These lands are inhabited since First Stone age back to 7500 BC. So many civilizations were founded in this beautiful unique country; Hittite Empire, The Trojan War and the fall of Troy, establishment of the Phrygian, Ionian, Lycian, Lydian, Carian, Urartian and Pamphylian Kingdoms, Homer was born in Izmir (Smyrna) in 700 BC, Aegean Hellenism began.
The Romans incorporated Anatolia as the province of Asia, controlled from Ephesus. Antioch have seen the marriage of Antony and Cleopatra in 40 BC. St. Paul spreaded Christianity between 47-57 AD, Roman Empire adopted Christianity in 313. These lands witnessed the fascinating period of Byzantine Empire then the fall of Constantinople - the birth of Istanbul and powerful Ottoman Empire especially when Suleyman the Magnificient was ruling the country. After the decline of Ottomans, modern Republic of Turkey was founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Without any doubt, this country has an outstanding history, and therefore is a land of complete historic treasures from 13 different civilizations spanning over 10,000 years. Spending even a short time in any place in Turkey is far enough to experience a lot from this history and heritage of the country.
The Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), a national hero and the "Father of the Turks." The national War of Independence took place in the country’s history between 1919 and 1923 under Ataturk’s leadership and Turkey adopted extensive legal, political and also social reforms. Meanwhile, Turkey instituted secular laws instead any religious rules or rulers.
Turkey joined the UN in 1945. The country became a member of NATO in 1952.
Turkey is 780.580 sq km and located between 36 and 42 long latitude, and 26 and 45 east longitude. The country is divided into 7 geographic regions in which different climates can relatively be experienced.
1. Marmara (Marmara)
2. Aegean (Ege)
3. Mediterranean (Akdeniz)
4. Southeastern (Guney Dogu): summers are hot and winters are rainy
5. Eastern (Dogu): winters are long and snowy cold whereas summers are mild.
6. Blacksea (Karadeniz) the coast of Blacksea has warm summers, mild winters, and relatively high rainfall.
7. Central Anatolia (Ic Anadolu): its climate is steppe with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts have typical Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot whereas winters are mild. Swimming season becomes shorter if one goes north.
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (YTL); which was old Turkish lira (TRL) before 1 January 2005.
Please click for exchange rates (
http://www.xe.com/ucc/ )
At many shops and restaurants in Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara coasts and in all big cities foreign currency is acceptable way of payment.
Currency and Money can be exchanged in banks, change offices, post offices and in shops, however make sure you take your passport or ID with you for the purpose of your identification.
Main electricity is 220 volt and 50 (Hz) AC, the same as in most of European countries whereas plugs and sockets are also the same as in the Continental countries of the European Union. However, British and American visitors need plug adapters for electrical appliances.
Turkey practices safe hygienic standards. Tap water is suitable for bathing and regular day cleaning such as washing face, brushing teeth etc. However, the majority of locals and visitors prefer bottled water to drink, as it is customary in most Mediterranean countries.
Government Offices:
Open: Monday to Friday (8:30-12:30), (13:30-17:30)
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Banks:
Open: Monday to Friday (8:30-12:00), (13:30-17:00)
Closed: Saturday and Sunday (It is also possible to find open banks at weekends)
Shops:
Open: Monday to Saturday (9:30-13:00), (14:00-19:00)
Closed: Sunday (There also are many potential shops open on Sunday) The most shops in the tourist regions are opened until midnight in the summer months.
Shopping Malls are open everyday between 10:00 to 22:00
Religious Holidays are celebrated in different times but in every year due to the holidays are set by Islamic Calendar:
• Şeker Bayramı
• Kurban Bayramı
Official Holidays:
• New Year's Day: January 1
• National Independence and Children Day: April 23
• Atatürk Commemoration and Youth and Sports Day: May 19
• Victory Day (final out of invading forces in 1922): August 30
• National Day (Anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic): October 29
The "müezzin" calls prayers in the mosque, five times in a day. Muslims wash themselves and take their shoes off before they enter into a mosque. Foreign visitors should also take their shoes off and show the respect when one visits a mosque. Women on the other hand should cover their hair and arms, and should not wear mini skirts. Men should also not wear shorts.
Modern Turkey is composed of a highly young population which makes the country a very energetic republic. Istanbul, which was the capital of three empires, is Turkey's largest city today, with almost 10 million residents.
Society of the Turkish Republic are, mainly, a mix of many different ethnic backgrounds including Turks, Armenians, Kurds, Caucasians, Georgians, Arabs, Greeks, Thracians, Russians and many more. The country as it has always been enjoys the diversity of all the cultural differences of these ethnic backgrounds. The people are hospitable, friendly and helpful.
VAT is charged on assets and services bought in Turkey and also on imports into Turkey. Exports on the other hand are not subject to VATs.
In most cases, VAT is 18% in Turkey. There are different tax rates between 1% and 8% for goods and services as defined in law.
Tax on transaction performed by banks and insurance companies is 5%.
TAXI
Taxis are many in every town and identifiable by their yellow colour. The meter located by the steering wheel reads according to the distance travelled and also shows how much one has to pay in Turkish Liras.
DOLMUS
The Dolmus is a special service that one can see only in Turkey. This way of transportation is a collective taxi following precise routes. Each passenger pays according to distance which is travelled and can get off at a stop specified as stop. This is especially practical and much cheaper than a taxi.
BUS (INTER - CITY COACHES)
Busses are well-organized and an affordable way to travel in Turkey. Many private - conditioned bus companies provide frequent day and night services between all Turkish cities. Coaches depart from the main bus stations. The major bus lines have comfortable and spacious coaches, and coffee, tea and snacks are offered.
TRAIN
The general Turkish State Railways network connects most major cities. On some trains, sleeping compartments are available. Please visit http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/ for more information on how and where to buy tickets and to see routes.
The population of Turkey is approximately 65.000.000. Almost 70% of this population live in cities today, whereas 30% of total population live in rural areas. Due to modernization of agriculture and developments in bigger cities, a mass internal migration took place from rural areas to cities in 1970s.This internal migration still continues at a great speed. However it causes a chain of problems in development of cities itself and therefore affects the sustainability of development. However, it is the actuality that population is mostly concentrated in big cities today, in which economical and social developments take place more than other cities.
Population growth rate is 1.06% as estimated in 2006. This rate had been decreased in time however early rates of population growth have been the reasons of very young population today. The age of 26% of population is between 0 and 14 years and almost 68% is between 15 and 64 years.
99% of the population are Muslim (mostly Sunni), 1% is mostly Christians and Jews.
Turkey is a natural bridge between Asia and Europe. The European part of the country is 24.000 sq km, while the Asian part or Minor Asia is 757.000 sq km. The country is surrounded by four seas and has several neighbours: the country has its borders with Georgia and Armenia in the north by Black Sea; Iran, Iraq and Syria in the east and southeast; Greece and Bulgaria in the northwest by Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea in the west.
Turkey is 780.580 sq km in total and located between 36 and 42 long latitude, and 26 and 45 east longitude. Turkey is divided into 7 geographic regions which have different types of climate, landscape and fauna:
1. Marmara (Marmara)
2. Aegean (Ege)
3. Mediterranean (Akdeniz)
4. Southeastern (Guney Dogu)
5. Eastern (Dogu)
6. Blacksea (Karadeniz)
7. Central Anatolia (Ic Anadolu)
The total area of Turkey makes the country one of the biggest countries in Europe.
The official language of Turkey is Turkish, which consists of the Latin Alphabet. English and German is also widely spoken.
More information on language, if you would like to learn some words please visit
http://www.onlineturkish.com/
http://www.helloturkey.net/language-alt.html
http://www.answers.com/topic/turkish-language
Local time all over the country is equal to GMT + 2 hours.
Capital city is Ankara. Turkey is a secular parliamentary representative democratic republic. Head of the government is the Prime Minister of Turkey. Turkey's political system is based on the principle of the separation of powers:
1. Legislative Power: is vested in The Turkish Grand National Assembly (550 deputies; representing 81 provinces).
2. Executive Power: is exercised by the government.
3. Judicial Power: is independent of the executive and legislative powers and highly structured. The freedom and independence of the Judicial System is protected within the constitution.
The country had its first experiments with multi-party politics in 1950. Since then, Turkish political parties have increased eventually.
Turkey demands an official entry visa from the citizens of several countries. Before you get to Turkey, it is highly recommended to check with a Turkish consulate in your country to determine if you need a visa. In some cases, you may obtain a visa upon arrival at Istanbul airport for a small fee. For more visa information please also visit the official website of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.mfa.gov.tr/MFA/ConsularInformation/ForForeigners/VisaInformation/.
