The dry, arid highlands that form the plateau of Central Anatolia are the heartland of Turkey. The region is full of scenery, such as the extraordinary magical landscape of Cappadocia, but also full of the remains of ancient civilizations that go back more than 7500 years ago. The grasslands, that form the vast steppe that characterizes Central Anatolia, were once home to the mighty Turkish nomad tribes who used it as a base to conquer the Byzantine Empire. Atatürk founded his modern capital Ankara right in the centre of the region. For the history lovers, Central Anatolia has certainly lots to offer, such as Seljuk and Ottoman medreses, mosques, caravanserais, there is the mysterious Phrygian Valley, and last but not least the world-famous museum of Anatolian Civilizations at Ankara.