Yassıada, just 4 miles away from Turgutreis, is well known for its 16 historical shipwrecks that sank between the 4th and 16th centuries, it is now being opened up to diving tourism and to international underwater archaeological researchers. This small island has attracted many scholars to its shores because of the ancient ships which sank in various periods of history. The dangerous area around the island caused many accidents and became a tomb for many ancient ships. The area around
Yassıada is accepted as one of the richest locations in the world for underwater archaeology.
The Yassıada underwater Diving Centre Project run by the municipality of Turgutreis, boasts pressure rooms, underwater cameras and cinevision centres as well as the usual conference salons, restaurants and cafeterias. The diving centre will be open throughout the year.
The merchandise laden ships that sank around Yassıada over many centuries offer unrivalled historical and cultural opportunities for finding remnants of various civilisations including the famous amphora used to carry a multitude of goods.

Turgutreis to host scouts from all over the world
A record number of 5000 scouts from 35 different countries around the world will be ttending the ‘Anatolian 2008 International Scouts Camp', between the 4th - 11th July 2008 in Turkey.

This is the first time this event has been organised in Turkey and will be held in the municipality of Turgutreis, a popular holiday resort in the Turkish Riviera. Turgutreis is renowned for its unique picturesque sunsets and for the large abundance of history which can be found such as fountains, tombs, cisterns and religious buildings from various historical periods.
‘Scout Village' being built in Turgutreis
Preparations on the plot of land to house all the scouts and guides are continuing where a huge purpose-built "Scout Village" is being constructed. The purposefully designated village in Bahcelievler an area, laced with a beautiful beach will contain a multitude of facilities and entertainment such as cinemas, shopping areas, internet chat rooms, cafes, dining halls, stores, banks, a post office and health and fitness centres.

Surfing, jet skiing and paragliding
The scouts, who are coming from the United Kingdom, America, Italy, Greece, France, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Japan and many other countries, will be staying at the camp for 10 days and during this time there will be displays and activities from their own diverse cultures where they can represent their countries with cultural dances, traditional costume and food tasting.
World cultures will meet
There will be many facilities available to the young scouts in Turgutreis; they will all have an opportunity to enjoy themselves in the cool waters of Turgutreis by taking part in canoeing, wind surfing, jet skiing and paragliding.Various activities include football, beach volleyball, table tennis, chess, horse-riding, mountain biking, climbing and hiking will be organized for the scouts and their guides.
"Cultural fusion" the Mayor of Turgutreis
In his comments about the meeting of world scouts in Turgutreis and the cultural fusion that will be experienced, the Mayor of Turgutreis Mr Ali Server Yazgan said that "The scouts who are coming from all over the world will present their own cultures and traditions to each other; we expect the event to take place in a festive and joyous atmosphere. It is very exciting that we are able to host such a big event and it gives us the opportunity to introduce our great town to the world. We aim to provide every possible facility and comfort for the scouts so when they return home they would have had an unforgettable time at the camp".

Ye Olde World....
One of the oldest shipwrecks in the world has been lying in the south-western waters of the Anatolian coast, the most ancient paradise of civilisation. The merchant ship which has been dated at 1400 BC was travelling the busy trade route of the Neolithic times. The shipwreck found at Uluburun was carrying a huge variety of cargo including materials from Egypt, blue glass ingots from the Syria - Palestine region, artefacts from Cyprus, cosmetics, tools and weapons from all over the Eastern Mediterranean. The shipwreck was discovered by a sponge diver in 1982 and it was recovered using techniques of underwater excavation in eleven consecutive campaigns of three to four months duration each from 1984 to 1994; the remains can now be seen in the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology. The Uluburun shipwreck and many other artefacts from Southwest Anatolia will soon be sent on a journey to Europe and the USA to be displayed as the origin and sources of civilization of ‘The Old World'.