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GENERAL INFORMATION
A uniquely varied and beautiful country, Turkey spans the continents of Europe
and Asia. For thousands of years, Anatolia, the crossroad of history, the link
between East and West has witnessed the mass migrations of diverse peoples,
shaping the course of history. The home to countless civilizations, Anatolia has
developed a unique synthesis of cultures, each with its own distinct identity
yet each linked to its predecessors through insoluble threads.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Turkish people came together to build
a new Turkey. Atatürk, leader of the War of Independence and founder of the
Turkish Republic, embarked on a quest to catch up with the most advanced
countries in the world. In one generation, Turkey completed westernization of
its institutions, achieved economic independence and established a secular
democracy that gave the vote to women as early as 1932.
Today Turks determine their future through a pluralistic democratic system based
on free elections, more or less continuously for half a century. The country has
a legal system compatible with those of Europe. Turkey began to make use of its
extensive potential and increasingly integrated into international trade. Turkey
has a huge potential and offers many business opportunities.
The slogan ‘’Peace at home, peace abroad’’ signifies the role Turkey plays in
world politics. Turkey takes its role as a link between east and west seriously
and in its cultural conservation of the remains of past civilizations
demonstrates its commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of
Anatolia.
Today Turkey is a great destination with its diversity, originality and vigour
of the landscape, fascinating history, the warmth and pride of its people, the
allure of its heritage and the absolute beauty of the land.
LANGUAGE Turkish is a
Ural-Altaic language related to the Finno-Ugric. Turkish is written in a Latin
alphabet and spoken by some 150-200 million people around the world. English,
German and French are widely spoken in cities and resorts.
CLIMATE Due to the variety of
its physical features, Turkey possesses a mixed range of different climate
types. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have mild winters and hot summers
whereas the Black Sea coats have a wetter climate with rain all year round. The
region of Marmara where Istanbul is located, climate is a combination of both
with pleasantly warm spring and fall, with hot dry summer and relatively cold
winter.
CURRENCY Currency is Turkish
Lira. The exchanges rate is set on a daily basis. There are many banks and
exchange bureaus. Traveller’s checks can be cashed in banks and hotels. The
credit cards are generally accepted by most of the hotels, restaurants and
shops.
OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES Banks
are open weekdays; 08.30 am - noon and 1.30 pm - 5.00 pm. Mosques are usually
open to the public except prayer hours. Museums are generally open
Tuesday-Sunday 9.30 am - 4.30 pm and closed Monday Shops are closed all day
Sunday except for large malls.
OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS January 1st-
New Year’s Day April 23- National
Independence and Children’s Day May 19
- Atatürk Commemoration and Youth and Sports Day
August 30 - Victory Day (final rout of invading forces in 1922)
October 29 – Republic Day (anniversary of the declaration of Turkish Republic)
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Şeker Bayram
(sugar feast), three day feast marking the end of Ramadan, and is based on the
lunar Calendar, varying yearly. Kurban Bayram (sacrificial feast), varying
yearly according to the lunar calendar. (Every year move approximately 11 days
backwards)
CUISINE The Turkish Cuisine has
the extra privilege of being at the crossroads of the Far East and the
Mediterranean, which mirrors a long and complex history of Turkish migration
from the steppes of Central Asia, where they mingled with the Chinese, to Europe
where they exerted influence all the way to Vienna. All these unique
characteristics and history have bestowed upon the Turkish Cuisine a rich and
varied number of dishes, which can be prepared and combined with other dishes in
meals of almost indefinite variety. Whether at home or at a famous restaurant or
at a dinner in a mansion, familiar patterns of this rich and diverse cuisine are
always present.
SHOPPING Shopping is one of the
great pleasures of a trip to Turkey. Alongside the most modern objects,
traditional handicrafts from villages and provinces can be found. The most
popular objects are carpets, leather and suede goods, and copper and bronze
wares, silver, ceramics, handicrafts, embroidery, and the famous Turkish
meerschaum and onyx. For something a little more unusual, there is Hubble-bubble
pipe (nargile) or backgammon set.
ELECTRICITY Voltage in use is
220 V.
WEIGHT AND MEASURES Turkey uses
the metric system for weight and measures. |
