TURKEY

Capital:
Ankara

Time:
Local time - GMT + 6 hours

Holidays and Day offs:
January 1 (New Year), April 23 (the Day of Independence and Children), May 1, May 19 (the memorial day of Ataturk), August 30 (the Victory Day), and October 29 (the Day of Republic), days of religious holidays.

National characteristics:
According to Muslims' traditions entering a mosque, a private house, one should take off his/her shoes. Turks are distinguished by honesty, manners, and politeness. One shouldn't start a talk from the main point he should display patience.

Geographic sketch:
The Turkish Republic covers a territory with the total area of 780576 square/kms. It's washed by the Black Sea in the North, the Mediterranean in the South, the Aeagan Sea and the Sea of Marmara in the West. In Europe it has borders with Bulgaria in the North, Greece and the West, Georgia and Armenia Caucauses, Iran and Iraq in the East and Syria between the rivers Tigris and Efrate. Geographically the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean Sea is clearly divided into two large regions: The West coast to Marmora with a great member of bays and peninsulas belong to the Aegean Sea. The South Coast starts from Antalia. This territory is called Turkish Rivera for its stretching sandy beaches. The Fertile plain "Pamphila" stretches beyond the beaches. It borders ancient Kilikia in the East, lying between the mountainous landscape of Alana and Anamur, where the mountains of Tabs rise straightly from the sea. One can see all types of beaches on the Turkish coast from vast sandy ones to small stony bays.

Climate:
Subtropical Mediterranean - hot summer (the air temperature is from +23C to +33C) and warm winter (from +13C to +15C). The best season to visit Turkey is in spring or in autumn - from April to June or from September to October.

Population:
The total member of population is about 63 ml people. The overwhelming majority is Turks; about 10 millions are Kurds, Arabs, several thousands of Greeks, Armenians and Spanish Jews.

Language:
Turkish language: In cities and tourist centers English, German and French are used as well.

Religion:
The majority of population is Muslims - Sunits. The majority of Turks are religions; and Islam penetrates into many aspects of social life.

Currency:
Turkish lire

Currency Exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at currency Exchange points and Banks. Banks' departments are open on week-days from 8.30 a.m. to 17.00 p.m. Lunch Time - from 12.00 a.m. to 13.30 p.m.

Transport:
Bus service is the most popular means of transport within Turkey. The Average fee in the city is 200 thousand Turkish lire which equals 0.5 USD. Taxi - the average fee for each km is 1.5 USD (it's charged according to taximeter).

Communication:
All types of telephone connections are chargeable. A call from a hotel is more expensive as compared with pay-phones.

Shops:
Cheap leather, goods made of cotton, jewelry, items made of onyx and copper make Turkey one of the most fascinating countries among shop mongers. Moreover, flexible prices for goods allow tourists to bargain with sellers. Shops, as a rule, are open from 9.30 a.m. to 19.00 p.m. Lunch Time - from 13.00 p.m. to 14.00 p.m. Day off - Sunday. The indoors fair in Istanbul is open on weekdays from 8.00 a.m. to 19.00 p.m. except for Sundays.

Tips:
Tips are given to porters (about $1) waiters (10% from dinner's cost). Giving tips to taxi drivers is not acceptable.

Urgent numbers:
Police - 155, ambulance - 112, fire service-110, inquiry office - 118, post office information - 161