|
Official Name
Republic
of
Turkey
Location
Situated between
Europe
and
Asia
, linking Western and Eastern cultures.
Turkey
’s European border adjoins
Greece
and
Bulgaria
; to the northeast is part of the former
Soviet Union
; and to the southeast lie
Iran
,
Iraq
and
Syria
. The Turkish peninsula is surrounded by four seas:
Mediterranean
(south),
Aegean
(west),
Sea of Marmara
(between
Europe
and
Asia
) and the
Black Sea
(north).
Size
Turkey
is approximately 301,000 square miles with 5.000 miles of coastline.
Population
62 million inhabitants. Major cities include
Istanbul
(10 Million), the capital city of
Ankara
(3.6 million),
Izmir
(3.0 million),
Konya
(1.9 million) and
Bursa
(1.9 million).
Languages
The Turkish Language uses Latin-based alphabet. Visitors will find that many Turkish people
in large cities speak English, French and German and are extremely helpful in assisting
travelers with direction, etc.
MONETARY SYSTEM
The national monetary unit is the Turkish
lira (TL). The coinage is in 10,000, 25,000, 50,000 and 100,000 lira pieces. Bank notes are of
100,000, 250,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 lira. The exchange rates for
foreign currencies are published daily. Euro checks can be cashed immediately as can
traveler’s checks upon producing identification. The most widely accepted credit cards are
American Express, Eurocard, Diner's Club, Visa and Mastercard. Exchange offices in touristic
places are generally open until
midnight
. For more information:
- Turkiye Bankalar Birligi, Nispetiye Cad., Akmerkez, No: 131 B-3 Blok,
Kat: 13-14, 80630 Etiler-Istanbul. Tel: (212) 282 09 73 (16 Lines), Fax: 282 09 46.
Note: You may exchange traveller's checks at Post Offices in some touristic places and at certain
banks.
PHONE CALLS
The most economic way to telephone in
Turkey
is from a PTT telephone booth (found in all towns). Tokens in three sizes for local, inter-city,
and international calls can be purchased from all PTT offices. Telephone cards are also
available.
WORKING HOURS
-
Government
Offices
8:30
- 12:30
;
13:30 - 17:30
(closed Sat. and Sun., open
daily in tourist areas)
-
Banks
8:30
- 12:00
;
13:30 - 17:00
(closed Sat. and Sun., open
daily in tourist areas)
-
Shops
9:30
- 19:00
(In tourist areas, closing times vary some close around
midnight
)
-
Covered
Bazaar,
Istanbul
7:00
- 19:00
(closed Sun.)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE BROADCASTS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION
Tourism Radio: Aims at introducing Turkey to foreigners visiting the country giving
historical, geographical, social, economic and tourist information, as well as current events,
and, of course music.
Air time: Daily from
7:30-12:45
and
18:30-20:00
local time.
News in English, French and German on Tourism Radio aired daily at
8:30-10:30
,
12:30-18:30
and
21:30
hrs. Feature programs are also broadcast
in these three languages.
- TRT TV2 News in English shortly after
22:00
.
- TRT TV2 Monday at
19:40
CNN in English -TV INT News in English shortly after
23:00
.
- TRT Radio 3 on the FM band airs news in English, French and German at
9:00
,
12:00
,
14:00
,
17:00
,
19:00
and
22:00
daily.
For more information contact:
- The Voice of
Turkey
, TRT (External Services) Turkiyenin Sesi Radyosu
PO Box
333
, Yenisehir ::
Ankara
,
Turkey
06443 Tel: (312) 490-9817, 490-9806, 05, 30. Tel and Fax: (312)
490-9840, 45
General Information About Museums
1-Museums are open to public on National Holidays and on the weekends They
are closed on the first day of Religious Holidays till
noon
.
2- All Museums are closed on Mondays except Istanbul Museums.
3- Museums may be closed temporarily due to restoration and conservation processes. On this
issue more information can be obtained from The Office of Cultural Attaché in
New
York
212
867 0255 or from Turkish Tourism Offices in
Washington
DC
and
New York
, 202
612 6800 or 212 687 2194 respectively.
4-
Private
Museums
and
National
Palaces
have
their own schedules
OFFICAL HOLIDAYS
Jan 1: New Year's Day
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
Apr 23: National Sovereignty and
Children's Day (anniversary of the establishment of Turkish Grand National Assembly)
May 19: Atatürk Commemoration
and Youth & Sports Day ( the arrival of Atatürk in
Samsun
, and the beginning of the War of Independence.)
Aug 30: Victory Day (victory over
invading forces in 1922).
Oct 29: Republic Day
(anniversary of the declaration of the
Turkish
Republic
)
RELIGIOS HOLIDAYS
Şeker Bayramı: Three-day festival when
sweets are eaten to celebrate the end of the fast of Ramazan.
Kurban Bayramı: Four-day festival when
sacrificial sheep are slaughtered and their meat distributed to the poor.
(The dates of these religious festivals change
according to the Muslim lunar calendar an thus occur 12 days earlier each year. In 1998, Şeker
Bayramı is celebreted on 29,30,
31 January 1998
and
Kurban Bayramı is celebrated on 7,8,9,
10 April 1998
.)
FESTIVALS - FAIRS - EVENTS
More than 100 festivals are organized in
Turkey
every year. Along with the local festivals organized in almost every
city of the country, international culture and art festivals are also held in major cities
such as
Istanbul
,
Ankara
,
Izmir
and
Antalya
.
Istanbul
is the most important center of international culture and art festivals.
Principal Turkish International Culture and Art
Festivals and other important events are as follows;
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January
|
Camel Wrestling Festival
|
Izmir-Selçuk,
January 21
|
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Organized
by; Selçuk-Efes Culture and Tourism Foundation
|
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March
|
1915 Sea Victory Celebration
|
Çanakkale,
March 13-18
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Organized
by; Çanakkale Office of Governor
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International
Ankara
Film Festival
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Ankara
, March 23 - April 1
|
|
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Organized
by; World Mass Communication Foundation
|
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April
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Traditional Mesir (Taffy)
Celebrations
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Manisa,
April
|
|
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Organized
by;
Manisa
Municipality
|
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International
Istanbul
Film Festival
|
Istanbul
, April 14-29
|
|
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Organized
by;
Istanbul
Culture and Art Foundation
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International
Ankara
Music Festival
|
Ankara
, April 2- 30
|
|
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Organized
by;
Çankaya
Municipality
and Sevda Cenap And Music Foundation
|
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International
Bergama
Fair
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Izmir-
Bergama, April 4-10
|
|
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Organized
by;
Bergama
Government Office and
Bergama
Municipality
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May
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Yunus Emre Culture and Art
Week
|
Eskisehir
, May 6-10
|
|
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Organized
by;
Eskisehir
Office of Governor and Yunus Emre Culture, Tourism and Art Foundation.
|
|
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Flying Broom International
Women's Film Festival Festival
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Ankara
, May 3-10
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|
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Flying
Broom Organization
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Marmaris Yacht Festival
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Marmaris, May 2 nd Week
|
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Organized
by; Marmaris Yacht Festival Committee
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International Istanbul
Theater Festival
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Istanbul
May 18- June1
|
|
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Organized
by;
Istanbul
Culture and Art Foundation
|
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Rafting Triathlon
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Antalya-Alanya May 12
|
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Organized
by;
Alanya
Municipality
|
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June
|
International Selçuk-Efes Culture, Art and Tourism Festival
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Izmir-Selçuk, June 15-30
|
|
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Organized
by;
Selçuk
Municipality
and Selçuk Efes Culture and Tourism Foundation
|
|
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International Bosphorus
Festival
|
Istanbul
, June 15-30
|
|
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Organized
by; Istanbul Municipality
Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
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International Kus Cenneti (Bird
Paradise
) Culture and Tourism Festival
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Balikesir- Bandirma,
June 1st Week
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Organized
by;
Bandirma
Municipality
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Nasreddin Hoca Festival
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Eskisehir
- Sivrihisar,
June 1 st Week
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Organized
by; Sivrihisar Government Office and
Sivrihisar
Municipality
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International Kahta
Kommagene Festival
|
Adiyaman-Kahta
June 25-27
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Organized
by; Kahta Tourism Information Office
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June -
July
|
International Aspendos Opera
and Ballet Festival
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Antalya-Serik,
June10-July10
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Organized
by; General Directorate of
Turkish
State
Opera and Ballet
|
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International
Istanbul
Music Festival
|
Istanbul
June 8- July 3
|
|
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Organized
by;
Istanbul
Culture and Art Foundation
|
|
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Traditional Kirkpinar Oil- Wrestling
|
Edirne
, June-July
|
|
|
Organized
by;
Edirne
Office of Governor and
Edirne
Municipality
|
|
|
International
Izmir
Festival
|
Izmir
, June 28- July 27
|
|
|
Organized
by;
Izmir
Culture, Art and Education Foundation
|
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July
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Nasreddin Hoca Festival
|
Konya
- Aksehir, July 5-10
|
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Organized
by; Aksehir Nasreddin Hoca Tourism Association.
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International
Istanbul
Jazz Festival
|
Istanbul
, July 6-21
|
|
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Organized
by; Istanbul Culture ve Art Foundation
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International Swimming
Competition
|
Istanbul
(across the Bosphorus), July 15
|
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Organized
by; National Olympic Committee Of
Turkey
|
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August
|
Mengen Chefs' and Tourism
Festival
|
Bolu-Mengen,
August 1st Week
|
|
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Organized
by;
Mengen
Municipality
|
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Troy Festival
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Çanakkale, August 10-18
|
|
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Organized
by;
Çanakkale
Municipality
|
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Hacibektas Veli
Commemoration Ceremonies
|
Nevsehir-Hacibektas,
August 16-18
|
|
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Organized
by;
Hacibektas
Municipality
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August -
September
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International Folklore Festival
|
Bursa- Orhangazi,
August-September
|
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Organized
by ;
Orhangazi
Municipality
|
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Izmir
International Fair
|
Izmir
,
August26-September10
|
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Organized
by;
Izmir
Fair Organization
|
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September
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Avanos International Tourism
and Handicrafts Festival
|
Nevsehir-Avanos,
September 7-9
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Organized
by;
Avanos
Municipality
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International Atatürk Dam Water Sports Feast
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Sanliurfa- Bozova, September 22-23
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Organized
by; GAP Regional Development Organization
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"Altin Safran"
Documentary Film Festival
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Karabük-Safranbolu,
September 20-23
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Organized
by; Safranbolu Government Office
|
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International
Istanbul
Biennial
|
Istanbul
, September 21- November 17
|
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Organized
by;
Istanbul
Culture and Art Foundation
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International Pamukkale Music and Culture Festival
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Denizli, September
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Organized
by; Denizli Office of Governor
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October
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Antalya
Altin Portakal Film Festival
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Antalya
, October 1-5
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Organized
by;
Antalya
Altin Portakal Culture and Art Foundation
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International Bodrum Cup and Gulet Competition
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Bodrum, October
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Organized
by; Bodrum Era Yatch Club
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International Wine
Competition
|
Nevsehir-
Ürgüp,
October 11-14
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Organized
by; Federation of International Wine Competitions and Tekel Genel Müdürlügü
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November
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Marmaris Yacht Races
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Mugla-Marmaris,
November First Week
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Organized
by; Marmaris International Yacht Club
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International CRR Mystic Music Festival
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Istanbul
, November
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Organized
by; Istanbul Municipality Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
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December
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International CRR Piano
Festival
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Istanbul
, December
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Organized
by; Istanbul Municipality Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
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St. Nicholas Symposium
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Antalya-Kale
(Demre), December 5-7
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Organized
by;
Kale
Municipality
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Mevlana (Whirling Dervishes) Commemoration Ceremonies
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Konya
, December 10-17
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Organized
by;
Konya
Office of Governor and
Konya
Cultural Directorate
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