Turkey In Brief

Official Name:         The Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti)
Founder:                 Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK (1881-1938)
Capital:                   ANKARA
 
Turkish Flag
Population:             67.8 million (as of 2000)
Language:              Turkish (uses Latin Alphabet)
Currency:                New Turkish Liras (YTL)

Location:
Located on the continents of Europe and Asia. The European part of Turkey is called Thrace, and the Asian part is called Anatolia or Asia Minor
Area:                      814 578 Km2 (314 500 square miles).  
% 3 on the European continent
% 97 on the Asian continent
Major Cities:
               Istanbul   10.0 million
                Ankara    4.0 million
                Izmir        3.3 million
                Konya     2.2 million
                Bursa      2.1 million
                Adana     1.8 million
                Antalya  1.7 million
Religion:
99 percent of the population is Muslim. Asia modern country Turkey secured her all citizens freedom of belief with constitutional rules.
National Anthem: Istiklal Marsi
Lyrics by : Mehmet Akif Ersoy
Adopted as Turkey™s National Anthem on March 12,1921
Administration:
Turkey is democratic, secular and social state that governed by the rule of law; committed to the nationalism of Ataturk and based on the principle of the separation of powers;
Legislative Power: The Turkish Grand National Assembly
Executive Power: President and the Council of Ministers.
Judicial Power:      Independent courts and supreme judiciary organs.
Coastline:                8333 Km. (5000 miles)
Turkey is surrounded by sea from three sides, the Black Sea in the north, the Mediterranean is in the south and the Aegean Sea is in the west. Also in the northwest there is an important internal sea, the Sea of Marmara. Turkey has two bosphorus. One of them is Istanbul Bosphorus and the other one is Canakkale Bosphorus. Both of them is like a bridge that stayed between Europe and Asia.
Geographical Regions:
Turkey has 80 administrative provinces and seven geographical regions.
The first four of the seven regions are taken their names because of the seas which are nearest to them.
- Black Sea Region
- Marmara Region
- Aegean Region
- Mediterranean Region
The other three regions are named in accordance with their location in the whole of Anatolia.
- Central Anatolia Region
- Eastern Anatolia Region
- South Eastern Anatolia Region
Famous Landmarks
Ayasofya Museum, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, ancient City of Troy, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Göreme- Cappadocia, Mt.Nemrut, Safranbolu
Some important products
As of 1998, Turkey is the world's largest producer of hard-shell nuts, fig and apricot, fourth STET in fresh vegetables, grape and tobacco production and seventh in wheat and cotton production. Turkish delight and helva are famous throughout the world.
 Turkey is the leading producer through worldwide in textiles and ready wear clothing production. The exports of this sector constitutes 36 percent of total industrial exports. The leather processing industry is also very developed in Turkey, both in terms of technological level and high production capacity. It places second to textiles in terms of export figures.
 
Other Useful Information
Time:
Local time is equal to GMT + 2 hours. Same time zone all over the country ( seven hours ahead of U.S. eastern standard time )
Electricity:               220 volts a.c. throughout Turkey
Weights and Measures:  Metric and Kilo system
 
TRIP PREPARATION
When To Come
Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: These coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The swimming season becomes shorter the further north one goes: Marmara and North Aegean - June to September; South Aegean and Mediterranean - April to October.
Black Sea Coast: Warm summers, mild winters, and relatively high rainfall.
Central Anatolia: Steppe climate with hot, dry summers; cold winters.
Eastern Anatolia: Long snowy cold winters with mild summers.
Southeast Anatolia: Hot summer with mild, rainy winters.
Information
For full information concerning a trip to Turkey, contact your nearest Turkish Tourist Information Office. In Turkey, there are information offices in all principal cities and tourist centers.
What To Wear
a) Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: Light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for evening.
b) Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolia: Summer wear, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes.
c) Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archeological and historical sites.
d) Sun hats and sunglasses are advisable in the summer.
e) Headscarves should be brought by women for visiting mosques.
 
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