Anatolia
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Anatolia (Turkish: Anadolu from Greek: Ανατολία - Anatolía) is a peninsula of Western Asia which forms the greater part (96 %) of the Asian portion of Turkey, as opposed to the European portion (4 %) (Thrace, or traditionally Rumelia). It is also often called by the Latin name of Asia Minor, which comes from the Greek Μικρά Ασία (Mikra Asia).
The name comes from the Greek Aνατολή (Αnatolḗ) or Ανατολία (Anatolía), which means "east". The Byzantine theme of "Anatolikon" ("eastern one") signified the lands to the east of Europe and Constantinople. On the First Theme, Called Anatolikon. This theme is called Anatolikon, not because it is above and in the direction of the east whence the sun rises, but because it lies east of us who are the inhabitants of Byzantium and Europe." The Turkish form Anadolu derives from the Greek version; Turkish folk etymology breaks down the geographical term into two words, "mother" and "full" Thus, Ana, dolu 'Mother, it is full' or 'Full of mothers'.
