Jordan is blown glass. Originally made from sand--Jordan's deserts supplied a lot of that--now these beautiful, fragile artworks are made of recycled bottles. Hungry? Jordan's national dish is called mansaf , which is a whole stewed lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce and served on a bed of rice.
ArabNet - Kuwait - Kuwait borders the Arabian Gulf between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Its desert lands are rich in oil reserves which have made Kuwait one of the leading oil-producing nations. This site offers an overview of Kuwait and many pages of tidbits about this country.
ArabNet - Libya - Libya has a long history of name changes. In 1951, it was Al-Mamlaka Al-Libiya Al-Motahidda (The United Kingdom of Libya). On September 1, 1969, the day of the Libyan revolution, it was Al-Jamhooriya Al-Arabiya Al-Libiyah (The Libyan Arab Republic). On March 8, 1977, it was Al-Jamahiriya Al-Arabiya Al-Libiyah Ash-Shabiya Al-Ishtrakia (The Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya). The flag of the country has changed each time. Presently, it is a plain, dark green rectangle with no symbols or any other ornament on it. At this site, read about how Libya's history reaches back as far as the twelfth century B.C., when it was inhabited by the Phoenicians.
ArabNet - Saudi Arabia - Here you'll find fascinating tidbits among the population, government, and history facts. For instance, Saudi Arabia is home to the Arabian oryx, thought by some to be the inspiration for the legendary unicorn. This fabulous beast is perfectly suited to its desert habitat and according to this site, it can go for years, if necessary, without drinking. The oryx gets water from the plants it eats and from licking dew from desert plants. The site also explains the Islamic calendar, which is based on a lunar year instead of the solar one used in the West. Islamic months rotate, rather than coming in the same seasons each year. You'll learn a little bit about the gahwa ritual (coffee making). Also, the once-a-year hajj pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) is described in some detail. It differs from the pilgrimage to Mecca at any other time of year. There are even short articles on natural toothbrushes and Bedouin tents.
ArabNet - Somalia - Did you ever wonder what frankincense is and where it comes from? It's a gum resin from the Boswellia tree, and it is an ingredient of incense and perfumes. Along with uranium, copper, gypsum, iron, marble, manganese, tin, and oil, it is one of the natural resources found in Somalia. Somalia is located in the easternmost part of the African continent. It has a hot and arid climate, rugged plateaus, and sandy coastal plains. Wildlife is plentiful in this African nation, but because of the harsh climate, plant life is limited. Much of the historical information at this site deals with Somalia's turbulent past, although its present is just as stormy.
ArabNet - Syria - The modern state of Syria was not established until 1946, after the Second World War, but it is a land that has been inhabited since ancient times. An overview of the history, geography, people, business, culture, government, and more is found at this site. It also has links to other Arab countries.
ArabNet - Tunisia - Thousands of years ago, Carthage was home to the Phoenicians, and it rivaled the Roman Empire. It was from there that Hannibal led an army--mounted on elephants--across the Alps to invade Rome itself. Years later, the Romans retaliated and destroyed Carthage, leveling it to the ground. The city that rose atop the ruins became the capital of Tunisia, and it is a living remnant of those ancient times. This Web site allows you to explore the wonders and history of Tunisia. It features magnificent color photographs of the people and landmarks.
ArabNet - Yemen - Yemen, a small, mostly desert country on the Arabian peninsula, has pretty much avoided contact with the outside world for over a thousand years. This site is a good place to get an overview of Yemen's 3,000-year history. Around 2,700 years ago, a great dam was built there, making the area a rich agricultural center for growing spices that were traded around the world. In the year A.D. 570, the dam burst, and Yemen quickly became arid desert. In the 1970s, Yemen split into two countries, one of which was the first-ever Marxist Arabian state. In 1990, the two states joined together to become a republic.
Auracea Yemen - While most of the world considers Yemen to be a desert nation, it actually has a huge, mostly unexplored coastline teeming with underwater life. Daniel Jouvance and the International Marine Science Committee have been studying the wealth of the underwater world since 1981. Some of the things they discovered may lead to new antibiotics or other medicines. The Auracea Expedition explored ocean life off the coasts of Tunisia, Yemen, and Mozambique. See some of their incredible photographs here!
Bahrain - A Country Study - Bahrain is a group of 33 islands on the west side of the Persian Gulf. Of these islands, most are uninhabited except for the largest, also called Bahrain. Bahrain, once known as Dilmun, was a popular regional trading center as far back as 2000 B.C. Today, it's a well-developed country with a low crime rate and stable economy.
Embassy of Lebanon - Washington, D.C. - The Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C., has a very nicely designed page that gives a lot of background information on the country. You can take a virtual tour to many cities, including Bsharri, birthplace and gravesite of Kahlil Gibran, Lebanon's famous poet, artist, and mystic.
IRAN: Country of the Nobles - So many things are done differently in Iran! For example, the Persian alphabet has 32 letters, compared to 26 in English. A pronunciation guide will help you here. Persian is written left to right, and it's very beautiful. This site also looks at the history, cities, pilgrimage centers, behavior rules, and literature of the culture.
Kazakhstan - Visit Taraz, one of the ancient cities standing on the "Great Silk Road" (look in Geography/Tourism), and other places of interest here. Read about Kazakhstan's libraries, museums, and theatres. In the Culture section you can look at some of their traditional arts and crafts, and learn about the ancient yurta , a tent-like structure that is covered with felt. Other areas include government information, the economy, science, and news.
Kopiaste - Welcome to Cyprus - If you like sweet potatoes, you'll love kolokasi . This root vegetable ( Colocasia esculanta ) is a specialty of Cyprus. How about eliopitta , lountza , kefalotiri , kaskavali , sfyrida , or loukoumades ? You'll have to visit this Web page, or any outdoor market on Cyprus, to find out about these other delicious foods! If you're eating vasilopitta , it must be New Year's Day. The Cyprus food calendar is lots of fun, as you find out which special foods are associated with different celebrations throughout the year. After sampling some of the taste treats of Cyprus, be sure to tour the collection of over 200 photos included here. You can really see why people love to visit this unique island.
KuwaitView - Although Kuwait is known for its oil production, it also has a long maritime tradition. In fact, the national emblem of Kuwait is a "falcon with outspread wings embracing a dhow (a boat) sailing on blue and white waves."
Lebanon Online - Lebanon has a narrow coastline on the Mediterranean Sea, backed by mountain ranges. It has an average of 300 sunny days a year, so bring your hat and sunglasses. This site is a jumpstation to many Web pages about Lebanon.
Libyana - This site is perfect for anyone needing information for a report on Libya. Read about the Sahara Desert, "the great sand sea," and the oases scattered through it, which provide water and refuge. Find a link to some outstanding maps in the History section and read through sections on art, crafts, poetry, music, food, and more.
Lonely Planet - Destination Brunei - Brunei was once a larger country, with Borneo and part of the Philippines under its control. The British were largely responsible for shrinking Brunei's territory since their arrival in the seventeenth century. Oil was discovered there in 1929. A revolt in 1962 eventually led to its independence in 1984. Today, this Muslim country (properly called Negara Brunei Darussalam), although rich from its oil exports, is isolated and underdeveloped.
Lonely Planet - Destination Syria - If you're looking for information on just about every subject having to do with Syria, then here it is. Syria boasts the oldest capital, Damascus. The first written alphabet came from Syria, and bronze was invented there. It was the scene of many battles during the Crusades. Three continents meet in Syria: Asia, Africa, and Europe. It was also a trade crossroads between the Caspian Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea, and the Nile River. The Silk Road, a famous trade route to China, also went through Syria. This site offers both tourist and general background information on the country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - This, the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has absolutely splendid graphics. If you like the game of Myst , you'll appreciate this site. "Hot News" is offered in both English and Arabic. You'll find the emir's latest speeches and recent photos. Although the site is under construction, you'll get a feel for how Qatar sees itself.
Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs - This official site describes the principles and organization of the various sections of the Bahrain Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Read their labor laws and view the statistics that are used to manage this section of government.
National Information System - The late King Hussein bin Talal, ascended the throne when he was only 17 years old! He immediately instituted some reforms, notably freedom of speech and freedom of the press. So it's no wonder that his government has a very beautiful and informative Web site. You'll find information on the royal family, a history of Jordan, a map, and what attracts tourists to this land.
Oman.on.line - Oman, on the southern end of the Arabian peninsula, has been on the trade routes of civilization since 3000 B.C. Frankincense, vital to the religious rites of almost every civilization in the ancient world, was a rare item found only in Oman and a few other places in the world. This commodity became the lifeblood of the country and was its primary source of income for over 4,000 years. This site offers information on current tourism, business development, and culture of this land and its peoples.
Palestine Information Center - Where is Palestine? According to this site, "Palestine nowadays refers to the holy and historic region that extends from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea; and from the Golan Heights and Lebanon in the north to the Sinai and the Red Sea in the south." While not an official country, this region has deep-rooted historical and religious significance. So much about this region is controversial and interpretive that it's difficult to find objective information. However, you'll find a well-organized collection of facts and stories about Palestine here that should help you understand this region's situation.
Palestine.on.line - This site is a collection of articles and links on Palestine, organized into various categories. Many countries have conflicting views on its heritage, and Palestine has more than its share of controversy. If you have an interest in this region, then this site is an excellent jumpstation for gathering facts and stories about this land rich in history and Biblical importance.
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations - This official site contains some basic facts about the country, official letters, some history, and a bit of poetry. According to this site, over 10,000 archaeological sites dot this ancient land. Remains and artifacts found in Shanidar Cave date back as far as 50,000 B.C., justifying its namesake of "the cradle of civilization."
Qatar.on.line - The discovery of oil in 1939 has enabled Qatar to establish and maintain a high standard of living for its people. The sale of oil accounts for about 75 percent of the country's export earnings. This site is both an information resource about Qatar as well as a gateway to many useful Web resources on this country. Everything is categorized to help you easily find the information you need.
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia - This page is maintained by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. You'll find lots of information on the history, culture, economy, and government of the country. Religion is an important part of Saudi Arabian life. Be sure to take a look at the section on the history and practice of Islam. There is also a search engine that looks for terms appearing anywhere in the site. And look to the Multimedia Presentation for lots of pictures in categories such as health, Islam, sports and recreation, and energy.
Salam Iran - Visit this official site to learn many details about Iranian life. In the Women's section, view the varieties of traditional women's dress. In the Kids' section, you can hear the national anthem. There is also tourism information, including descriptions of foods and drinks. Did you know that you can drink diluted yogurt? Yogurt is called mast in Iran. According to this site, "It is served as a soft drink in summer....They dilute it with water, add a pinch of salt, spearmint, and call it abdugh . Iranians, particularly in rural areas, keep abdugh on hand and serve it to their family and guests on hot summer days."
Sultanate of Oman - While there is evidence of civilization in Oman as far back as 5000 years ago, little is known about its history before the Islamic culture took hold around A.D. 800. Recently, Oman has been using satellite technology to locate archaelogical sites to help in discovering its past. Look for an extensive list of categories under the Oman Book section.
The Cyprus Home Page - The small island of Cyprus, located in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea, is a place rich in Greek heritage, legend, and fabulous weather. It is estimated that the people of Cyprus enjoy 300 sunny days each year! But the ongoing political tension between the Greek-Cypriots (well over three-quarters of the island's population) and the Turkish-Cypriots is a conflict that continues to plague the island. Since the Turkish invasion of July 1974, the northern 37 percent of the Cypriot Republic's territory has been under Turkish military occupation. Learn about present-day Cyprus from the maps, country profiles, and chronology of events, then step back into the history of this country at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East. See the ancient Greek temples where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, was worshipped. You'll find songs, folk art, lots of color pictures of Cyprus, and interesting facts and folklore about the birds of Cyprus, too. You might also want to click on "Kypros-Net" for more information and links.
The Government of Brunei Darussalam - Although Brunei gained its independence in 1984, a constitution has been in place since 1959. This official site describes the 1959 constitution and its evolution along with information on its System of Government, National Development Plan, and Missions and Embassies.
The Not-So-Lost City of Ubar - Long ago, frankincense was worth its weight in gold; in fact, it was one of the treasures laid at the feet of the baby named Jesus. Ubar, the ancient Arab center of the frankincense trade, is referred to in The Thousand and One Nights (The Arabian Nights) and the Koran. So was this city only mythical or was it real? Thanks to space-age technology, we find that it was very real indeed. In 1982, a remote spacecraft "peered" under the dry sand of modern-day Oman and found it! Come and read this amazing tale and share the excitement of discovery. This beautiful site is rich with stunning information and photos, and it links you to other awesome sites on this archaeological find.
The Republic of Cyprus - Before Alexander the Great, before the Iliad and the Oddesy , even before the Bronze Age when the best tools were made of stone, there was the island of Cyprus. Excavations have discovered remains of lentils, peas, goats, and pigs. The average life expectancy was short--about 34 years. Through the ages, this small island has played many roles in the development of the Mediterranean region. In addition to many pages about Cyprus' history, you'll find many pages on geography, descriptions of towns and cities, and culture, as well as current news and issues.
The Saudi Arabian Kingdom - This entry in the Encyclopedia of the Orient has brief articles on the political situation, the economy, health and education, religions and people, and history of Saudi Arabia. Look here for a more Western view of the country. Challenges facing Saudi Arabia are mentioned.
Turkish Style - "The Turkish home is a living tradition whose refinement has continued uninterrupted for over 10,000 years, from the earliest recorded dwellings of Central Anatolia to the modern Istanbul townhouse." This site is a companion to the book by the same title. It is filled with pictures of Ottoman, traditional, and contemporary houses and architecture found in Turkey. The History and Traditions chapter describes the history and evolution of Turkish culture as it relates to Turkish architecture. This site provides a wonderful insight into the country, and the pictures are beautifully done.
UAE Interact - Here's a good look at the United Arab Emirates, a very young and extremely wealthy country. Although mostly arid, in the past, conditions were different. Paleontologists have found fossils that date back nearly 300 million years, and some of these fossils are of river-dwelling creatures. Apparently the region was once well watered, lush, and green. At this site you'll find extensive information about the history of the U.A.E., its geology and wildlife, its culture, and its government.
United Arab Emirates - This site presents a brief overview of the country, including descriptions of the six emirates that joined together on December 2, 1971, to form the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Another joined in 1972. Read about traditional children's games and fishing techniques, complete with pictures. Enjoy the sights with a photo tour of the country. There is also a biography of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, the President of the U.A.E.
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