OFFICIAL NAME: Turkey
NAME IN LOCAL LANGUAGE: Turkiye
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Turkish
OTHER LANGUAGES: Kurdish, Arabic, Zazaki
ALPHABET: Latin
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Democracy, Constitutional republic
MEMBERSHIP: NATO
POPULATION: 85, 279,553
ETNICITY: Turkish
RELIGION: Muslim, Sunni, Alevi
CAPITAL: Ankara
OTHER MAJOR CITIES: Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya
CURRENCY: Turkish lira
VISA: Required upon arrival with passport
ETIAS: Not Applicable
INTERNET CODE: .tr
COUNTRY CODE (phone): 90
PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES: Textiles, clothing, ceramics, agricultural products, motor vehicles,
PRINCIPAL EXPORTS: Automotive, transportation equipment, consuler electronics, construction materials, home appliances
PRINCIPAL IMPORTS: fossil fuels, chemicals, manufactured goods, oil (from Russia),
Major Attractions: Selimye Mosque, Blue Mosque, Ortokoy Mosque, Temple of Zeus, Aizonoi in Phrygia, Sphinx Gate of Hattusa, Hittites
MUST SEE: Istanbul Gramd Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Cevaher Mall (largest mall in Europe), Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Topaki Palace
THINGS TO BUY: Textiles, rugs, ceramics, spices

Turkey-Country Profile
Facts about Turkey and Turkish People

Climate:

In general Turkey has a Mediterranean climate where summers are hot and dry and winters mild and rainy. The best months to visit İstanbul are April, May, June, September, October and November when the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. July and August are the hottest months, however higher mountainous places are cooler in these months.

The coastal regions of the Aegean and Mediterranean have a mild climate with high humidity. Summers are long and hot, with temperatures often reaching over 30 °C. Turkey’s central regions such as Cappadocia have a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures can reach 40 °C in the summer months and drop below freezing in the winter. The region also experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. For the South coast of Turkey November is a pretty good month for a visit. However you would not want to be in Antalya in July and August when it can reach up to 40 °C and you need an air conditioned place to survive.

The Black Sea region on the northern coast of the country has a temperate climate with high rainfall throughout the year. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are mild but rainy, and snow may fall at higher elevations.

The eastern mountainous regions of the Taurus and Zagros Mountains have a harsher climate with long, cold and snowy winters and only fairly short summers.

Make sure you take your sunglasses, hat and have your sun blocker during summers. Take water with you when visiting open air archeological sites under the sun.

Turkish People

Turkish people are ready to help and hospitality is a genuine Turkish trait. They are easy to communicate with and usually very accommodating. Additionally if you learn a few Turkish words you will encounter more smiles and will be welcomed more. The service industry is highly developed where they will try to help you with whatever you ask.

The traffic can be overwhelming especially in crowded cities such as İstanbul,İzmir and Antalya. If there is no control there are no rules. So everything is flexible which has good and bad sides. The traffic and the crowded streets can feel chaotic with everyone coming from everywhere and going everywhere. If there is no car coming, do not be surprised to see everyone crossing at a red light.

It is not polite to clear one’s nose with sound. Do not take pictures of the police or any people without taking permission.

Transportation and Getting Around

From the airport there are buses serving the cities however usually the easiest option is to use a taxi. In İstanbul’s historical peninsula the tram is usually the best option to go around. However during rush hours i.e 8-10 in the morning or between 16:00-19:00 in the evening they might be crowded. Please ask the suggestion of your guide who will advise you on the best options for transportation. If you have a health condition or prefer to have more comfort, private transportation might be the best option.

Turkish Airlines allows 20 kg for luggage and 8 kg for inside the plane. They offer delicious meals and they are famous for it! To navigate inside the country domestic flights of Turkish Airlines or Pegasus Airlines are the best options.
Taxis

You can take a taxi by hailing in the street or asking your hotel reception for one. Taxis in İstanbul might be a problem as they can refuse to take you to short distances. Their number is not enough so in rush hours or on rainy days you might have trouble finding one. Be sure that the taximeter is open when you get on a taxi. Minority of them accept credit cards but the usual way is to pay in cash.

Smoking

Smoking in public buildings and closed spaces is prohibited, however in open air it is allowed.

Dressing

You can dress according to the weather but if you visit a mosque make sure your knees and shoulders are covered and additionally for ladies it is required to have shawls covering the head in order to enter the mosques. You have to take your shoes off when entering the mosques without stepping on the carpeted areas. Be sure to bring comfortable and easy to wear shoes as usually there will be street walking involved and visiting religious sites.

When entering the homes of people it is customary to take your shoes off.

Eating & Food

Turkish cuisine is an Eastern Mediterranean one with lots of options including not just kebabs but also a variety of olive oil vegetarian dishes, yogurt, fish, dried fruits, nuts and sweet desserts such as baklava. Do not be surprised at breakfast where you will encounter a lot of options. At least white cheese, olives, tomatoes , cucumber and Turkish tea is a must for a Turkish breakfast. However you will see that the options are much more than that. Turkish tea and coffee are served everywhere and are the treats of Turkish hospitality. Turks drink at least 5 teas a day in the morning during the day and after each meal. It is black tea made and served the Turkish style with a tulip shaped transparent glass and the color should be ruby or “rabbit blood” as they say it. Turks drink at least one cup of coffee everyday. It is served with something sweet such as Turkish Delight or chocolate and a glass of water. The best coffee is served close to the Spice Bazaar where the coffee grinding houses are situated.

You can find all kinds of restaurants including Micheline recommended ones which are the safest options to have the best meals. Be sure to ask if they serve only lunch only or lunch and dinner.
Tap water is not drinkable in Turkey in general.

Money

The official currency is Turkish Lira (TRY) and you can exchange Euros or US Dollars everywhere in the Exchange Offices. Other currencies can have lower rates. It is good to have Turkish Liras cash with you to use for food, drinks and taxis. Credit cards are accepted in most of the shops and restaurants. You can withdraw cash from any ATM machine. The VAT Tax is variable, changing between 10% to 18 % depending on the product or service. Usually they will offer you a better price if you pay in cash.

Apple Pay does not work in Turkey so be sure to remember your credit card PIN and make sure your card is open to international transactions before you come. To transfer money to someone you can use wire transfers or Western Union.

Visit to Mosques

All mosques are open to visitors freely however popular spots such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye might close during prayer times.

Men and women have separate places for prayer and ladies need to cover their head with scarfs when entering the mosques. Your dress should cover your knees and shoulders. Also you need to take off your shoes and put them in the cupboards when entering the mosques and watch out to not step on the carpets with your shoes.

Religion

“Islam” is an Arabic word meaning “to surrender” to submit to God’s will. The word “Muslim” refers to a person who surrenders to God in all things.
Over 98 percent of Turks identify themselves as Muslims, mostly of the Sunni sect. But the decision to practice Islam, and to what degree, is an individual choice, a freedom protected by the secular state.

Turkey is one of the most secular Muslim states in the World. 30 % of the population is conservative and the rest secular. Islam, with many different sects, is practiced in diverse ways among Turkish people. Turks, who have a tradition of tolerance, accept the various sects, as long as none tries to impose its individual interpretation on others.

The Prophet Muhammad (AD 570-632) was born in Mecca (in today’s Saudi Arabia), in a community he believed was in the throes of moral decadence. Most of the Arab people at the time worshiped idols.

Muhammad sought a new way. He retired to a cave for a whole month every year to meditate and seek truth. When Muhammad was 40 years old, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him in the cave and said that God had chosen Muhammad to be God’s prophet.
The first revelation Muhammad received was “Read in the name of Allah who created you.” (Allah is Arabic for “God.”) Revelations kept coming over the next 21 years. Muhammad’s followers memorized and wrote down the revelations, and compiled them in a book called the Quran, which Muslims believe is a faithful recounting of God’s word.

Muhammad didn’t introduce a new religion. Rather, he invited people to return to the religion of Abraham: submitting to one god. That alone was enough to cause trouble, as Muhammad’s words clashed with the personal interests of local community leaders and even Muhammad’s own tribe. Early converts to Islam had a difficult time in Mecca, where they were persecuted. Seeking freedom to practice their beliefs, a group of Muhammad’s followers migrated to the city of Medina in 622. This event and date mark the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

The Five Rules of İslam

Most Muslims largely accept these five essential practices, or “pillars,” of Islam as the basis of their faith:

1. Say and believe, “There is no other god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet.” This is called şehadet (sheh-hah-deht) in Turkish, which means “testimony” or “witness.” A Muslim bears witness by accepting and declaring the fundamentals of the faith.
2. Pray five times a day. Namaz (nah-mahz) is the word for daily ritual prayers. It means to pray, to recite God’s name “Allah,” and to prostrate oneself before God. It resembles a lot the Sun Salutations in Yoga practice.
3. Give to the poor. Charity, or zekat (zeh-kaht), is required of Muslims who can afford a decent living for their family. They should give away one-fortieth (about 2.5 percent) of their annual income to help the needy. Their giving should be discreet—under- taken without boasting and with care not to hurt the feelings of the receiver.
4. Fast during Ramadan. Devout Muslims in good health are required to fast (oruç; oh-rooch) from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. If for some reason a believer cannot fast, he or she must instead feed the poor. Fasting is not just about staying away from food and drink all day; it is about self-discipline and becoming closer to God.
5. Make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford it, and who are physically able, are required to go on a pilgrimage, called a hajj (ha:dge), to the sacred sites in Mecca and Medina at least once in their lifetime. The highlight of this journey to Islam’s holiest places is a visit to the Kaaba, the iconic cube-like building in Mecca. Muslims believe the Kaaba was built by the prophet Abra- ham and is dedicated to the worship of the one God (in Arabic, Allah).

Ablution

Ablution (abdest; ahb-dehst) is the physical and spiritual cleansing prescribed for a Muslim before prayer. It involves ritual washing of the body: hands and arms to the elbows, feet and lower legs, mouth, nose, face, and ears. The fountains and water taps you’ll see outside every mosque are for ablution.

Accommodation

There are varieties of hotels in different price levels. In İstanbul be sure to choose a central one such as in Karaköy, Taksim or in the Historical Peninsula. You can also prefer AirBnB’s.
Shopping

İstanbul is the paradise of shopping where you can find everything. Most of the shops are open every day, usually from 10:00-22:00 There are historical bazaars such as the Grand Bazaar (open 10:00-19:00 except Sundays) and the Spice Bazaar (Open every day 8:00 -19:00) or modern shopping malls in the modern part of the city.
Security

Generally everywhere is secure but in crowded places such as public transportation or popular touristic places watch for pick-pocketing.

Pharmacies

Medications in Turkey are only sold in pharmacies. Some of the medications need to have prescription.
Healthcare

As a tourist you can be treated in the state hospitals for quite reasonable prices, get a prescription from a doctor and buy your medication from a pharmacy. If you have an internationally valid insurance you can also be treated in private hospitals who have agreement with insurances or who can obtain permit for your treatment.Otherwise you have to cover the cost. Private hospitals have different levels of quality and service and the price depends on that. Also medical tourism is highly developed in Turkey with all kinds of healthcare treatments including oncology, dentistry, aesthetic and plastic surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, hair transplants etc. The level of service is high and developed in healthcare where you can feel in a five star hotel.
Tipping

When getting a service it is polite to tip with around %10-%20 of the bill. Sometimes the restaurants are including %10 service fee. In that case you do not need to leave a tip.
Internet

There is Wi-Fi connections in the cafes restaurants or in the hotels. Local GSM operators are offering different SIM cards fort he use of the tourists. Ask the qualified shops of Turkcell, Vodafone or Türk Telekom.

Electrical plugs

Regarding electrical plug Turkey uses F type plugs.

List of 11 Must-see sites in Turkey

1. İstanbul – Former Constantinople, the capital of the world, situated between Europe and Asia, between two seas, former capital of the Roman, East Roman and Ottoman Empires.
a. Haghia Sophia – Constantinople’s great church called the 8th wonder of the World, later converted to an Ottoman mosque, then a museum, and recently reestablished as a mosque.
b. Topkapı Palace – Residence of the sultans, with endless museum exhibits, astonishing artifacts, and the famous Harem
c. Bosphorus Ferry Trip – Public ferry ride on the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia offering to see the city from the sea and an opportunity to see the most expensive houses in the world.
d. İstiklal Street & Galata Tower – Cosmopolitan pedestrian street in the European Quarter of the City. 14-th century stone tower having 360 degree view of the city.
e. Grand Bazaar – World’s oldest shopping mall with 4,000 shops, 52 covered streets with friendly and pushy merchants.

2. Ephesus – One of the most important cities of the Roman Empire, among the top archeological sites to visit.

3. Aphrodisias – One of the most beautiful Roman city remains in the world and a center of sculpture art in ancient times.

4. Cappadocia – Landscape shaped by turffs of volcanic ashes and erosion forming an exotic looking terrain with authentic and close by towns, offering distinctive local experience and nature hikes, hot air balloons and the earliest cave churches.

5. Göbeklitepe – An archaeological site having the oldest temple of the World having the first man made statutes, described as point zero in history.

6. Thracian Wine Route – With its ancient vineyard routes and magnificent vineyards, the Thrace Vineyard Route offers a great alternative for those looking for natural and cultural experiences and those who want to discover the delicious flavors of the local wine and cuisine. A wine route for oenotourism and gastronomy including at least 16 boutique chateau type wine producers of the best wines in Turkey.

7. Pamukkale – The White Cotton castle of Denizli in Turkey offering you a swim in the Cleopatra Pool, the ancient ruins of Hierapolis and a visit to the tomb of an the martyr Philip.

8. Bodrum – The place for blue yacht tours.

9. Dalyan – Boat tour in a beautiful river passing by the Lycian Rock Tombs and the ruins of the Lycian ancient ruins of Kaunos.

10. Troy – The ancient city of the Homeric story of the Iliad and Odyssey with an impressive museum.

11. Phaselis – History and nature together on the coast of Mediterranean Sea.