Turkey In Brief
LOCATION

Turkey straddles both Europe and Asia with the greatest proportion of its territory in Southwest Asia. It has a total area of 780,580 square kilometres. The country is bounded to the east by Georgia, Armenia and Iran, and to the south by Iraq, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea, to the west by Greece, Bulgaria and the Aegean Sea, and to the north by the Black Sea. Turkey’s geographical coordinates are 36 degrees N north latitude and 26-45 degrees E longitude.

POPULATION

According to the results of the General Population Determination executed in November 1997, the population of Turkey is 70 millions. There is a tendency for decreasing in the population growth rate in recent years. The most important characteristic of the population in Turkey is the amount of young population. Turkey is among the fastest urbanizing countries of the world.

LANGUAGE

Turkish is an Ural-Altaic language related to the Finno- Ugric. Turkish is written in a Latin alphabet and is spoken by some 150-200 million people around the world. English and German and French are widely spoken in cities and resorts.

VISA INFORMATION

Visa Information For Foreigners

Visa Form

Visa Fees at Border Gates for 2009

Source Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

CUSTOMS

Duty-free allowance: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 g tobacco; up to 7 70 cc bottles of spirit, of which not more than 3 bottles may be of the same type. Antiques and electronic equipment must be registered in the owner’s passport upon arrival and checked upon departure from the country. It is strictly forbidden to take antiques out of the country, and for this reason it is necessary to obtain a certificate for carpets and other valuables purchased in the country as proof that they are not antique.

CLIMATE

From the strictly geographical point of view, Turkey lies to the south of the temperate climate zone and within the sub-tropical Mediterranean climatic area. Due to the variety of its physical features, however, it actually possesses a mixed range of different climate types. While the Mediterranean coastal region has hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, the Black Sea coast has a wetter climate with rain all year round. The region around the Marmara Sea, where İstanbul is located, is relatively colder and more likely to experience snow. The mountainous Eastern Anatolian region predominantly features a harsh continental climate. During the long winters there is frequently heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, and the summers are relatively short. In the Central Anatolian region of plateaus surrounded by mountain ranges, winters are cold and summers dry. Here most rain falls in spring and autumn. The Southeast Anatolian region, on the other hand, has a steppe climate, with particularly hot summers. Droughts can be severe, with evaporation levels as high as 1,000-2,000 mm a year. İstanbul has a climate combining those of the Mediterranean and Black Sea types, with a hot dry summer and pleasantly warm spring and fall. Winters are cold but snow is rare. The vegetation is predominantly of the Mediterranean type. Min/Max temperatures: January and February 5-9°C, March and April 9-18°C, May 14-24°C, June 18-27°C, July and August 20-33°C, October 16-23°C, November and December 6-13°C.

CURRENCY

The New Turkish Lira is available in notes and coins. The exchange rate is set on a daily basis. There are many banks and exchange bureaus. Traveler’s checks can be cashed at most banks. Hotels and many shops and restaurants accept foreign currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency in cash that travelers can bring into the country. Hotels and most restaurants and shops accept all major credit cards (American Express, VISA, Master Card/Euro Card, and Diner’s Club).

WEIGHT AND MEASURES

Turkey uses the metric system for weight and measures.

ELECTRICITY

220 volt, 50 cycle. Most hotels have a receptable with 110 volts. Socket type is standard European two-pin.

BUSINESS AND BANKING HOURS

Offices and banks are generally open 09.00 to 18.00 Mondays to Fridays, and close for lunch 12.30 to 13.30.

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS

April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day,

May 19th Youth and Sports Day,

August 30th Victory Day,

October 29th Republic Day.

Apart from these there are religious holidays whose dates vary every year according to the lunar calendar.

MAIL SERVICE

There are fixed postage rates for letters and postcards. Post offices (PTT) are open 09.00-12.00 and 13.30- 17.00. Hotel concierges also take mail.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public telephones operate with tokens or cards which are sold at post offices and some street booths, with credit cards also. Some public phones have access to AT&T and some other telecommunication networks - please check with your operator for the latest information. Fax messages can be sent from major post offices and hotels. Cellular telephones can be hired.