Synopsis GEOGRAPHY of TURKEY by : Onur ÇALIŞKAN
Throughout history, humans have sought to comprehend and interpret the world around them, giving rise to the sciences and technologies of our era. Regardless of whether individuals believe in being expelled from heaven or evolving through natural selection, every person exists within an environment whose causality remains incompletely understood. This pursuit of understanding—from the vastness of infinite space to the Earth's core—has resulted in a body of theories collectively known as science, embodying the knowledge, experiences, and experiments accumulated over time. Science serves not only the purpose of explaining and understanding but also addresses human needs. People's needs, spanning necessities like sustenance, survival, and procreation to intellectual requirements, serve as the driving force behind scientific development. Although science may not fulfill all these needs to perfection, significant progress has been made in a relatively short time. The transition from imaginative theories to the development of physics-based "relativity" theories spanned only a few millennia. Milestones like Galileo's (1564-1642) experiments on the simultaneous fall of masses from the Leaning Tower of Pisa took centuries. While centuries ago, it was believed that Earth was the center of the universe, with the Sun revolving around it, today we understand that we inhabit a tiny speck in infinite space. Despite being at the early stages of exploration, science remains the indispensable tool guiding humanity's present and future. Geography, as one of the sciences focused on the Earth, seeks to elucidate human interactions with nature, providing insights into the environment people inhabit. Through geographical methods, geography enables the interpretation of our surroundings, offering fundamental knowledge that shapes lifestyles and perspectives. Geography's contribution to scientific development lies in explaining phenomena assumed to occur spontaneously, establishing itself as a foundational science taught from primary education due to the inherent connection between people and space. The interaction and relations between people and space appear as one of the basic needs of humanity at a certain stage of history. In hunting and gathering human communities, the selection of living spaces, the determination of hunting grounds, the structure of natural vegetation, important migration routes and passages, in short, all the knowledge, experience and cognitive equipment necessary to sustain life are necessary for every individual of the community. In this period of time, geographical information exists as an indispensable need in every aspect of daily life. Teaching knowledge has as much vital importance as the knowledge itself. Somewhere in the flow of time, special methods and techniques have emerged and been created for the transfer, reproduction and sharing of information. Human beings, who are 'objects' in the face of natural forces and processes, have gradually begun to have a say and to be affected as much as they are affected by the environment in which they live. This subject-object relationship has attracted the attention of many philosophical theories. The basis of the problem of human existence and stance in front of nature lies in how nature itself is perceived, understood, interpreted and conveyed. The transition from being a poor object in the face of nature to being the ruler of nature has brought with it negative consequences. Polluting, poisoning, and causing irreversible damage to the environment they live in has also been detrimental to people. This situation has led to the emergence of environmentally friendly, ecological approaches and nature-centered practices to find more and more supporters. The concept of 'fighting against wild nature and its dark forces' has been replaced by the idea of 'sustainable development'. Actions and discourses of 'subjugating nature' have been replaced by the understanding of 'living in peace with nature'. Therefore, this change in human understanding has paved the way for changes in all areas of life, from science to art, from health to education. Having rapidly exhausted the stages of 'wildness', 'barbarism' and 'civilization', humanity has become aware that it stands on the threshold of a different stage. The realities of this stage have brought humanity to the brink of a crossroads. Either the total destruction of all humanity and the civilization it created, or the possibility of living in harmony with nature under the guidance of scientific realities. By nature, a geographer is someone who is aware of, understands, interprets and explains both the natural and human environment. Knowing where a phenomenon is, why it is there, why and how it is, what it looks like, and how all of this can be managed in a way that is beneficial for humanity and the natural environment is the geographer's main raison d'être, and this knowledge must be transferred to the next generation. Here the importance of geography education and training emerges. Embark on a journey through the captivating landscapes of Turkey in this book, where geography comes alive with a touch of creativity. In the initial chapters, discover the essence of Turkey's general geographical features, laying the foundation for a profound exploration. Delve into the geological wonders that unfold within Turkey's borders in the second chapter, unraveling the geological narrative of these enchanting terrains. As you venture further, the third chapter unveils the intricate dance of factors shaping the landforms, offering insights into their unique characteristics and the mesmerizing geomorphological tapestry. The fourth chapter invites you to explore Turkey's climate, delving into the various phenomena that paint the skies and influence the weather patterns. Water, a lifeline for landscapes, takes center stage in the fifth chapter, casting light on its abundance in Turkey and its surrounding regions. In the sixth chapter, unearth the secrets of soil existence and distribution across the Turkish terrain, understanding the very foundation upon which diverse ecosystems thrive. Turn the pages to the seventh chapter, where the vibrant tapestry of Turkey's vegetation unfolds, accompanied by explanations of the factors sculpting its distribution and spatial arrangement. Beyond the chapters, a comprehensive glossary unveils the meanings behind the terms, ensuring a seamless reading experience. To enhance readability, all references gracefully find their place at the book's conclusion, eliminating the need for cumbersome in-text citations. Prepare to be transported into the heart of Turkey's geographical wonders, where each page paints a vivid picture of the land's beauty and complexity.
