|
Geographical area
788,695 sq km (slightly larger than Texas, U.S.A). European Turkey comprises just 3% of Turkey’s total landmass. The remaining 97% is Anatolia, a vast plateau rising eastwards towards the Caucasus Mountains. Turkey’s coastline is some 7,200km long! The topography is very varied: snow-capped mountains, immense
rivers, tree-lined coastlines, to-die for beaches, clear blue waters and rich agricultural valleys.
|
|
Capital
Ankara (approx. 3.6 million inhabitants).
|
|
Population
Approximately 70 million people.
|
|
People
The greatest majority are Sunni Muslim Turks. There is a significant minority of around 10 million Muslim Kurds living in the sparsely populated regions of eastern and southeastern Turkey. 4 million Kurds are scattered elsewhere throughout the country. Armenians and ethnic Greeks (fewer than 100,000) and approx. 24,000 Jews reside mainly in Istanbul.
|
|
Language
Turkish. In many areas of the South-east and East, various Kurdish dialects are spoken.
|
|
System of government
Republic with a parliamentary democracy.
|
|
Currency
Turkish Lira (YTL – Yeni Turk Lirasi)
|
|
Religion
99% Muslim. Turkey is a secular state and guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims.
|
|
Exchange rate (July 2008)
1 GBP = YTL2.40 / 1 EURO = YTL1.90 / 1 USD = YTL1.20 (subject to fluctuation).
|
|
Time Zones
Turkey is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Daylight saving time (+3 hours) is observed from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October.
|
|
Trading hours
0930 – 1300hrs and 1400 – 1900hrs or later. Shops are closed on Sunday. In tourist areas, shops are open from 1000 – 2200hrs, including Sunday. Markets are open 0800 – 1830hrs Monday – Saturday (limited sections on Sun). Banks are open 0830 – 1230hrs and 1330 – 1700hrs Monday – Friday. Note: Hours may change during Ramadan.
|
|
|
Voltage
Standard voltage is 220V; 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European plug with a small diameter prong (two round pins).
|
