TURKEY A FANTASTIC COUNTRY BETWEEN THE WEST AND EAST

Location : Turkey (Turkiye in Turkish) is a country located at a point where the 3 continents of the old world (Asia, Africa and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and Europe meet.

Because of its geographical location, Anatolia has always been important throughout history and is the birthplace of many great civilizations.

The surface area of Turkey including the lakes is 814,578 km² / 314,503 sq miles. It is much larger than many European countries or even Texas (18%) in the US. Out of the total land, 97% is in Asia and this part is called Anatolia or Asia Minor; 3% is in Europe which is called Thrace.

Although 97% of Turkey is located in Asia, in many respects it is accepted as a European country and as a result, Turkey takes its place in nearly all European contests and associations.

Population : 70 millions approximately

Greatest City : Istanbul is the greatest city having over 15 millions of inhabitants.

Turkish society have modernized after the revolutions and reforms of Ataturk-the founder of Turkey. Westernization is high at cities but traditions of Turkey are different from West. The people at the country side are more conservative and traditional. Hospitality is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish way of life. Every Turkish people feels bound to honour his guest in the best possible manner.

Language : Turkish is written in the Latin alphabet and is spoken by some 150 million in the world.

Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian and Jews)

Political structure : The Turkish Republic is based on a secular democratic,pluralist and arilamentary system. Although Turkey is 99% Moslem, it is a secular stale that guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Moslems.

National capital: Ankara

Flag : Red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening.

Money : The national monetary unit is Turkish Lira (TL)

Education : 8 years of primary and middle school is compulsory for children. After the middle school, secondary, high schools, private colleges and universities are available.

History : Turkey has heen called "the cradle of civilizaton" and by traveling through this historic land, tourists will discover exactly what is meant by this pharase. The world''''s first town, a neolithic city at Catalhoyuk, dates back to 6,500 B.C. From the days of Catalhoyuk up to the present, Turkey boasts a rich culture that through the centuries has made a lasting impression on modern civillcation. The heir to many centuries of cultures makes Turkey a paradise of information and cultural wealth. Hattis, Hittitess, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans have all made important contributions to Turkish history, and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof of each civilizaton''''s unique distinction.
Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal, who was a soilder by ocupation but in character, a great visionary, took the defeat of World War I and turned it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey of al foreign invaders. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. He led his country into peace and stability, with tremendous economic growth and complete mtodernization. Through decades of change and growth, Turkey till boasts this succes, living by its adopted motto of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World.

Climate : Turkey enjoys a variety of climates changing from the temperate and rainy climate of Black Sea to the continental climate of the interior, then , to the Meditarenean climate of the Aegean and the Meditarenean Coastal regions.Summers are hot, springs are warm and winters are usually are cold or cool. Autumn is nice for the entire duration of September and October. Then the wheather starts to cool down. The above is what you should expect normally. However global climate changes, as you may have noticed in your own country. So here may be small changes in the climate descriptions given above. When to visit Turkey (Weather)Below, "best time " to visit some cities and regions in Turkey is given. The disadvantage for coming between these dates: Hotel rates are higher.

Best time for Istanbul: April-June, September, October.
Best time for Mediterranean: April-October.
Best time for Egean: May-October.
Best time for Bursa: December-February
Best time for the Black Sea region: July-August

Economy : Agriculture plays an important role in Turkish economy. Turkey is the one of the most important food exporters in the world. The main crops are wheat, rice, cotton, tea, tobacco, hazelnuts and fruits. Sheeps are Turkey''''s most important live-stock, Turkey is one of the greatest wool and cotton producers in Europe. Industial goods have also come to play an important role in the economy bringing the economic growth to a higher ratio, from white goods to cars. Turkey has become a major touristic destination in Europe. With the rapid development of summer & winter tourism facilities, people from all over the world are able to enjoy the cultural, historical and natural sites of Turkey.

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Turkey

1 - St. Sophia Museum
2 - Blue Mosque - Sultan Ahmet Camii
3 - Pamukkale
4 - Ephesus
5 - Cappadocia Region
6 - Pergamon
7 - Sardis
8 - Aspendus
9 - Commagene Kingdom at Mt.Nemrut
10- Gallipoli - Canakkale

Top 10 Museums to visit in Turkey

1 - Ankara Anatolian Civilisations Museum
2 - Antalya Archaeology Museum
3 - Antakya Mosaic Museum
4 - Istanbul Archaeology Museum
5 - Konya Mevlana Museum
6 - Ephesus Archaeology Museum
7 - Ankara Anitkabir Museum
8 - Topkapi Palace Museum
9 - Istanbul Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
10- Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum

Top 10 "must do" activities in Turkey

1- Have a Turkish Bath.
2- Walk on a magic carpet - and buy one if possible!
3- Take a boat cruise on the Bosphorus (Istanbul).
4- Bargain for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar or anywhere.
5- Sip tea and play backgammon at the local tea house.
6- Buy delicious sesame covered simit from a street vendor.
7- Catch a performance of the renowned Whirling Dervishes.
8- Take a boat trip on a traditional wooden Gulet (Aegean).
9- Take a ride on a dolmus (small minibuses).
10- Visit the Barber for a haircut, shave or massage.
11-Watch a folk and belly dancing performance.
Please excuse us, we couldn''''t eliminate any of these 11.

Top 10 " Did you know ? "

1 - Mt. Ararat (Noah''''s Ark) is located in Turkey.
2 - First Coinage in history was invented by the Lydians in the 7th C BC, in Asia Minor.
3 - St. Nicholas known as Santa Claus, was born and lived as bishop of Myra (Kale) in Turkey.
4 - Turkish women received the rights to vote and to be elected to office in 1934, earlier than Swiss, Greek, Italian and French women.
5 - St. Paul was born in Tarsus, southern part of Turkey and undertook most of his missionary journeys in Anatolia (Asia Minor).
6 - The Seven Churches of Revelation are all located in Turkey; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelpia and Laodicea.
7 - Turkey is the largest producer of hazelnuts in the world.
8 - Turkey uses the Latin Alphabet and Gregorian Calendar.
9 - Tulips were introduced to Holland from Anatolia by Ogier Ghiselinde Busbecq. He was the ambassador of Charles V to Suleyman the Magnificient in 1554.
10 - Two of the seven wonders of the world are in Turkey;

- The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnasus - Bodrum

Top 10 Souvenirs to buy and shopping in Turkey
1 - Blue Eye
2 - Carpets and Kilims
3 - Leather Clothing
4 - Pottery
5 - Jewelry
6 - Ceramics
7 - Onyx
8 - Spices
9 - Copper Ornaments
10- Turkish Delight.