Cappadocia, best seen from above

Number of tourists visiting Cappadocia, one of the most popular tourism destinations in Turkey, has increased 34 percent in January and February 2013 compared to the same term of 2012. Cappaocia where is famous for its chimney rocks, hot air balloon trips, underground cities and boutique hotels carved into rocks, was visited by 171,748 Turkish and foreign tourists in January and February 2013, according to the statement released by the Governorate of Nevsehir. 120,90 tourists had visited Cappadocia during January and February 2012. 2.5 million tourists had visited Cappadocia in 2012. It was added that, tourists mostly visited Goreme open-air museum, Kaymakli underground city and Derinkuyu underground city in the famous Cappadocia region. Hot-air ballooning and trekking are the most popular activities to do in Cappadocia. Sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams and ignimbrite deposits that erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago, underlie the Cappadocia region. The rocks of Cappadocia near Goreme eroded into hundreds of pillars and minaret-like forms. People of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia region carved out houses, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits. Goreme became a monastic centre in 300-1200 AD.