Cappadocia

Over the past five years, more than 2 million tourists explored Turkey's Cappadocia region on the distinctive hot air balloons that have become symbolic of the historical region.

Cappadocia is located in central Anatolia's Nevşehir province and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.

A Turkish man has been living alone in a remote village for a year, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Feb. 15.

İsmail Varol has been fending for himself after his father passed away one year ago, following his mother's loss. He has been living alone in Central Anatolia's Nevşehir province's Çekme Village.

An area in the eastern province of Van's Başkale district, which is called "Vanadoccia" by locals due to its resemblance to Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, has been declared as a protected area.

An area in the eastern province of Van's Başkale district, which is called "Vanadoccia" by locals due to its resemblance to Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, has been declared as a protected area.

With a presidential decree dated Feb. 11, Vanadoccia became a "strictly protected sensitive area."

As winter tightens its grip in Turkey, Cappadocia's beautiful scenery under a blanket of new pristine snow mesmerizes visitors. (IHA Photo)

Dozens of hot air balloons have brightened up the skies above Cappadocia. (AA Photo)

Adnan Çelebi, who has been a craftsman for 30 years in Avanos district of Cappadocia, has been making the world's smallest jugs for 15 years.

Lion cubs, born nearly three weeks ago in the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality Zoo, have been living in a special section where they spend time with their mother and play under veterinary monitoring. 

Kayseri Airport being a scant hour-and-a-half from Istanbul by airplane, flying is the most practical way of getting there. The biggest city in the entire Cappadocia Valley, Kayseri sits smack dab on the cusp between the Central Anatolia steppe and the Eastern Anatolian Plateau, which boasts the highest mountains in Turkey.

A historical settlement that was discovered by chance during urban transformation works five years ago in the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir is set to be opened to tourism soon.