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|  | TURKEY COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | "Where Europe and Asia come together"
Knocking at Europe's door yet on the threshold of Asia, Turkey is truly a land of contrasts. Here you can scale the icy heights of remote Mount Ararat in search of Noah's Ark, cross the historic Euphrates and Tigris rivers, follow in the footsteps of St Paul or simply relax on the golden Mediterranean sands of Patara beach. Vibrant Istanbul, straddling the blue waters of the Bosphorus separating Europe from Asia, beckons with its skyline pierced by countless minarets, chaotic bazaars and a history redolent with harem intrigue and despotic Sultans.
In Turkey, you can also cruise along more than a thousand kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, past secluded coves, rocky headlands and pretty fishing villages, or explore a hinterland rich in the wonderfully preserved remains of Graeco-Roman cities such as Ephesus. For the adventurous, the austere beauty of the Anatolian plateau, the surreal rock-chimney landscape of Cappadocia and the atmospheric ruins of the enigmatic Hittites await discovery. Here, too, is the unique experience of watching the dervishes whirl in pious Konya.
With a code of hospitality nurtured by their Islamic beliefs yet with a remarkable tolerance of other customs, the Turks offer a warm welcome wherever you travel - be it sipping sweet black tea or thick coffee with friendly villagers or sharing a bottle of raki over mezes (hors d'oeuvres) with cosmopolitan Istanbul 'city slickers'. Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives, but after the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey, mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy, enabling it to begin accession membership talks with the European Union. 81 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak. Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that in 2004 still accounted for more than 35% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts for one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the global quota system. However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix. In recent years the economic situation has been marked by erratic economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Inflation, in recent years in the high double-digit range, fell to 9.3% by 2004 - a 30-year low. Despite these strong economic gains in 2002-04, which were largely due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still plagued with high debt and deficits. The public sector fiscal deficit exceeds 6% of GDP - due in large part to the huge burden of interest payments, which accounted for more than 40% of central government spending in 2004, and to populist spending. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkey remains low - averaging less than $1 billion annually, but further economic and judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost FDI. A major political and economic issue over the next decade is whether or not Turkey will become a member of the EU. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Istanbul
Spanning the continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a bustling, cosmopolitan city, and its history as the former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires has left a rich legacy of mosques, churches, museums and magnificent palaces, coupled with bustling bazaars and a vibrant street life.
Istanbul is made up of three distinct cities. The old city of Istanbul is decorated with parks and gardens. The main attractions include Topkapi, the residential palace of the Ottoman sultans overlooking the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus; the Blue Mosque, the only mosque in the world with six minarets; St Sophia, once a Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque and now a museum; and, underground, the Byzantine cistern supported by 336 Corinthian columns.
Across the Golden Horn, in stark contrast, is modern Istanbul, Pera, where the larger hotels are situated.
On the third shore lies Uskudar (Scutari), the Asian part of Istanbul, where Florence Nightingale nursed the sick during the Crimean War. Two massive suspension bridges now span the Bosphorus and afford a panoramic view of Istanbul.
Istanbul is convenient in that many seaside resorts on the Bosphorus are only a short drive away. Other attractions are the ancient fortifications at Rumeli Hisar, the National Park of Mount Uludag, the ruins of Troy and the boat trips on the Bosphorus or to the Princes Islands.
The Aegean Coast
The magnificent coast of ancient Ionia, a crucible of western civilisation, boasts many important historical sites. It is thought that the remains of Troy lie along this coast. Of the nine levels of the excavated settlement mound, the sixth is supposed to be the Troy depicted in Homer's Iliad. The ruins of the great city of Pergamum (modern Bergama) lie to the south of Troy. The city was famous in antiquity for its splendid library. It is here that you will find the Sanctuary of Asclepieion and two fine temples, the Acropolis and the red-brick Basilica.
Izmir, the birthplace of Homer, is Turkey's third city and an important port. It is a modern metropolis set in a curving bay surrounded by terraced hillsides. As a result of earthquakes and a great fire, there are only a few reminders of old Smyrna - Kadifekale, the fourth-century fortress situated on top of Mount Pagos. The fortress affords a superb view of the city and the Gulf of Izmir, the Roman agora with some well-preserved porticos and Statues of Poseidon and Artemis. Çesme is one of the many popular resorts in the Izmir region. It has excellent beaches, thermal springs and a 15th-century fortress. The port of Sigacik, the ruins of the ancient Ionian city of Teos and the sandy beach at Akkum are all between Izmir and Çesme.
The remains of the Hellenistic and Roman city of Ephesus (modern Selcuk) founded in the 13th century BC, lie at the foot of Mount Pion. The Grand Theatre has been restored and there is a second-century Temple to Serapis and the elegant façade to the Temple of Hadrian. The site of Meryemana, reputed to be the house of the Virgin Mary, lies very close to Ephesus in the small vale of Mount Bulbul Dagi (Nightingale Mountain). It has become a world-famous shrine, attracting thousands of pilgrims each year. The ruins of Priene, Miletus and Didyma are also of great interest and, like Ephesus, are within easy reach of Kusadasi, an attractive resort surrounded by sandy bays.
The attractions of the southwest Aegean include the popular seaside town of Bodrum (birthplace of Herodotus, known as the father of history), dominated by the magnificent 15th-century Castle of St Peter; Marmaris, set in a deep fjord-like inlet; the fishing village of Datca and the Lycian rock tombs in Fethiye. Not far from Fethiye is Ölü Deniz, a stunning crystal-clear lagoon with a beautiful beach surrounded by pine-covered mountains. It is protected from rampant commercial development by its status as a national park. Pamukkale, near Denizli, is famous for its spectacular calcified waterfall and thermal waters, used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Pamukkale also contains the ruins of the Roman city of Hierapolis.
The Mediterranean Coast
Turquoise Coast
With sunshine for most of the year and a magnificent coastline, the western Mediterranean (or Turquoise) Coast is a popular holiday area. It is also a region steeped in history and legend, dotted with important sites and great Crusader castles.
Situated on a cliff promontory, Antalya is a popular resort and, with its modern hotels, is the ideal starting point for tours to the outlying Roman cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side. Antalya itself boasts the monumental Hadrian's Gate, Kesik Minare and Yivli Minare mosques and Hidirlik Kulesi; a round Roman tower. One of the largest and best-preserved Roman stadiums lies outside the Hellenistic wall that surrounds the ruins of Perge. In addition to the Victory Portal, thermal bath and agora, the marks of chariot wheels can still be detected. The region of Belek is situated 30km (19 miles) east of Antalya. It is the habitat of hundreds of species of birds, and the clean beaches are breeding grounds for the rare Caretta turtle.
The remarkable second-century theatre at Aspendos is a fine surviving example of the ancient world and is still used for performances of classical plays. Turkey's finest Roman aqueduct lies to the north of the city. In Side, now a thriving seaside resort, the Greek enclosure walls are still virtually undamaged. The town also boasts an exquisite fountain, a theatre, two agoras and Roman baths. Nestling at the foot of a rocky promontory and crowned by a Seljuk fortress, the town of Alanya is rich in history and has some fine beaches.
Eastern Mediterranean Coast
A spectacularly scenic road connects Anamur, striking for the Byzantine castle built on a towering cliff, and Silifke. The museum in ancient Silifke contains finds from the many archaeological sites in the vicinity. Mersin, built on a site dating back to Paleolithic times, is a major port. The prosperous city of Adana, in the middle of the flat Cukurova plain, is the centre of Turkey's cotton industry. The massive Taskopru Bridge, built by Hadrian in the second century, the ancient covered bazaar and nearby Crusader castles and Hittite settlements are all interesting sites. The road from Iskenderun leads through the Belen Pass to Antakya, the Biblical Antioch, where St Peter founded the first Christian community. The grotto where he preached can be seen just outside the town.
The Black Sea Coast
This rugged, mountainous region of Turkey has a wild beauty, but lacks the historical and climatic attractions of the rest of the country. Despite the variable weather, there are several coastal resorts with good, sandy beaches. These include, from west to east, Kilyos, Sile, Akcakoca, Sinop Unye, Ordu and Giresun. A good and scenic coastal road connects Samsun and Trabzon, the two regional centres. Samsun has an important place in modern history as the War of Independence began here in 1919, which is reflected by one of the finest monuments in Turkey, though little remains to testify to its ancient origins. In Trabzon, the ruins of a Byzantine fortress can still be seen, together with many fine buildings including the Church of St Sophia, which was built during the Comnene's 200-year rule. Accommodation facilities in the area have improved in recent years, with a number of good standard hotels now available. The luxury Grand Hotel Zorlu, located 4km (2.5 miles) from Trabzon airport, is well situated for excursions to the Sumala Monastery, Lake Uzungöl or the Karaca Cave, which are amongst the main tourist attractions in the area. 54km (34 miles) from Trabzon is a spectacular 14th-century convent dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Set into the face of a sheer cliff, 300m (1000ft) above the valley floor, it contains some magnificent frescoes.
Central Anatolia
Ankara
The hub of this vast, central plateau - the cradle of the ancient Hittite and Phrygian civilisations - is the modern metropolis of Ankara. Kemal Atatürk supervised the construction of Ankara, a capital to replace Istanbul, in this hitherto underpopulated region during the 1920s and 1930s. Atatürk's mausoleum dominates the new city. Ankara was, however, built on the site of more ancient settlements and it is fitting that the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, built under the ramparts of the Citadel, should house a magnificent collection of Neolithic and Hittite artefacts. There are also reminders of the area's more recent past as part of the Roman and Seljuk empires.
Konya
The old Seljuk capital and Turkey's fourth-largest city, Konya is one of the world's oldest settlements, dating back to the seventh millennium BC. Konya was also the home of the Mevlana, one of Islam's most celebrated mystics and founder of the Order of Whirling Dervishes. The mausoleum of Mevlana became a museum in 1927 under Atatürk's secularisation policy, but remains a place of worship. Other places of interest include Alaeddin's 13th-century mosque, the Ince Minare Medrese and the Iplikci Mosque, Konya's oldest structure. The ancient sites of Beysehir, Catalhoyuk and Binbir Kilise are all close to Konya.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a spectacular, almost surreal landscape of rock and cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines. Dwellings have been hewn from the soft, volcanic rock since 400 BC, and the elaborate cave systems have sheltered generations of persecuted settlers. Some villages, notably Soganli, are still inhabited but most have been evacuated owing to the persistent threat of rock falls. At Goreme there are magnificent rock churches with Byzantine frescoes and at Zelve a somewhat eerie monastic complex. The villages of Ortahisar and Uchisar, clustered around rock pinnacles and crowned by citadels, offer good views. The canyon of Ihlara and the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu should not be missed. Small, friendly hostels and campsites are dotted around Cappadocia, but the best hotels are to be found in the main towns of Nevsehir and Urgup. The ancient settlements of Kanes, Karum and Fraktin (now a ski resort), near the old city of Kayseri, are worth seeing.
Elsewhere
The Hittite state archives were found in Bogazkale (Hattusas) in 1906, and contained within the Bogazkale-Alacahoyuk-Yazilikaya triangle are the most important sites of the Hittite Empire. Sungurlu is a good base for visitors to this fascinating but underdeveloped region. Amasya, one of the most attractive towns in Anatolia, was the capital of the Pontic Kingdom. The rock tombs of the Pontic kings and the ruins of a citadel, perched on a rock face and containing the remains of an Ottoman palace, can still be seen. The nearby towns of Tokat and Sivas are noted for their Seljuk architecture.
The Eastern Provinces
The vast, empty expanse of eastern Anatolia differs profoundly from the rest of the country. The landscape has a desolate beauty, with ochre red plains and fertile valleys, lakes, waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. There are fine mosques, palaces and monuments.
Erzurum, the largest town in the region, was one of the eastern bastions of Byzantium for many centuries, and has mosques and mausolea from the Seljuk and Mongol eras, Byzantine walls and two Koranic colleges characterised by minarets and finely carved portals. The frontier town of Kars, to the north of Erzurum, is dominated by a formidable 12th-century Georgian fortress. The ruins of the tenth-century Ani lie east of Kars. Overshadowed by Agri Dagri, the biblical Mount Ararat where, according to legend, Noah's Ark came to rest, is the palace and mosque of Ishak Pasha at Dogubeyazit. The site is remote and fascinating. The walled town of Van, on the eastern shore of the immense Lake Van, was an important Urartu fortress from 800-600 BC. The citadel dominates the ruins of Seljuk, Ottoman mosques and many rock tombs. On the island of Akdamar, in Lake Van, is the enchanting tenth-century Church of the Holy Cross. Other places of interest include Diyarbakir, built in the fourth century and surrounded by forbidding triple walls of black basalt; the white-coloured medieval architecture and Roman citadel of Mardin; Urfa, site of the ancient pools of Abraham and Nemrut Dagi, the home of the colossal stone statues erected by King Antiochus I in the first century BC. Accommodation in this area is very basic and often hard to find.
Ski Resorts
Winter sports resorts in Turkey are generally located in forested mountains of average height. The following ski centres are easily accessible by road or Turkish Airlines domestic flights.
Bursa - Uludag
36km (22 miles) south of Bursa, this resort is accessible by a good asphalt road or by cable car. The season runs from January to April. There are beginners' slopes, slalom and giant slalom courses, ski lifts and chair lifts and après-ski facilities. A wide range of accommodation is available - hotels and chalets with a capacity for 3100 - and the resort also has a small hospital.
Antalya - Saklikent
48km (30 miles) north of Antalya, in the Bakirli Dagi mountain range, it reaches 2546m (8353ft) high. Accommodation consists of pensions and chalets, with a capacity of 2500. The special attraction of this centre is that in March and April it is possible to ski in the morning, then drive down to the coast and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean in the afternoon.
Bolu - Koroglu
This resort is situated on the Istanbul-Ankara highway, 50km (30 miles) from Bolu and surrounded by pine forests; the ski area is 1900-2350m (6235-7710ft) high. Hotel accommodation is available, and amenities include a swimming pool, ski lift, equipment for hire, and ski instructors.
Erzurum - Palandoken
This centre, 5km (4 miles) from Erzurum, lies at an altitude of 2200-3100m (7200-10,000ft) with some of the longest and most difficult courses in Turkey. Accommodation is available at a 140-bed, centrally-heated ski lodge, with a chair lift, ski instructors and equipment for hire. The 500-bed hotel Dedeman offers 4-star accommodation and facilities. There are also a number of hotels in Erzurum. December to April is the most popular season.
Kars - Sarikamis
Situated near Kars at 2250m (7400ft), this centre has good runs and ideal snow conditions. The best time to visit is January to March. There is accommodation in Kars and at the 60-bed, centrally-heated ski lodge with a chair lift and ski instructors.
Kayseri - Erciyes
25km (15 miles) from Kayseri, this centre lies at 2150m (7050ft) on the eastern face of Erciyes Dagi. The season runs from November to May and there is a 140-bed ski lodge, equipment-hire facilities and instructors. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a drivers license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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