Trying to figure out your next trip but have no clue where to start? Well, look no further, in this article we’ll be talking about a little bit about Turkey! And no, not the bird, the country. Here are some interesting facts about Turkey, that’ll hopefully inspire to either visit.

Turkey is a country located in Asia and Europe; the country is about 783,562km, which is pretty big, but still not as big as the USA measuring around 9,833,517 km, the capital is Ankara, and as of 2019, over 82 million people live there!

One of the earliest recorded of people who inhabited Turkey (also known as Asian Turkey, Asia Minor, and Anatolia) were the Hurrians and Hattians, they were non-Ido-European people, they lived around eastern Anatolia around 2300 Bc.

Another cool fact, the Anatolian Peninsula is not only one of the oldest permanently settled regions in the world, it also makes up for the grand majority of modern Turkey too.

Of course, the main language is Turkish, but other languages are spoken too, like Arabic, Kurmanji, and Zaza (many more of course). And the country is just packed full of history and places to visit, like Hagia Sophia, formally known as the Church of Hagia Sophia, a late-antique of worship in Istanbul (also one of the biggest cities) it’s a patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, being one of the largest Christian Church at the time of the Roman Empire). Then around in 1453, it was converted into a mosque, then a museum in 1935, and now in 2020 back into a mosque.

Or Ephesus, it was once an ancient Greek city built around the 10th century BC, by Greek colonists, it started to flourish after the Romans took control around 129 BC. The book of Revelations states that the city of Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia. This city was famed by the close-by temple of Artemis, the city was destroyed ages ago but some of the ruins remain to this day, like the Library of Celsus and the Odeon.

• Facts about South Korea
• Facts about Benin
• Facts about Burkina Faso
• Facts about Turkey

Another great site to visit while in Turkey is Mount Nemrut, being about 7,100 feet high, the summit from that peak is quite the view! It is said that the statues that lay about are royal tombs and those in itself are a beautiful sight, it’s clear that at this point you may want to charge your camera batteries, and possibly take a few extra ones, those pictures for the scrapbook are going to be postcard-worthy!

Want something more on the chill side? Try visiting the best beach Turkey has to offer, it is a true Blue Lagoon beauty! Just picture it, warm sun, soft sands, gorgeous hues of oranges and pinks painting the skies as you take that breath of fresh crisp air all while sipping on your favorite cocktail, and as if that alone wasn’t a deal maker, it’s close to an airport and water-taxies can take you to a nearby bays, I can go on but I get the feeling that you get where I’m going with this.

Point is, Turkey has amazing places to visit and explore, and those were just only a few of the things this beautiful country has to offer,

One of the great perks of living in Turkey is Universal Health Care! Residents of Turkey need to register with a Social Security Institution to have free health care, there are other private and public health care services too.

The Universal Health Care system covers a lot, from work-related injuries to vocational illnesses, it offers fertility treatments to women younger than 39, and that’s just only a few things listed, it offers much more!

Many of the main industries are your typical motor vehicle and automotive parts, household TV appliances, with the largest TV producer bing Vestel and Beko being it’s biggest competition, textiles and clothing, coal mining, and much more, this making Turkey one of the most advanced developed countries,

But of course, do to the COVID-19 pandemic mos of the places to visit and have changed quite a bit, some are still closed while others are slowly opening, so before you make any plans to visit or live, do your research and see which places are available to the public and what aren’t, and if they are open what are their rules and guidelines on COVID-19 safety.

A lot of people are actually not aware that a country called Burkina Faso exists, and because of this we will enumerate some of the amazing facts about Burkina Faso so that we can have a better understanding about what them as a country.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa and it covers a massive land area that is actually classified as a savanna; a savanna is basically a land area that is covered with grass in one area, and sparse in another part. To have a better understanding of what this country has been through, it might be helpful for us to go back to its history.

• Facts about South Korea
• Facts about Benin
• Facts about Burkina Faso
• Facts about Turkey

Burkina Faso is actually a former French colony and they gained their independence in the year 1960 as Upper Volta; the name Burkina Faso literally means “Land of Incorruptible People” and they adopted it in 1984. Ouagadougou is its capital city because it can be found in the center of this country and it can be located at least 800 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. When we try to look at Burkina Faso on a map, we will see that it has Mali on its Northwest, Niger to its Northeast. Benin to its Southeast, and Togo, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire to its South.

Because of the geographical location of Burkina Faso, the climate is expected to always be dry, hot, and sunny; as a matter of fact, there are two very distinct climate zones that can be identified which are the Sahelian zone and the Sudanic zone. The difference of these two is that the Sahelian zone is weather experienced in the North and is a semiarid steppe which describes a duration of rainfall that often lasts for three up to five months; on the other hand, the Sudanic zone is weather experienced in the South and it is defined by the tropical season that is usually dry and hot.

In addition to these, it can also be said that there exists four seasons in Burkina Faso – a rainy season that happens sometime in June to September; a hot, dry, and dusty season where sand from the Sahara desert can be experienced when the wind blows; a hot season that happens from February to June; and a dry and cool season from November to February. Experiencing these seasons in Burkina Faso will definitely be an experience for anyone because of the different conditions that these seasons bring.

The total population of Burkina Faso amounts to a total of 20,875,000 and this explains why this country has a very rich culture. Which is why there are also a lot of places and attractions that tourists can experience when they decide to travel to Burkina Faso. Some of these attractions are historic sites, hidden wonders of nature, museums, and even parks; one of the more popular spots to visit is the Les Cascades de Banfora which is a scenic waterfalls that is beside Komoe river.

This place allows people to experience the amazing beauty of nature while also immersing in the rich culture of Burkina Faso; there is also a museum called Ma Copine Femmes & Creativite which features a lot of hand-crafted jewelries, paintings, bags, and accessories that tourists can take home with them as a souvenir.

Because it was mentioned above that Burkina Faso has a wide land area to cover, it is not really surprising to find out that their leading industry is agriculture. It has been found in various researches that at least 80% of their entire population depends on the resources they get from their agriculture. But even though this is their primary industry, it is unfortunate to find out that Burkina Faso is still a country that is not capable in sustaining itself in terms of producing their own food even though some of the most common crops that they produce are corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, and sugarcane.

When we look into the healthcare system of Burkina Faso though, we will see that there had been attempts from 2010 to increase the healthcare workforce, but it was never seen as enough to be able to meet the needs of such a huge population. And this problem mainly stems from the fact that there is a severe lack in people who are qualified to join the healthcare industry, but the good news is that this problem is still being worked on by the government in hopes of providing better health services to it people.

In the southern part of the Korean peninsula is South Korea, a sovereign country that is part of the Asian continent, its capital is Seoul and its real name is Korean republic but it is recognized by this name in order to distinguish it from North Korea. Its boundaries are North Korea to the north, the China Sea in the south, the Sea of Japan to the east, and the Yellow Sea to the west.

Its territory makes up the southern half of the Korean peninsula, including approximately three thousand islands that are around, mostly small and uninhabited. The total area amounts to 100,300 km2, dividing into four regions: the eastern region that is made up of high mountains, the western region that has wide coastal plains and hills; the southeastern region where you will find the wide Nakdong River basin and the southwestern region that is made up of mountains.

South Korea is a modern and futuristic country, with good healthcare, excellent public facilities such as western toilets, parks, public transport, pools and recreational areas.

Also read:

• Facts about South Korea
• Facts about Benin
• Facts about Burkina Faso
• Facts about Turkey

Facts about South Korea

South Korea and its population

One of the facts about South Korea is the remarkable density of its population, having approximately 515 inhabitants per square kilometer, this being more than ten times the global average. Its current population is approximately 51,635,000, the most populous city is Seoul, its capital, with a population of 10 million; followed by Busan with 4 million, Inchon with 3 million, and Daegu with 3 million.

Part of its overpopulation is due to international migration following the division of the Korean Peninsula that occurred after World War II, it is estimated that at least four million North Koreans crossed the border, this number continued to rise over the next 40 years.

South Korea and its history

In 936, Korea was unified by Emperor Taejo of the Goryeo dynasty, this was a highly developed state, but nevertheless, in the 13th century, the country weakened by Mongol invasions. Unsurprisingly, the Joseon dynasty replaced Goryeo in 1388, this happened after the collapse of the Mongol Empire and the political dispute that did not stop.

After Joseon’s first 200 years peace remained, however, in the late 19th century, the country became one of Japan’s colonial desires. Which caused Korea to be taken over by Japan in 1910 and maintained in this way until World War II ended in August 1945.

In 1945, an agreement was reached between the United States and the Soviet Union, where Japanese forces were redeemed and Soviet troops occupied the north, while those of the United States would deal with South Korea. This was the basis for Korea’s division to start due to the inability to reach an agreement that gave Korean independence.

Each of the rivals that made up the Cold War determined what governments would look like based on their ideologies, resulting in the current division of North Korea, officially the Democratic Republic of Korea, a single-party political country with a fixed and planned economy, and South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, a democratic and free-market country.

South Korea’s economy and its core industries

When we talk about facts about South Korea, it is impossible not to mention the economic development so great that this country has had, due to its limited size, natural resources, and population, the country paid attention to the development of technology to achieve growth and go from an agricultural nation to an industrialized country.

Major industries include steel, textiles, shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing; Also in this country is where the largest production of LCD, OLED, and plasma screens is made with important companies such as LG and Samsung.

Most of its manufactures are export-oriented so in 2009 they became the ninth country with the highest income due to the export of their products.

Health care in South Korea

Health care in South Korea is considered one of the best in the world; also, the majority of the population has health insurance that is paid a portion by the beneficiary and another by the government of the country. In the case of hospitals, 94% are privately owned and the rest are public.

Things to do in South Korea

South Korea is still a slightly unknown destination within Asia but it shouldn’t, because its futuristic cities contrast with its traditional villages and subtropical mountains and beaches, ensuring an unforgettable journey. Here are some things you can do in South Korea:

1. Enjoy nature in the secret garden of Changdeok Palace.

2. Discover Seoul from the heights at Lotte World Tower Seul Sky.

3. Watch the Herb Island Light Festival light show.

4. Connect with nature in Seoraksan National Park.

The Republic of Benin, formerly called Dahomey, is one of Africa’s smallest countries. It is a narrow strip of land located in West Africa. It shares borders with Togo on its west side, Burkina Faso and Niger on its north, and Nigeria on its east. The southern part of this country is bounded by the Bight of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea area.

Recent data from The World Bank shows that Benin has an area of 112,760 square kilometers, around eight times smaller than its neighboring country, Nigeria. It extends a distance of about 700 kilometers, north to south, from the Niger River to the Atlantic Ocean. Its widest span measures about 325 kilometers with an estimated average elevation of 200 kilometers.

• Facts about South Korea
• Facts about Benin
• Facts about Burkina Faso
• Facts about Turkey

Facts about Benin

Population

According to Worldometer elaborated data from United Nations, Benin has a total population of 12.12 million people in the mid-year of 2020, with 48.4% of it as urban. Its population gives a 0.16% equivalent over the total world population, ranking the country at the 77th spot in the list of most populated countries.

History

Benin’s history is a timeline of kingdom successions, starting from the seat of Dahomey, one of West Africa’s long-lasting kingdoms which ruled from the 17th century to the 19th century. This local dynasty was established in the 17th century when three Dahomey brothers ruled different yet adjacent territories. In the early 18th century, these three territories were merged into a single kingdom, the region now known as Benin.

During the 17th century, the region engaged to slave trades with European countries and was termed as the “Slave Coast”. This system remained until the 1840s. In 1946, it became an overseas territory of France and in 1959, it was turned into an autonomous republic. It finally achieved complete independence of August 1, 1960, and changed its name from Dahomey to the Republic of Benin in 1975.

Top Sights

The Republic of Benin offers lots of attractions that you probably didn’t know, not until you read this article. From museums to national parks, Benin is a home of historical spots that display the innate beauty of West Africa. Listed below are some of the top sights and things you should never miss seeing when traveling to Benin.

1. Museums

If you are interested in African contemporary art, check out the various museums located in different areas of Benin. Some popular museum tourists visit in Benin are the Ouidah Museum of History and the Zinzou Foundation Museum that are both located in Ouida, Benin. Museum tours are both educational and fascinating.

2. Pendjari National Park

This national park located in northwestern Benin is a conservation stronghold that houses 90% of the remaining West African lions. Aside from the kings of the jungle, a variety of wild animals such as hippos, buffalos, and forest elephants can be seen here.

3. Cathedrals

Cathedrals in Benin are known for their distinct architecture and historical value. One famous cathedral in Benin is the Cotonou Cathedral or Cathedral Notre Dame de Misericorde. With its burgundy and white stripes design, this cathedral is both a place for worship and a small bookstore for local writers.

4. Gardens in Porto Novo

The Centre Songhai is one popular garden attraction in Porto Novo, Benin. It is a major research and production center for sustainable farming. You can tour the plantations and buy agricultural products.

Main Industries

1. Textile

Textile is the largest industry in Benin, with cotton as the main contributing product. Cotton is the backbone of Benin’s economy, generating approximately 40% of GDP and 80% of exports. Though most of the country’s cotton are exported abroad, a considerable portion of it is used locally for clothing production.

2. Oil

Benin is not a large-scale producer of oil, unlike the Middle Eastern countries. However, the oil industry is a major contributor to Benin’s foreign earnings. Though its oil reserves are estimated to meet the country’s domestic demand, it doesn’t have its own refinery. So, it has to export its crude oil to other countries.

3. Agriculture

Benin mainly depends on subsistence agriculture. The products are utilized locally, and only a small percentage is sold to the international market.

Health Care System

The health care system in Benin is principally dependent on the private sector that follows strict regulations and a consolidated decision-making system. The country is divided into health zones, each having a health zone committee that manages the healthcare system. The expansion of private health facilities helps in administering the growing demand of the urban areas that might be difficult for the public sector to respond to.

Public Facilities

The water supply and sanitation facilities in Benin is continuing to progress. The African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW) has been consistently addressing the country’s concerns about its water supply and sanitation. In terms of public health facilities, each zone is provided with department health centers, commune health centers, and a public hospital.

For public security, the law is enforced by both gendarmerie and police like in other countries with French heritage. The Republican Police of Benin has become the unique law enforcement force of the country since January 2018.