• Crumbling model dinosaurs at the abandoned Wonderland Eurasia theme park near the Turkish capital of Ankara. AFP
    Crumbling model dinosaurs at the abandoned Wonderland Eurasia theme park near the Turkish capital of Ankara. AFP
  • The former attraction opened in March 2019 with the ambition of being 'Europe's largest theme park' but shut down within a year. AFP
    The former attraction opened in March 2019 with the ambition of being 'Europe's largest theme park' but shut down within a year. AFP
  • Wonderland Eurasia, previously known as Ankapark, has been left to rot since. Reuters
    Wonderland Eurasia, previously known as Ankapark, has been left to rot since. Reuters
  • The park had 17 roller coasters, the second-most worldwide. It was closed permanently in February 2020. AFP
    The park had 17 roller coasters, the second-most worldwide. It was closed permanently in February 2020. AFP
  • Political turmoil, uneven ride quality and a lack of attendance caused the massive park to close its doors after less than a year of operation. AFP
    Political turmoil, uneven ride quality and a lack of attendance caused the massive park to close its doors after less than a year of operation. AFP
  • Abandoned dinosaur statues. AFP
    Abandoned dinosaur statues. AFP
  • The project, built by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, cost hundreds of millions of dollars. AFP
    The project, built by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, cost hundreds of millions of dollars. AFP
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had delivered a rousing speech at the opening ceremony of Wonderland Eurasia, but now even this lion looks fed up with his lot. AFP
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had delivered a rousing speech at the opening ceremony of Wonderland Eurasia, but now even this lion looks fed up with his lot. AFP
  • Wonderland Eurasia theme park is left to gather dust. AFP
    Wonderland Eurasia theme park is left to gather dust. AFP
  • This dinosaur has lost much of its ferocity. AFP
    This dinosaur has lost much of its ferocity. AFP
  • The much-vaunted theme park has been reduced to its bare bones. AFP
    The much-vaunted theme park has been reduced to its bare bones. AFP
  • What remains of the site is an eyesore. Reuters
    What remains of the site is an eyesore. Reuters

MENA

Inside Turkey's desolate theme park - in pictures

Despite its ambition to be 'Europe's largest amusement park', the park shut down within a year

The National

July 28, 2022

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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

The%20specs
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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm

Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh209,000 

On sale: now

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
Updated: July 28, 2022, 10:55 AM
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