Passport and Visa
A passport with at least 3 months validity left on it is
required for entrance into Turkey. Be sure that the name on your passport
and your airline tickets are identical. A visa is also required for U.S.
citizens and can be obtained from a Turkish consulate prior to departure or upon
arrival in Turkey.
Vaccinations
No immunization shots are required for travel within
Turkey.
Time Difference
Turkey is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and
two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
Money/Banks
The monetary unit in Turkey is the lira. Although all
credit cards are accepted throughout Turkey, Visa and Master Card are most
commonly used. Automated teller machines are typically available in larger
cities. However, it is important to know that your PIN number must be all
numerals, (no letters), and that the money dispensed will be in Turkish Lira.
Banking hours are 8:30AM to 12:00PM, and 1:00PM to 5:00PM Monday through Friday,
throughout Turkey. Although commission rates and exchange rates vary from
bank-to-bank, commission rates typically remain within 1% to 3%. Money exchange
bureaus usually offer a decent rate for cash, while hotels are as good a place
as any to cash travelers checks. Please note that a passport is required when
exchanging travelers checks for large amounts of cash.
Post Offices
Post Offices are easily identified by their bright yellow
facades and PTT (Postal, Telegraph, and Telephone) signs. The main post offices
in the large cities are open Monday-Saturday 8:00AM to 9:00PM, and 9:00AM to
7:00PM on Sunday. Smaller post offices are open Monday-Saturday from 8:30AM to
5:00PM. Postal fees fluctuate according to inflation rates, though the cost of
mailing postcards and letters is minimal.
Calling the US from Turkey
As throughout the world, hotels in Turkey apply heavy service fees to
international phone calls. Therefore, we recommend using a long distance calling
card. Although your calling card will be billed for the call, the hotel will
assess a nominal fee for connecting you with the international operator. You may
access AT&T at 00-800-12277, Sprint at 00-800-14477, and MCI at 00-800-11177.
Religious Services
Please check with your tour guide for details regarding time and location of
religious services in particular cities.
Clothing
Since Turkey is an informal country, comfortable, casual clothing is appropriate
to wear throughout. Layered comfortable clothes and sensible walking shoes are
advisable to wear during sightseeing. You will be required to remove your shoes
upon entering a mosque; therefore, we recommend wearing heavy socks. Be mindful
that neither shorts nor bare shoulders are allowed in the mosques, and that a
head covering for women, although not required, is greatly appreciated.
Laundry Facilities
Most hotels have dry cleaning/laundry services, however you will need a minimum
of 2 nights stay in order to get your laundry done.
Electricity
In Turkey, electrical appliances manufactured in the U.S. require the use of a
standard two-prong adapter. A converter is also needed if the appliance doesn't
have dual voltage as the voltage varies between 110 and 220 of the 50 cycle.
However, many hotels are equipped with 110-volt outlets for such items as
shavers, and are clearly marked "For Shavers Only." As the voltage in the
U.S. is considerably higher, (240v), the use of high wattage appliances such as
blow dryers should not be attempted.
FLAG :
Official Name : The
Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti)
Founder : Mustafa Kemal
ATATÜRK ( 1881-1938 )
Population : 70 million (as
of 2003)
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
)
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 ” , Lyrics by : Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Adopted as Turkey’s National
Anthem on March 12,1921
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, Executive
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, Dolmabahçe Palace, ancient City of Troy,
Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Göreme- Cappadocia, Mt.Nemrut,
Safranbolu.
Some important products :
As of 1998, Turkey is the world's largest producer of hard-shell nuts, fig and
apricot, the fourth STET in fresh vegetables, grape and tobacco production and
seventh in wheat and cotton production. Turkish delight and helva are famous
throughout the world.
Turkey is among the leading countries worldwide in textiles and
ready-to-wear clothing production. The exports of this sector constitutes 36
percent of total industrial exports. The leather processing industry is also
very developed in Turkey, both in terms of technological level and high
production capacity. It places second to textiles in terms of export figures.