The word most often used to describe the region of Cappadocia is “otherworldly”. 37 in central Anatolia about 290 kilometers southeast of the Turkish capital of Ankara, Cappadocia attracts tourists by offering an interesting side trip from the usual tour of the Mediterranean coast. In Cappadocia, you can find a rich diversity of sites from various periods, from the time of the Hitties (enemies to the ancient Egyptians) to 38 of the early Christians and to the 13th century Great Silk Road era. But most of what is unique here stems from 39 geological history. Volcanic 40 over the last 10 million years covered the area in ashes, which became compacted to form a soft, porous rock called tuff.