✈️🌍 Why Do Flight Paths Look Curved? When flying from *Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles*, you might expect a straight path across the Atlantic or Mediterranean. In reality, the flight takes a curved route over Iran, Russia, the North Pole, and Canada before reaching the US west coast. The reason? The Earth is *spherical*, and the shortest distance between two points on a sphere is called a *Great Circle Route*—a curved line on flat maps, but actually the most direct path. 🗺️ Flat maps are misleading Projections like the *Mercator map* distort distances and shapes. A route that appears curved is actually shorter, while a "straight" line on the map may be longer. 💡 Why do planes take this route? - Shorter distance - Less flight time - Lower fuel consumption - Reduced operating costs - Sometimes to catch favorable jet streams 📜 Ancient knowledge Muslim scholars like *Al-Biruni* and *Al-Idrisi* understood Earth's shape and calculated such paths centuries ago for navigation and determining directions. 🌐 So, what looks strange on a flat map is actually the most *efficient and direct path* on our spherical Earth. #GreatCircleRoute #FlightPaths #AirTravelFacts #GeographyMatters #AviationScience #TravelSmart #CurvedNotCrooked #Map

🇹🇷✨ Welcome to Istanbul: The City Between Two Continents! Did you know Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans both Europe and Asia? This magical Turkish metropolis is a living museum of history, culture, and modern life—all in one breathtaking place! 🌍 Quick Facts: • Location: Northwest Turkey, along the Bosphorus Strait • Area: ~5,343 km² • Population: 15+ million (Turkey’s largest city!) • Language: Turkish • Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY) ⸻ 🕌 Must-See Highlights: • Historic Icons: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Roman Hippodrome • UNESCO Site: The Historic Areas of Istanbul (Byzantine + Ottoman treasures) • Bridges That Connect Continents: Bosphorus Bridge & Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge • Famous Bazaars: Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar – centuries of shopping history! • Unique Transport: Ferry rides between continents, nostalgic trams, funiculars ⸻ 🍽️ Tastes of Istanbul: Kebab, köfte, simit (sesame bread ring), meze plates, sweet baklava, and of course—Turkish tea in tulip-shaped glasses! ⸻ 🔍 Fun Fact: Istanbul was once known as Byzantium and Constantinople, serving as capital of 3 great empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman! ⸻ Istanbul isn’t just a city—it’s an experience that connects history and the future! #Istanbul #VisitTurkey #CityOfTwoContinents #Bosphorus #TurkishCulture #TravelGoals #AmazingWorldGeography

#Turkey is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. It is bordered by Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest, the Black Sea to the north, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, and Iran to the east, Iraq to the southeast, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the west. Area: 783,562 square kilometers. Topography: Includes the Taurus Mountains in the south, the Pontic Mountains in the north, fertile plains like the Anatolian Plain, and the Central Anatolian Plateau, along with lakes such as Lake Van. Water Bodies: Borders four major seas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. 🌐 2. Climate: Coastal Areas: Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Black Sea Coast: Moderate and humid climate year-round. Inland Regions: Continental climate with hot, dry summers and very cold, snowy winters. Climate Change: Turkey faces challenges like drought and rising temperatures due to climate change. 🌐 3. Population: Population Size: Approximately 84.5 million (2021). Population Distribution: Istanbul is the largest city with over 15.5 million residents. Ankara is the second largest, followed by Izmir, Bursa, and Antalya. Ethnic Diversity: Predominantly Turks, with a significant Kurdish minority, and smaller Armenian, Arab, and Greek communities. Population Growth: About 1.2% annually. 🌐 4. Economy: GDP: Approximately $7.209 trillion in 2021. Exports: Includes agricultural products, automobiles, textiles, and electronics, valued at $225 billion. Imports: Mainly energy and raw materials, totaling $271 billion. Unemployment Rate: Around 10.3%. Agriculture and Industry: Notable for wheat, hazelnuts, and olives, as well as being a leading producer of automobiles and steel. 🌐 5. Currency: The official currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY), which experiences fluctuations in value against foreign currencies. 🌐 6. Tourism: Visitor Numbers: Turkey welcomed around 30 million tourists in 2021. Revenue: Approximately $24.5 billion. Top Destinations: Istanbul: Iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Antalya: A hub for coastal tourism. Cappadocia: Known for its unique landscapes and hot air balloons. Historical Sites: Ephesus and Troy. 🌐 7. History: Civilizations: Turkey has been home to various civilizations, including the Hittites, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines. Ottoman Era: Spanned from the 14th century to the early 20th century. Modern Republic: Established in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who moved the capital to Ankara and initiated widespread reforms. 🌐 8. Education: Education System: Mandatory for 12 years (6 years primary, 3 years middle, 3 years secondary). Higher Education: Home to numerous universities, including Istanbul University and Middle East Technical University. Literacy Rate: Approximately 96%. 🌐 9. Healthcare: Healthcare System: Turkey has a well-developed healthcare system encompassing public and private sectors. Medical Tourism: A popular destination for medical and cosmetic treatments, attracting thousands of patients annually. Hospitals: Equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology. 🌐 10. Culture: Official Language: Turkish. Religion: Islam is the predominant religion, with Christian and Jewish minorities. Traditions: A blend of Eastern and Western cultural influences. Turkey serves as a bridge between East and West, with a rich history and modern development.

Turkey: The Golden Bridge Between East and West 1. 🗺️📏 Location & Area Turkey spans both Asia and Europe, with a total area of approximately 783,562 km², making it one of the largest countries in the region. 2. 🇹🇷🏞️ Land of Geographical Diversity From Mediterranean coastlines to Anatolian mountains, Turkey offers rich landscapes and diverse cultures. 3. 🕌🏛️ Ottoman Heritage & Modern Civilization With deep roots in the Ottoman Empire, Turkey is filled with historic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. 4. 👥📊 Population Turkey has about 85 million people, mainly concentrated in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. 5. 💹🏗️ A Vibrant and Growing Economy Its economy is based on industry, tourism, and agriculture, and is considered one of the world’s leading emerging markets. 6. ✈️🚅 A Regional Transport Hub Turkey acts as a key transport link between Europe and Asia, with modern airways and high-speed rail networks. 7. 🕌🧕 A Unique Cultural Identity It blends modernity with Islamic traditions, offering a mix of cuisines, arts, and customs from both East and West. 8. ⚽🎭 Sports & Entertainment Football is the most popular sport, with iconic clubs like Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe based in Istanbul. 9. 🧠🎓 Advanced Education & Top Universities Turkey attracts international students, especially in fields like medicine, engineering, and political science. #Turkey #Istanbul #Anatolia

A semitic Palestinian mother in Gaza, occupied Palestine holds her 2 children and rushes away to save their lives from #Gazze The world of Western one sided morality and global double standards is what is wrong with this world and makes Palestinian life and others unworthy. #Palestine #FreePalestine 🇵🇸🕊️ Crescent Heart

#Turkey 🇹🇷 is a country located at the crossroads of *two continents*, *Asia* and *Europe*, giving it a unique strategic position. Turkey is rich in culture and history, being home to many ancient civilizations, including the *Ottoman Empire* and the *Byzantine Empire*. It is known for its diverse geography, including beautiful *beaches*, towering *mountains*, and amazing archaeological sites. Turkey is also one of the world's major tourist destinations. 25 Facts About Turkey: 🌐 *1. Geographic Location* Turkey is located at the crossroads of *Asia* and *Europe*. 🌐 *2. Capital* The capital is *Ankara*, while *Istanbul* is the largest and most famous city. 🌐 *3. Area* Turkey covers an area of about *783,356 km²*, making it one of the largest countries in the world. 🌐 *4. Population* Turkey's population is approximately *85 million people* in 2024. 🌐 *5. Official Language* The official language is *Turkish*. 🌐 *6. Religion* The primary religion in Turkey is *Islam*, with the majority being *Sunni Muslims*. 🌐 *7. Government* Turkey is a *democratic republic* with a *presidential system*. 🌐 *8. Currency* The official currency is the *Turkish Lira (TRY)*. 🌐 *9. Climate*Turkey has a diverse climate: a *Mediterranean climate* on the coast and a *continental climate* in the inland areas. 🌐 *10. Terrain* Turkey has varied terrain, including *mountains*, *plains*, and *rivers*. 🌐 *11. Highest Peak* The highest peak in Turkey is *Mount Ararat* (Ağrı Dağı), with an elevation of *5,137 meters*. 🌐 *12. Tourism* Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations, attracting about *40 million tourists annually*. 🌐 *13. Tourist Attractions* Turkey has many famous tourist sites, such as *Hagia Sophia* in *Istanbul*, the *Bodrum Mausoleum*, and *Cappadocia*. 🌐 *14. Long History* Turkey is home to ancient civilizations such as the *Ottoman Empire*, the *Byzantine Empire*, the *Greeks*, and the *Romans*. 🌐 *15. Historical Significance* The city of *Istanbul* was the capital of both the *Byzantine Empire* and the *Ottoman Empire*. 🌐 *16. Turkish Cuisine* Turkish cuisine is world-famous, with dishes like *kebab*, *hummus*, *baklava*, and *meze*. 🌐 *17. Sports* *Football* is the most popular sport in Turkey, along with *basketball* and *water sports*. 🌐 *18. Turkish Culture* Turkey is a blend of *Eastern and Western* influences, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. 🌐 *19. Education*Turkey has a strong educational system, with well-known universities like *Boğaziçi University* and *Istanbul University*. 🌐 *20. Renewable Energy* Turkey is investing in *renewable energy*, particularly in *solar* and *wind power*. 🌐 *21. Trade and Industry* Turkey is a major commercial hub, exporting products such as *textiles*, *machinery*, and *agricultural products*. 🌐 *22. Islamic Culture* Turkey has a rich Islamic history, with many famous *mosques* like the *Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)*. 🌐 *23. Turkish Arts* Turkey is known for its arts, including *calligraphy*, *Islamic decoration*, and *traditional dances*. 🌐 *24. Space and Astronomy* Turkey is developing its own space program and aims to reach space in the coming years. 🌐 *25. Politics* Turkey is a member of *NATO* and the *G20*, playing a key role in global politics. Turkey is a country with a *long history* and *rich culture*, blending *ancient traditions* with modern developments, making it an exciting destination for tourists and investors alike. C: Geographic

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the West's silence on the Gaza genocide emboldened Israel to continue its carnage in the blockaded Palestinian enclave 🔗 https://trt.global/world/article/8d6dab1af55d

The Linguistic Structure of Iran 🇮🇷 Iran is a highly diverse country with many languages spoken across its regions. The most prominent language is Persian (Farsi), which serves as the official language. However, there are several other major languages, often categorized into distinct linguistic groups: 1. Indo-Iranian Group • Persian (Farsi) – Official and widely spoken across Iran. • Kurdish – Mainly spoken in western regions. • Baluchi – Spoken in southeastern Iran. 2. Turkic Group • Azerbaijani (Azeri) – Predominantly spoken in the northwest. • Turkmen – Spoken in the northeastern provinces. • Qashqai (Kashkai) is a Turkic language spoken by the Qashqai people, a semi-nomadic pastoralist group primarily living in the southwestern region of Iran, particularly in Fars province. It belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family, which includes Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Turkmen. Qashqai is closely related to Azerbaijani, and many speakers are bilingual, also fluent in Persian (Farsi). The Qashqai people have a rich cultural heritage and maintain their own distinct traditions, including their language, despite the dominance of Persian in the region. • 3. Semitic Group • Arabic – Spoken in the southwestern regions, particularly Khuzestan. 4. Caucasian and Other Minority Languages • Gilaki and Mazandarani – Spoken along the Caspian Sea coast. • Armenian – Spoken by the Armenian minority in various cities. Hashtags: #LinguisticDiversity #IranLanguages #PersianLanguage #CulturalDiversity #Iran #Linguistics

At the Cingino Dam, located 7 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of Antrona Schieranco, province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in Piedmont, Italy, you will see some Alpine ibexes climbing up its wall. The Cingino Dam is almost vertical. It is 160 feet high and these wild goats climb almost to the top. This species of goat lives in the European Alps, has split hooves with rubber-like soles. They are exceptional climbers... but watching them climb up this vertical wall is absolutely amazing! Why would they do this? Their diet, which consists mostly of grass, gives them a huge craving for salt. Coincidentally, the wall of the Cingino Dam in Italy is built of salt-encrusted stones, with the really good, salty stone blocks near the top of the dam. So, to get to these mineral-rich salts, these goats do the seemingly impossible... they climb up a vertical wall.

Islamic World The Islamic world refers to countries and regions where Islam is dominant, influencing various aspects of life, including culture, politics, law, and education. It is not just limited to the Middle East; it spans Africa, Asia, and Europe. Critical Aspects of the Islamic World: 1. Geographical Spread: Middle East and North Africa (MENA): The heartland of Islam, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey. South Asia: Countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, where Islam plays a central role. Southeast Asia: Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, Malaysia, and Brunei. Sub-Saharan Africa: Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Somalia have significant Muslim populations. Europe: There are significant Muslim communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and growing populations in Western Europe due to migration. 2. Cultural and Religious Practices: Religious Practices: The Five Pillars of Islam (Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj) are central to Islamic life. Islamic Law (Sharia): In many Muslim-majority countries, Sharia law influences or directly governs legal systems, covering everything from criminal law to personal status issues like marriage and inheritance. Language: Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam, but other languages, such as Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and Malay, are widely spoken in the Islamic world. 3. Historical Contributions: The Golden Age of Islam (8th to 14th century) was a period of significant advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, with learning centres in cities like Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba. Architecture: Islamic architecture is renowned for its mosques, madrasas (schools), and palaces, featuring minarets, domes, and intricate geometric designs. 4. Modern-Day Dynamics: Political Landscape: The Islamic world includes various governance systems, from monarchies in the Gulf States to republics in Iran and Turkey. Political Islam and movements like the Muslim Brotherhood have had significant influence in some regions. Economic Power: The Islamic world includes some of the world's largest oil producers, like Saudi Arabia and Iran, which play a critical role in global energy markets. Social Issues: The Islamic world faces diverse social challenges, from modernisation and globalisation to debates over women's rights, democracy, and the role of religion in the state. 5. Global Influence: Diaspora: Significant Muslim communities in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world contribute to the global influence of Islam. Interfaith Relations: Islam is one of the world's major religions, with interfaith dialogue becoming increasingly important in promoting understanding and cooperation between different religious communities. The Islamic world is diverse and complex, with a rich history and significant impact on global culture, politics, and economics.