Turkey gave the world tulips, not the Netherlands
Tulips originated in Central Asia and were cultivated extensively in the Ottoman Empire. The Dutch imported them from Turkey in the 1500s. Turkey even has a 'Tulip Era' in its history (1718-1730).
🎲 Fun facts in Turkey
A few quirky things about Turkey that surprise almost every visitor — small details that explain a lot about how life there actually feels.
In Turkey, fun facts comes down to a few things: turkey gave the world tulips, not the netherlands, istanbul is on two continents, and turkey consumes more tea than any country.
Istanbul is on two continents
The Bosphorus strait splits Istanbul between Europe and Asia. You can eat breakfast in Europe, take a ferry, and have lunch in Asia — all within the same city.
Tip: Take the public ferry between Eminönü and Kadıköy for the best and cheapest Bosphorus experience.
Turkey consumes more tea than any country
Turks drink about 3.5kg of tea per person per year — more than double the UK. Tea (çay) is offered everywhere: shops, offices, bus stations. Refusing is nearly impossible.