Information of Turkey
Turkey has so much to offer its visitors - breathtaking natural beauties, unique
historical and archaeological places, steadily improving hotel and touristic
infrastructure and a tradition of hospitality and competitive prices. Therefore, it is
not surprising that this country has recently become one of the most popular
tourism destination of the world. Due to Turkey's diverse geography, one can
experience four different climates in any one day. The rectangular shaped country
which is surrounded on three sides by the three different seas. Its shores are laced
with beaches, bays, coves, ports, islands and peninsulas.
The summers are long, lasting as long as the eight months in some areas. Turkey
is also blessed with majestic mountains and valleys, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and
grottoes perfect for winter, summer tourism and the sports of all kinds. Skiing fans,
mountain climbers, trekkers, hikers and hunters are able to enjoy take a new and
unforgettable experiences in Turkey. Turkey is, above anything else, a huge open-
air museum, a repository of all the civilizations nurtured by the soils of Anatolia.
The huge amount of the historical and archaeological wealth in Turkey seems more
appropriate for an entire continent than a single country
Recently, a new field of tourism has opened up in Turkey. İt is a health tourism.
The country is in fact rich with hot springs, healing waters and healing muds, which
come highly recommended by the medical authorities as a remedy for many
diseases. For centuries, Turkey has also been a crossroads of religions, not only of
Islam and Christianity, but also of many others now forgotten by history. Many
religious devotees can find a site, a shrine, a monument, a tomb or a ruin
connected with their faith or belief.
Facts:
Official Name
Republic of Turkey
Date of Foundation
29 October 1923
Capital
Ankara
Largest Cities
Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya
Area
814.578 km2
Geographical Coordinates
Eastern Meridians 26° and 45° and Northern Parallels 36° and 42°
Coastal Borders
Mediterranean Sea in the south, Aegean Sea in the west and Black Sea in the
north
Language
The official language is Turkish. English is widely spoken in major cities.
Currency
TL (Turkish Lira) 1 Euro approximately equals to 2,30 Turkish Liras.
Time Zone
GMT+2; CET +1; and EST (US -East) +7
Business Hours
The workweek in Turkey runs from Monday to Friday. Banks, government offices
and majority of corporate offices open at 9 AM and close at 5 PM.
Public Holidays
There are two types of public holidays in Turkey: Those that fall on the same day
each year; and the religious festivals, which change according to the lunar
calendar and, therefore, fall on different dates each year.
1 January, 23 April, 1 May, 19 May, 30 August, 28 & 29 October
Eid (Ramadan): 30 August – 1st September 2011
Greater Eid: 7-9 November 2011
Visas
Visas are easily obtained upon arrival at the airport and are required for citizens of
most countries.
Electricity
220V. European standard round two-pin sockets.
Health Services
Cities and major touristic towns have a selection of private international and public
hospitals with good standards.
Food
As with many Mediterranean nations Turkish food is very healthy, fresh and
enjoyable.
Water
Tap water is chlorinated and, therefore, safe to drink. However, it is recommended
that you consume bottled water, which is readily and cheaply available.
Communications
Turkey has three GSM operators, all of them offering 3G services and almost 95%
coverage over the country. Internet service is available all around the country.
International Dial Code
+90
Language
The official language of the country is Turkish. It is spoken by 220 million people
and is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. Today's Turkish has
evolved from dialects known since the 11th century and is one of the group of
languages known as Ural-Altaic, which includes Finnish and Hungarian. Turkish is
written with the Latin alphabet with the addition of six different characters. İt's
completely phonetic, i.e. each letter of the alphabet has only one sound, so each
word sounds exactly how it is written. During Ottoman times Turkish was written in
Arabic script, that made a limit for a number of people who were able to write. In
order to improve literacy and therefore to overcome the difficulties of learning and
reading Turkish using Arabic script, Turkey switched to the Latin alphabet following
Atatürk's initiative started in 1928. English language has replaced by French and
German as the chief secondary language taught in schools and is becoming more
widespread. İt is widely spoken and understood by the most of the people all over
the Turkish territory. German, Russian and French are also spoken especially in
the popular holiday destinations.
Culture and Art
Turkish Culture is unique in the world in that it has influenced and has been
influenced in return by cultures and civilizations from China to Vienna and from
Russian steps to North Africa for over a millennia. Turkish culture reflects this
unparalleled cultural richness and diversity, and remains mostly shaped by its deep
roots in Middle East, Anatolia and Balkans, the cradle of many civilizations for at
least twelve thousand years.
Dance
Turkey has a very ancient folk dance tradition, which varies from region to region,
each dance being colourful, rhythmic, elegant and stylish. The following are among
the most popular: “Çayda Çıra” from the Sivas region in Central Anatolia is
performed by young girls dressed in silver and gold embroidered kaftans who
dance in the dark with lighted candles in their hands. In the “Silifke Yoğurdu” from
the Mersin region in the South Mediterranean, dancers click wooden spoons
together above their heads. “Şeyh Şamil" from the Kars region in the East, is a
beautifully dramatised legend of a Caucasian hero. "Kılıç Kalkan” is an epic dance
performed with swords and shields from the region of Bursa, and “Zeybek” from
Izmir is another epic and vigorous folk dance performed, by male dancers who
bang their knees on the floor in between steps.
Folklore has also had a considerable influence on ballet. First imported from
Europe and Russia, ballet became institutionalised in the Republican era along
with other performing arts. The Turkish State Ballet owes its momentum and
development to the great British choreographer Dame Ninette de Valois. The State
Ballet in both Ankara and İstanbul has, for decades, performed many world
classics. Several new foreign and Turkish productions have been introduced into
the repertoire over the years and a number of modern dance groups like the
infamous “Fire of Anatolia” (Anadolu Atesi) have recently begun to give
performances all over the world.
Music
Turkish music evolved from the original folk form into classical through the
emergence of a Palace culture. It attained its highest point in the 16th century
through the composer “Itri”. Great names in Turkish classical music include “Dede
Efendi”, “Hacı Arif Bey” and “Tamburi Cemil Bey”. It is a form that continues to be
professionally performed and one that attracts large audiences. Turkish music,
locally called Turkish Classical Music, is a variation of the national musical
tradition, played with instruments such as the tambur, kanun, ney and ud.
Folk music has developed gradually over the centuries in the rural areas of Turkey.
It is highly diversified with many different rhythms and themes. Musical archives
contain almost 10,000 such folk songs. Turkish religious music, mostly in the form
of songs, is centuries old and rich in tradition, embodied most perfectly by Sufi
(Mevlevi) music. The Turks were introduced to western classical music through
orchestras, which were invited to the Sultan's Palace to celebrate occasions such
as weddings. The great Italian composer, Donizetti, conducted the Palace
Orchestra for many years. The first military band was founded in the 19th century.
During the Republican era, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1924,
and the Orchestra of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory played a leading role
in introducing and popularising classical music in Turkey. Turkish composers drew
their inspiration from Turkish folk songs and Turkish classical music. Today,
conductors such as Hikmet Şimşek and Gürer Aykal, pianists like İdil Biret and the
Güher and Süher Pekinel sisters, and violinists like Suna Kan are internationally
recognised virtuosos. Leyla Gencer was one of the leading sopranos of La Scala
Opera, wildly acclaimed whenever she performed in her native Istanbul.
Opera and Ballet
In the period prior to the proclamation of the Republic in Turkey, opera, ballet and
the theatre were mostly centred around Istanbul and Izmir. The first showing of
opera at the imperial court was by artists trained by Guiseppe Donizetti (1788-
1856) from the Italian opera. During the Republic, Ahmet Adnan Saygun, Necil
Kazım Akses and Cemal Reşit Rey were the first composers of opera, operettas
and musicals. A. Adnan Saygun's first two operas, Özsoy and Taşbebek, Necil
Kazım Akses's Bay Önder staged in Ankara, a Mozart musical Bastien and
Bastienne staged at the Ankara State Conservatory with pupils playing libretto in
Turkish (1936),and the staging of western operas such as Madame Butterfly and
Tosca (1940-1941). The orchestrations, chorus and solo recitals of 1950-1952 all
contributed to form a foundation for the establishment of today's State Opera and
Ballet. Meanwhile in 1947, the famous ballerina and teacher Ninette de Valois was
invited to Istanbul and through her efforts, the National Ballet School at Yeşilköy
was set up. In 1956-57, the first dancers graduated from Ankara State
Conservatory and in 1959-60, the State Opera formed a corps de ballet.
"Çesmebaşı" which is one of the most important works in Turkish ballet history was
first performed in 1965. Notwithstanding the short history of opera in Turkey which
only spans 56 years, the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet counts
amongst its members many artists of international fame, and aside from Ankara
and Istanbul, many other branches have been set up in cities around the country
and the results everywhere have been very successful.
History and Civilisation
Turkey is considered to be one of the richest countries in terms of archaeology and
is by far the biggest "open air museum" of the world. It has always been a bridge
between the East and West and has been noted by scholars as the "melting pot" of
various cultures where classical culture was shaped. From the first known urban
city settlement of "Çatalhöyük" to the historically famous Troy and from the Ionians
(the Anatolian Greeks) to the greatest empires of the world, the Roman, Byzantine,
and Ottoman, many cultures were established and indeed flourished in and around
this huge "melting pot". Today, a traveler to Turkey can observe the features of all
of these cultures. Not only are they visible in their marvelous remains, but in their
impacts on the daily lives of Turks today, which differs greatly from one area to
another.
Early Ages- The history of Turkey tells of a 10,000 year-old civilisation. Anatolia is
a melting pot where cultures from Sumer, Babylon and Assyria interacted for
centuries with peoples such as the Hattis, Hittites and Hourrites. The result was a
unique Anatolian civilisation which has long inspired the thoughts and legends of
the West. The ancient Bronze Age witnessed the establishment of the first
independent city states. At that time, the centre and southeast of Anatolia were
inhabited by the indigenous Hattis. The most spectacular findings from this time
are those of Alaca Hoyuk in the Kızılırmak region and of Horoztepe near Tokat, in
the Black Sea region. They are contemporary with the royal tombs of Mycenae in
Greece.
Legendary Troy- Troy was founded around 3000 BC, and played a major role in
the importation of tin, vital for the production of bronze.
Top Reasons to Visit Turkey
A Turkey vacation maybe the perfect choice for you because it is a travel heaven
and a tourist hotspot. Turkey is one of the top ten destinations in the world,
according to number of visitors and revenues. Are you still wondering "why go to
Turkey?" Here are some Turkey information and the top 10 reasons why a Turkey
vacation is the ideal getaway.
1. Sun and Sea Lovers' Paradise: The unique Mediterranean climate and
beautiful nature of Turkey allows almost 6 months of summertime in southern
parts, especially in Antalya and Bodrum which are the most popular "sun and
sea" tourist destinations. The sandy beaches are splendid and the sea,
especially the Aegean coastline, is the most amazing. It is a mildly cold sea
that allows for a refreshing [Link] Voyage or Blue Crusing is the
most favorite way to visit all the beaches with a yacht while enjoying the
"turquoise" sea. This may surely be the highlight of your Turkey vacation.
2. History: Turkey is extraordinary rich in history. Did you know that Turkey
hosts the most arhaeological sites in the world? Anatolia is the birthplace of
many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends. One of the oldest
known human inhabited areas is in Çatalhöyük, Konya dating back to 6500
BC. Ephesus (Temple of Artemis), City of Troy,Cappadocia and the cave
church of [Link] are among some of the countless important sites to visit
in your Turkey vacation.
3. Accommodation: Turkey has the most amazing luxury and boutique hotels in
the world, especially in Antalya region. The lavishness and the extravaganza
in these hotels are probably unmatched since most of them cater to Russian
oligarchs and tourists as well. On the other side, you may find the most
beautiful hotels at very affordable rates due to intense competition among
travel agencies.
4. Shopping: Authentic gifts, carpets, rugs, kilims are among the tourist
favorites and shopping is breeze if you know where to go. There are more
artistic features and special creativity in Turkish carpets than any other
carpet in the world.
5. Culture: Turkey's population is a diverse mixture of many different ethnic
origins and that shows when you visit different regions of the country. Each
region has different traditions, their own arts, music and foklore, and even
their eating habits are totaly unique to the region. Even though they all pride
themselves in being Turks, this multicultural environment adds great
richness to the country.
6. Eating: Turkish cuisine is among the best in the world. It is a fusion of
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. There are so many culinary
delights like the Turkish tea, Turkish coffee and the famous Turkish delight.
You can find these almost anywhere in Turkey, while the most delicious
kebabs are in souteastern part. The foods that are brought in small portions
before the main course are called "Meze" in Turkish and they are fabulous.
They are usually consumed with the most famous Turkish alcoholic drink
called "Raki" (anise flavoured national drink). It is also referred to as the
"lion's milk". Fish also holds a very important place in Turkish cuisine and
Fish restaurants and taverns can be found near the bay areas.
7. Turkish Bath – Hamam – Spa Experience: This is definitely a must if you are
intending to visit Turkey. Turkish Bath or hamam as it is called here, will
help you relax and unwind and get rid of all your nervous energies. A Turkish
Spa is also a favorite among tourists nowadays since it combines traditional
hamam experience with more Far Eastern touches like using aromatic smells
and certain massages.
8. Nature Sports: If you are into nature sports you are in the right place. Hiking,
trekking, mountain biking, river rafting, scuba diving, windsurfing, wave
surfing, kite surfing, paragliding, parasailing, skiing, jet-skiing are among the
many nature sports that you can truly enjoy in Turkey. One more Turkey
information: The golfing industry has grown very fast over the last few years
and Turkey established itself as one of the leading golf destinations in
Europe. The golf courses especially in Belek, Antalya are spectacular.
9. Business Opportunities: Turkey is one of the largest economies in the world
yet it is still considered a developing nation. This provides enormous
business and investing opportunities, especially in the real estate sector.
Your Turkey vacation may turn into a great investing decision as well.
10. Relatively Cheap: Turkey's national currency is Turkish Lira. Compared to
Euro or Dollar, in terms of buying power, it is weaker. This presents an
advantage to travellers who convert their Euros or Dollars to TL and buy
stuff in TL. An important tip: Immediately convert your foreign currencies to
TL upon arrival to Turkey and pay everything in TL.
Importatnt Cities
Istambul-
The capital of empires... The city that dominated continents... The cradle of
civilisation... The meeting point of cultures and civilisations... These are some of
the thousands of phrases that describe İstanbul. Yet neither words nor any amount
of reading or listening are sufficient to truly describe and become familiar with the
city. Only when you walk along its historic streets, when you see with your own
eyes the architectural masterpieces of Byzantine and Ottoman Empires in their
original setting, when you enjoy the panoramic vistas of its unique location, and
when you start to explore its mystical beauties – only then will you begin to
discover, and to fall in love with İstanbul.<br /> <br /> İstanbul is the most
developed and largest city of Turkey, and the latest discoveries indicate that the
history of human habitation goes back 400,000 years ago. The Megarians settled
and founded the city of Byzantium that later lent its name to the Byzantine Empire.
However, the first settlers in the region established their city Chalcedon (Kadıköy),
on ‘the land of blind people’ which was strategically less important. And the
Megarians, led by an Oracle, became aware of the beauty of Seraglio Point
(Sarayburnu), and they established their city there on the opposite side of the
Chalcedon.<br /><br /> Today the historical peninsula is the most beautiful part of
İstanbul, and is strategically well placed. The city is surrounded by a seascape
peppered with distant islands, and this, together with the Golden Horn (Haliç), the
estuary that thrusts into the land along the peninsula, make İstanbul a unique place
– and, throughout its long history, a city that many desired to conquer. But the
desire to possess the city cannot be explained only by its strategic position or
unsurpassed beauty; it has a different attraction, a mystical magnetism that drew
states, empires and great conquerors towards it. This attraction led to a long
history of conflict, conquest and occupation between those determined to maintain
their hold on the city and those who strove to capture it.<br /><br /> For more than
1,500 years İstanbul was the capital of two empires, first the Byzantine and later
the Ottoman. It was beautified accordingly with magnificent monuments and
became a metropolis where diverse cultures, nations and religions mingle. Those
cultures, nations and religions are the small pieces that form the mosaic of
İstanbul. Perhaps some of those little pieces do not mean much to you, but as an
ensemble they make up the unique majesty of İstanbul.
Ankara
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey and the second largest city in the country after
Istanbul. It is located at the heart of both Turkey and Central Anatolia. The city is
an important commercial and industrial city, and it also houses the Turkish
government, and all foreign embassies. The population is around 4.5 million.<br
/><br /> The locals are generally helpful to tourists, and many young people can
communicate in English. Although most people will try to speak English with you,
it's a good idea to bring a Turkish phrasebook or dictionary. Ankara is the
administrative center of Turkey and a huge university town such that most of its
inhabitants consist of civil servants, students and academics.
Antalya
The turquoise shores of Antalya combine ancient cities whispering tales of history,
myth and legend, met on either side by tranquil, emerald-green forests and the
sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. This is the perfect choice for a vacation
surrounded by sea, sun, sand and more.
Along with a cultural heritage deeply rooted in history, Antalya’s coves and
highlands of unique beauty, pristine beaches, comfortable hotels and marinas,
colourful entertainment venues, and art-filled festivals all make it a tourist
destination that offers endless possibilities to its guests.
These include the pleasure of sunbathing from sunrise to sunset;the natural thrill of
outdoor sports in the grip of mother nature; the excitement of discovering national
parks with their rich flora and fauna, ancient cities, museums and Kaleiçi; the
mystery of the mountains and the peaceful Mediterranean coves drawing you away;
the romance of watching an opera outdoors under the stars at night; sampling the
unique delicacies of Turkish cuisine and enjoying the party scene. Meeting the
hospitable people of Antalya is just another part of the pleasant holiday
experience.
Canakkale
The city of Çanakkale lies at the narrow, 1200 meter entrance to the Çanakkale
Strait (the Dardanelles) that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean.
Passenger and car ferries run daily between Canakkale on the Asian side and
Eceabat and Kilitbahir on the European side.
Yachts navigating the straits stop at the well-equipped Çanakkale Marina to allow
tourists more time in the area. Hotels, restaurants and cafes along the promenade,
offer a place to enjoy the traffic in the harbor, as well as a view of the Kilitbahir
Fortress and the Çanakkale Archaeological Museum.
In 1451, Sultan Mehmet II, later the conqueror of Istanbul, built one fortress on the
European side of the Qanakkale Strait at Kilitbahir and one on the opposite shore
at Çimenlik to control the passage of ships through the strait. Today the Çimenlik
Fortress serves as a military museum dedicated to the World War I Battle of
Çanakkale.
Historic National Park of Gelibolu Peninsula was established to honor the 500,000
soldiers who lost their lives on Gelibolu, also known as Gallipoli. In 1915, Mustafa
Kemal, commander of the Turkish army, led a successful campaign to drive out
allied powers from the area. The park includes memorials, monuments, cemeteries,
the natural beauty of the Ariburnu Cliffs and Tuz Golu (Salt Lake) The beauty of the
green hills, sandy beaches and blue waters provides an honorable resting place for
the soldiers who bravely fought and died in this historic battle. You cannot help but
sense the heart of the Turkish nation in the patriotic spirit of the place.
Homer immortalized Troia (Troy) in his stories of King Priam, Hector, Paris and the
beautiful Helen. Archaeological excavations have revealed nine separate periods of
settlement including ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theatre.
A symbolic wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary war. The ancient
harbor of Alexandria-Troas was built in the 3rd century BC. St. Paul passed
through twice, and then on his third missionary journey, he continued on to Assos.
As you approach Bozcaada island, the Venetian castle commands your attention.
Then your eyes are drawn to the glistening white houses and the restaurants and
cafes which line the promenade.
Wine seems as plentiful as water on this island; a tour reveals many vineyards and
wine cellars. There are good, sandy beaches at Ayazma, Poyraz and Iğdelik.
The largest of the Turkish islands, Gokçeada is ringed with pristine bays. Its hills,
covered with the greens of pine and olive trees, are dotted with sacred springs and
monasteries. Regularly scheduled ferry boats make the trip from Çanakkale and
Kabatepe. In August, islanders and tourists gather for colorful local fairs.
Bursa
Bursa is a city in the Asian part of Marmara Region, Turkey. Bursa lies in the
northwestern part of Turkey near the Sea of Marmara, about 20 km inland. Bursa
was the first major city the Ottomans, who started as a small emirate in
thecountryside just east of Bursa, had taken control of. As such, it served as the
first capital city of the Ottoman Empire, from 1326, when it was captured from the
Byzantines, to 1365, when the capital was moved to Edirne in European Turkey, as
sultans started to turn their attention to Europe. Most of the historic sights of the
city date back to this early period of the Ottomans.
Today, with a population of more than 2,500,000, Bursa is the fourth largest city in
Turkey after Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. It is famous for its peach, chestnut, and
silk, although lately, heavy industry located in the outskirts of the city has
surpassed these traditional industries. Furthermore, Uludağ—one of the highest
mountains in Turkey—lies very close to Bursa and is the main winter sports center
of Turkey.
Trabzon
Trabzon is a hub of the Eastern Black Sea Region, with a long history, rich culture
and great natural beauty. While Trabzon bears the marks of past civilisations, its
earliest history remains mysterious. Archaeological excavations have revealed
traces of human habitation during the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages.
In light of these finds, we can say that the earliest known settlement was a trading
colony of Miletus that came into existence around 670 BC. The name of the city is
first mentioned as “Trapezus” in the book of Xenophon entitled Anabasis.
An important Silk Road connection between Europe and Asia, Trabzon has hosted
many civilisations throughout its history. The Cimmerians, Medes, Persians and
Macedonians were among the earlier rulers of the port city. After the death of
Macedonian King Alexander the Great, Mithridates I Ctistes, a descendant of the
Persian nobility, founded the Kingdom of Pontus, in 312 BC. The city was part of
the Eastern Empire after the split of Rome, controlled by the Byzantine Empire and
later the Komnenos Dynasty. The Komnenoi began to rule Trabzon at the dawn of
the 13th century, and lasted more than 250 years until 1461, when the Ottoman
Sultan Mehmet II, the Conqueror, conquered the city.
Trabzon has been an inspiration for world-renowned travellers such as Xenophon,
Evliya Çelebi, Fallmerayer and Frunze, who visited the city and immortalized it in
travel books and manuscripts. Today, the city is also an important centre of
commerce and culture, replete with its museums, monasteries, mosques, tombs,
caravanserais, bathhouses, covered bazaar, city walls and magnificent examples of
civic architecture, markets, a fantastic landscape, and mystical nature.
The people of Trabzon preserve the traditional handcrafts, such as stone-carving
and wood-carving, weaving, jewellery making, the art of the coppersmith, knife
making, and quilting. Trabzon’s gold and silver jewellery, its typical horon line
dance and the local musical instrument kemençe (Byzantine Lyra) have found a
worldwide audience.
