GENERAL INFORMATION
Official Name: The Republic of Turkey
Founder: Mustafa Kemal ATATURK (1881-1938)
Capital: Ankara
Population: 67.8 million (as of 2000)
Language: Turkish (uses Latin Alphabet)
Currency: New Turkish Lira (YTL)
Location: Eastern Mediterranean. Located on two contitents Europe and Asia. The European part of Turkey is called Thrace, while 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 |
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10.0 million |
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Ankara |
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4.0 million |
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Izmir |
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3.3 million |
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Konya |
|
2.2 million |
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Bursa |
|
2.1 million |
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Adana |
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1.8 million |
| Visa Formalities:
USA Citizens Only
A visa is required for all U.S. citizens entering Turkey. U.S. citizens may obtain their visas upon entry point in Turkey or in advance from one of the Turkish Consulates around the U.S. Please see the Jurisdiction list of the Turkish Consulates for your state. Application for a business visa must be done ahead of time, before entering Turkey. The tourist visa is valid for a year starting from the issue date. There are two different visa types. With a single entry visa, you can enter Turkey only once and stay up to three months. Multiple entry visa, on the other hand allows you to enter and exit the country more than once within one year period specified on your passport and you can stay in Turkey for three months each time. Visas given at entry points are valid only for three months. Therefore, visas must be obtained in advance for visits lasting longer stays and for study, research or employment purposes. The passengers who do not leave the international airports do not need any visas. Please click here for detailed information
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Canadian Citizens
Canadian Citizens can obtain a multiple-entry sticker visa at the Turkish International Border Gates to stay in Turkey for a maximum period of three months. If the planned stay exceeds three months or the individual intends to study, work or be engaged in any kind of gainful employment in Turkey, visa must be obtained in advance by applying personally to Turkish Embassy in Ottawa. Please click here for detailed information |
Non U.S.A Citizens
Non-U.S Citizens need to have to apply for their tourist or business visas in advance BEFORE going to Turkey. Applicants should directly contact a Turkish Consulate in person, by mail or by a courier service. Please see the Jurisdiction list of the Turkish Consulates for your state.
Turkish Consulates and Embassies Abroad
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Religion: 99 percent of the population is Muslim. Turkey is a secular state that assures complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims.
National Anthem: Istiklal Marsi
Government: Turkey is democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law; committed to the nationalism of Atatürk and based on the principle of the separation of powers;Legislative Power: The Turkish Grand National Assembly xecutive 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 on three sides, by the Black Sea in the north, the Mediterranean in the south and the Aegean Sea in the west. In the northwest there is also an important internal sea, the Sea of Marmara, between the straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus.
Geographical Regions: Turkey has 80 administrative provinces and seven geographical regions. The first four of the seven regions are given the names of the seas which are adjacent 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
* Southeastern Anatolia Region
Famous Landmarks: Ayasofya Museum, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace, ancient City of Troy, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Goreme-Cappadocia, Mt.Nemrut, Safranbolu.
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 |
When to visit:
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. |
What to wear:
Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts: Light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for evening.
Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolia: Summer wear, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes.
Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archeological and historical sites. Sun hats and sunglasses are advisable in the summer. Headscarves should be brought by women for visiting mosques. |
