Country's Full Name: Republic of Turkey; Turkiye Cumhuriyeti

Brief History: Anatolia or Turkey was part of Hittites Empire from 1900 BC - 1200 BC. In the 6th century BC it became a part of Persian Empire. The territory was later annexed by the Romans and successive empires of Phrygians and Lydians. Ottomans emerged in 13th century under the first Emperor Osman I; reflecting their might to mid-east Europe, North Africa, and the middle-east. It is the only empire which lasted for 600 long years, finally dismantled by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ataturk (father of Turks) led to the independence of modern Turkey in 1920 making it a republic and secular state in 1923. Since 1963, the country is associate member of European Union taking all measures to become full-time member. Turkey as a member of NATO has its second-largest standing army after the US.

What is the country known for: The country is famous for its hamams, where group of people bath together in hot and cold rooms. Purchase hand-woven carpets for its exclusive design and patterns. Historically, the country is famous for legendary city of Troy, Noah's Arc, Ottoman Empire, temple of Artemis/Zeus. Religiously, it has birthplace of St. Paul, St. Nicholas's Church, and House of Virgin Mary.

Main Industries:
Textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber.
The country has natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore, arable land, and hydropower.

Main Trading Partners:
Export partners (2005): Germany 13%, UK 8.2%, Italy 7%, US 6.9%, France 5.1%, Spain 4.2%.
Import Partners (2005): Germany 13.9%, Russia 10.5%, Italy 7%, France 5.6%, china 4.4%, US 4.1%

Major Cities:
Istanbul: population 9,760,000 (metro); 8,831,805 (proper city)
Ankara (capital): population 3,582,000 (metro); 3,456,100 (proper city)
Izmir: population 2, 398,200
Bursa: population 1, 288,900
Adana: population 1, 219,900
Gaziantep: population 979,500

Location: Turkey lies in two continents Europe and Asia; it is in the south-eastern Europe/south-western Asia. It borders to Black Sea, Georgia, Bulgaria in the north and Mediterranean Sea in the south with Iraq, Iran and Syria.

39 00 N, 35 00 E

Size:
Total area: 301,384 sq mi; 780,580 sq km
Land area: 297, 591 sq mi; 770,760 sq km
Water area: 3,793 sq mi; 9,820 sq km

The total area of Turkey is slightly more than Texas.

Time Zone:
UTC/GMT: 2 hour
Summer Time: Eastern European Summer Time -- UTC/GMT: 3 hour

Type of Government: Even though a Muslim state; Turkey is secular, democratic country since its formation in 1923. President is the ceremonial head of state elected by the parliament for seven-years. Turkey has 550 member unicameral parliament called as National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi. The members are elected for five-year-term by voting in 85 electoral districts. These members elect their Prime Minister by consensus finally approved by the President. The council of ministers are selected by the Prime Minister. All executive decisions are taken by the Prime Minister and his council of ministers.

Prime Minister: Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2003)
President: Abdullah Gul (2007)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
23 Apr National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
1 May May Day Public Holiday (Istanbul only).
19 May Commemoration of Atatürk and Youth and Sports Day.
30 Aug Victory Day.
28 Oct - 29 Oct (28th is a half-day) Republic Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
23 Apr National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
1 May May Day Public Holiday (Istanbul only).
19 May Commemoration of Atatürk and Youth and Sports Day.
30 Aug Victory Day.
30 Aug - 31 Aug Ramazan Bayrami (End of Ramadan).
28 Oct - 29 Oct (28th is a half-day) Republic Day.
6 Nov - 7 Nov Kurban Bayrami (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to the phases of the moon and change each year. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Ramazan Bayrami, Muslims fast during the day and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Generally, centres of tourism are unaffected. Some disruption may continue into Ramazan Bayrami itself. Ramazan Bayrami and Kurban Bayrami may last anything from three to 10 days, depending on the region. Transport and hotels are very busy during these holidays, so book in advance.

Population and Breakdown:
July 2007 estimate: 71,158,647
0-14 years: 24.9% (male 9,034,731/female 8,703,624)
15-64 years: 68.1% (male 24,627,270/female 23,857,507)
65 years and over: 6.9% (male 2,253,383/female 2,682,132)

Median age: 28.6 years (male 28.4 years/female 28.8 years)
Life expectancy: 72.88 years (male 70.43 years/female 75.46 years)

Religion: Muslim - 99.8% (Sunni 80%), Christians and Jews - 0.2%

Language: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli, Azeri, Kabardian

Local Customs:
Turkey is predominantly Islamic country, visitors should respect the religion. Smoking should be avoided in public places and during religious festivities.
When you visit a Turkish family, kiss the elder's hand bringing it to the forehead.
Put your shoes off while entering the house.
Don't point at some one, it is considered rude.
Hugging and kissing the opposite sex in public is completely forbidden.
Topless sunbathing is also not allowed.
It is considered a bad-manner to blow your nose.

Best Time to go: Turkey is mountainous country having seven climatic regions - Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia. The interiors in summer are harsh. The best time to visit Turkey is in April-May and September-October with moderate temperatures in between 48 F-65 F.

Currency:
1 US Dollar = 1.27766 Turkish New Lira
1 Turkish New Lira (TRY) = 0.78268 US Dollar (USD)
1 Euro = 1.77140 Turkish New Lira
1 Turkish New Lira (TRY) = 0.56453 Euro (EUR)
1 British Pound = 2.59642 Turkish New Lira
1 Turkish New Lira (TRY) = 0.38515 British Pound (GBP)

Customs Regulations:
Cigarettes and cigarette papers - 200 each
Cigars - 50
Pipe tobacco - 200 grams (7.02 ounces)
Chewing tobacco - 50 grams (1.75 ounce)
Snuff - 200 grams (7.02 ounces)

In addition 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, 500 grams of pipe tobacco from Turkish duty free shops can be purchased on entering the country.

Valuables above $15,000 should be reported on entry.

Tipping:
Tipping is a way of life in Turkey. Mostly underpaid employees are heavily dependent on tipping/gratuities.

Restaurants: small restaurant waiters expect 5-10%, expensive restaurants waiters can be given 10-15%.
Hotels: Pay 50 cents to $1 per bag to the porter will be enough.
Archeological guides: A few extra dollars for exceptional service can be given.
Taxi driver: They don't expect tips; give them the round figure of fare.
Minibus: No tipping
Airports/bus stations/train stations: Official porter charges are displayed. Extra tipping to 50 cents-75 cents per bag will be enough.
Hamam: When in Turkey try a hamam, a unique way of Turkish bathing. Don't forget to pay the attendant 15% of bill, when you come out.