TURKEY

Turkey (Türkiye), known officially as the Republic of Turkey, is a Eurasian country that
stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia and Thrace (Rumelia) in the
Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to
the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the
exclave of Nakhchivan) and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. The
Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus are to the south; the Aegean Sea to the west; and the
Black Sea is to the north.

Separating Anatolia and Thrace are the Sea of Marmara and the Turkish Straits (the
Bosphorus and the Dardanelles), which are commonly reckoned to delineate the
boundary between Europe and Asia thereby making Turkey a country of significant
geostrategic importance.

Ethnic Turks form the majority of the population, followed by the Kurds. The predominant
religion in Turkey is Islam. The official language is Turkish.

Turkey is the successor state to the Ottoman Empire. It is a democratic, secular, unitary,
constitutional republic, whose political system was established in 1923 under the
leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the
aftermath of World War I. Since then, Turkey has become increasingly integrated with
the West through membership in organizations such as the Council of Europe, NATO,
OECD, WEOG, OSCE and the G-20 major economies.

Turkey began full membership negotiations with the European Union in 2005, having
been an associate member of the EEC since 1963, and having reached a customs union
agreement in 1995. Turkey has also fostered close cultural, political, economic and
industrial relations with the Eastern world, particularly with the rest of the Middle East
and states of Central Asia, through membership in organizations such as the OIC and
ECO. Turkey is classified as a developed country by the CIA and as a regional power by
political scientists and economists worldwide.

Turkey has the world's 15th largest GDP-PPP and 17th largest Nominal GDP.

Administrative Divisions and Population

The capital city of Turkey is Ankara. The territory of Turkey is subdivided into 81
provinces for administrative purposes. The provinces are organized into 7 regions for
census purposes; however, they do not represent an administrative structure. Each
province is divided into districts, for a total of 923 districts.

Provinces usually bear the same name as their provincial capitals, also called the central
district; exceptions to this custom are the provinces of Hatay (capital: Antakya), Kocaeli
(capital: İzmit) and Sakarya (capital: Adapazarı).

Provinces with the largest populations are İstanbul (+12 million---but I think more than
15 million), Ankara (+4.4 million), İzmir (+3.7 million), Bursa (+2.4 million), Adana
(+2.0 million) and Konya (+1.9 million).

The biggest city and the pre-Republican capital İstanbul is the financial, economic and
cultural heart of the country. An estimated 70.5% of Turkey's population live in urban
centers. In all, 18 provinces have populations that exceed 1 million inhabitants, and 21
provinces have populations between 1 million and 500,000 inhabitants. Only two
provinces have populations less than 100,000.
The population of Turkey stood at 71.5 million with a growth rate of 1.31% per annum,
based on the 2008 Census. Life expectancy stands at 70.67 years for men and 75.73
years for women, with an overall average of 73.14 years for the populace as a whole.

Education is compulsory and free from ages 6 to 15. The literacy rate is 95.3% for men
and 79.6% for women, with an overall average of 87.4%. The low figures for women are
mainly due to the traditional customs of the Arabs and Kurds who live in the
southeastern provinces of the country.

Turkey is a secular state with no official state religion; the Turkish Constitution provides
for freedom of religion and conscience. According to 2009 data on the world's Muslim
populations, 73.6 million people in Turkey are Muslims or 98% of the total population.

PS: this part is mainly taken from wikipedia))

Celebrations

There are a lot of different types of celebrations in Turkey. Some of them are from our
religion and some of them are from independence day, children day, republician day,
youth day and so on…

The two most important Islamic holidays are Kurban Bayramı(festival) and Ramazan
Bayramı, which also contain national public holidays. They may affect your travel plans,
so you should know when they occur and how they affect travel. They are organized by
the Islamic calendar. According the the Christian era (A.D.), both of them are celebrated
11 days earlier than the previous year's annual religious festival.The first one is Ramadan
Festival.And Kurban Festival follows it after 70 days.

As for Ramadan Festival which is celebrated after 30 days of fasting. Ramadan means to
share emotions that the poor people feel and experience because they can't earn enough
money to buy food and to spend easily.

At the same time, Ramadan means to support poor people with money because the
religion of Islam orders us to give to poor people some money or gifts that are 1/40 of
our wealth, like a tax. The money and /or gifts are given to poor people politely when
they are visited by their relatives and other rich people.

Ramadan lasts for three days. Elderly sick people are visited by their young relatives. All
people prepare for the festival. They make a big cleansing in their homes and yards
before the festival date, and they wear the cleanest or the newest clothes. All of the
children are given some gifts by parents and relatives.

Kurban Festival is the most important Islamic religious festival of the year, and a 4 or 5-
day public holiday in Turkey

The festival celebrates the Biblical and Kur'anic account of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his
son on Mount Moriah, proving Abraham's complete obedience to God. In the story, God
stays Abraham's hand at the last moment and provides a ram for sacrifice instead,
praising Abraham for his faithfulness.

Following this tradition, the head of each Turkish household hopes to sacrifice a sheep on
the morning of the first day of the holiday period. A lavish meal is made from the meat,
friends and family are invited to feast, and the excess meat and the hide are donated to
charity.

If you are anywhere around one of these family feasts, you may be invited to share in
the bount)) And I advice you not to miss the chance if you get it.

Islamic holidays begin at sundown, last until sundown on the following calendar day, and
the important public holidays are usually preceded by a half-day vacation called arife
("preparation"). Offices, banks and businesses may close at noon on the day of arife,
with the festivities beginning at sunset

There are some minor islamic festivals, too. Festivals such as Asure Günü, Mevlid-i Nebi,
and the kandils are not public holidays, but mosques are illuminated, special foods and
treats are prepared, and you can participate, actively or passively, in the celebrations.
You should at least know the dates so you understand what's going on.

And as for other holidays, I wanna give you a short list of turkish national public
holidays.

In these holidays banks, offices and businesses are closed and traffic intensifies.

List

January 1: New Year's Day

April 23: National Independence & Children's Day

May 19: Atatürk Commemoration & Youth Day

August 30: Victory Day

October 28-29: Republic Day

September 20(2009): Ramazan/Seker Bayrami (moveable dates)

November26(2009):: Kurban Bayrami (moveable dates)

Some rules of etiquette in turkey

I think because of its geographic location – on the border between Europe and the Middle
East and Asia - has had some influence on its culture The fusion of east meets west is
most apparent in Turkey’s cities with the rural communities retaining many more of the
old customs and traditions.

1. Religion is very important

Turkey is a Muslim country, and many Islamic customs are integrated into society and
the etiquette practised on a day-to-day basis. First and foremost, dressing and behaving
modesty is a sign of respect in modern Turkey. If visiting a mosque, the dress code
demands that women should cover their head, shoulders, arms and legs, taking care not
to show ankles or feet. In both cases, shorts are not considered appropriate attire for
men or women. Also you should be aware that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims
fast from dawn until dusk. Some Muslims may drink alcohol, but devout Muslims do not.
You should avoid excessive drinking and associated loutish or overzealous behaviour, as
it will be seen as disrespectful.

2. Dining Etiquette

If you are invited into a Turkish person’s home, the proper etiquette is to bring a gift with
you to show your humbleness and gratitude. Small decorative pieces, sweets and
pastries are the most common gifts, and you should remember to include children when
offering gifts. Families are integral to Turkish society, so including the children will be
seen as a very thoughtful and kind gesture as in your culture)). Alcohol may be given as
a gift, but not to all Turkish people.

3. And in here also such rules are same as in ukraine.

Generally you should be prepared to remove your shoes upon entering a home.

On public transportation, you should give up your seat to mothers with children, the
elderly, or the infirm.

Putting your thumb between your first two fingers is a very rude gesture in here, too.

Pointing at someone with your finger is not a safe and kind behaviour))

Offering to share your snacks and cigarettes with those around you is also very common.

You pay for the meal if you initiated the invitation. Splitting the bill is not traditionally
done in here.

In greetings, shake hands upon meeting someone. Shake hands with everyone present,
including the children, and shake hands with the elders first. And exchange two kisses on
the cheek with friends and relatives.

You should maintain eye contact during meetings because we take eye contact while
speaking as a sign of honesty.

Traditions

Popular Customs

Hospitality is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish way of life. Following Koranic tenets
and his naturally friendly instincts, the Turk is a most gracious and generous host. Even
the poorest peasant feels bound to honour his guest ("misafir") in the best possible
manner. Hospitality is taken to such lengths that a foreigner often feels he is suffering
from an overdose of it after being plied with food and drinks for hours and being unable
to refuse anything lest he hurt his host's feelings.

Turkish coffee houses Even the smallest Turkish village has its coffee house or
"kahvehane" where men can talk, sip coffee, and play the national game of backgammon
("tavla"). Especially in west, In istanbul especially, men and women can be seen smoking
their hubble bubble pipes ("nargile") in these coffee houses.

Turkish baths Owing to the emphasis placed on cleanliness in Turkish society, there have
been public bath houses ("hamam") in Turkey since medieval times. There are separate
baths for men and women, or, when there is only one bath house in the town, different
days or times of day are allocated to men and women. After entering the "hamam" and
leaving one's clothes in a cubicle, one proceeds, wrapped in a towel ("pestemal") to the
"gobektasi", a large heated stone where one perspires and is rubbed down by a bath
attendant. If the heat proves too much, one can retire to a cooler room for a while. This
method of bathing is most refreshing and many of the old marble baths are very
interesting, architecturally.

Turkish Cuisine

If you ask me “Would someone come to Turkey just to eat out?” Ofcourse “Yes, he
would”. Turkish food is famous throughout the world. The painstaking preparation of the
simple, but fresh ingredients brings out the richness of cuisines flavours in a way that
never fails to delight. The range is really enormous, from a number of soups to an
astonishing variety of meze (hors d'oeuvre), followed by meat and fish dishes. Then
pause awhile to contemplate the famous Turkish sweets and pastries before finishing
with a Turkish coffee. All Turkish food is prepared from fresh ingredients. We produces a
wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and being surrounded on three sides by sea, the
range of fish to be found is also very considerable.

Among alcoholic drinks are the light Turkish beer, excellent wines, and the national drink,
'raki' (an anisette), which clouds when water is added giving it the popular name of
"lion's milk." The drinking of raki is a rite in itself, and it is traditionally accompanied by a
variety of 'meze' (hors d'oeuvre).

Along with the world famous Turkish coffee. Wherever you go, coffee or tea will be
offered to you. And generally when you meet one of your friends, you will meet at a caffe
and you will drink coffe or çay(tea). Bottled drinking water and mineral water are easily
found everywhere. Tap water is drinkable but the taste is not good because it is
chlorinated.

Especially in the big cities like istanbul, Ankara and izmir, you can also find restaurants
which feature Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, French, Swiss, German and Italian
cuisines.

Must See Places

First of all, I advice you to visit Istanbul because it is really a different city. In my
opinion, you can see one of the top 3 multicultural cities if you visit İstanbul. And I
promise you that I will be your Istanbul guide:)) But now, I will give you top ten places
to visit list:
10. Nemrut Dagi
Located in eastern Turkey, Nemrut Dagi is one of the most stunning historical
monuments in Turkey. Dating from the 1st century BC, Nemrut Dagi is a burial place
known best for the huge statues that surround it.

9. Pamukkale
Located in the Denizli Province, Pamukkale is famous for its hot springs, which feature
limestone and calcium. Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well worth a
visit.

8. Bodrum
Bodrum is a scenic town whose center is the famed Castle of Saint Peter (built by the
Knights of Saint John). Bodrum has much to offer and should be considered as a base to
explore the surrounding countryside. In the past, Bodrum was known as Halicarnassus
and the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at
Halicarnassus. It is home to the famous Castle of Saint Peter and located in beautiful
surrounding countryside, Bodrum is not to be missed))

7. Kusadasi
A port town on the coast of Turkey, Kusadasi is best known for being close to the ruins of
Ephesus and the place where cruise ships dock. But look further and you'll discover that
Kusadasi has an allure of its own, particularly with its great nightlife and pleasant
beaches. It is a nice resort town with great restaurants, good hotels and pleasant hosts.

6. Ankara
The capital of Turkey, Ankara is full of museums and other cultural attractions. Culture
vultures and history buffs alike will find a lot to fill their days when visiting Ankara.

5. Lycian Coast
Located in southwest Turkey at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas,
the Lycian Coast is known for its gorgeous beaches, beautiful countryside, and perfect
weather.
4. Cappadocia
Another of Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage sites, Cappadocia is famous for its amazing
geological formations, the "fairy chimneys". Most travelers have seen pictures of the
mystical, rock chimney dwellings and man-made cave homes in here.

3. Ephesus
Ephesus is an ancient city in the process of being restored, is a must see place in Turkey.
Dating from the seventh century BC (and possibly earlier) Ephesus provides an
interesting view of ancient life: the city's ruins illustrate how ancient cities worked and
how the people played. Ephesus is a site that should interest anyone but it holds special
reverence for Christians who believe that the Virgin Mary lived in the area at the end of
her life. Ephesus is also known as the location of the Temple of Artemis (also called the
Temple of Diana), which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Like all of
the Wonders, except the Pyramids at Giza, there remains no trace of the temple
dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess. It is believed that the building was partially
destroyed by fire and later by an earthquake.

2. Antalya
Featuring heavenly beaches with turquoise waters, Antalya has good reason for claiming
to have the best beaches on the Mediterranean. Add to that the many archaeological
treasures in Antalya and you've got yourself a great holiday destination.

1. Istanbul
One of the most well loved European cities and boasting of some of the best nightlife in
Europe, Istanbul is the number one place to visit in Turkey. With cultural treasures in
spades and the beautiful Bosphorus around it, Istanbul is worth a special visit to Turkey
in its own right. Because of its unique history, and because I live in here)) I wish this city
will be the first place that you visit in Turkey. From its famous mosques and churches
(the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Cami, and Hagia Sophia), through palaces (The Topkapi
and Dolmabahce), and on to the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul is one memorable excursion
after another.

When you come here, you will see how it is an interesting city:)