According to Smber, the official name is the Republic of Turkey, located mostly in southwestern Asia and partly in southern Europe, on the Antolian Peninsula, washed by the waters of the Black, Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean seas. Resorts in Turkey are well-deservedly popular due to the mild climate, beautiful beaches, reasonable prices and the friendliness of the local population. Services account for about half of the country’s economy, so it is not surprising that tourism in Turkey is quite common. Historically, the country’s beaches have been a traditional holiday destination for tourists from Germany, but thanks to the development of contacts between Turkey and Russia, the share of Russian vacationers is currently predominant. We can safely say that Turkey is the most popular place for foreign holidays among Russians.
Geography of Turkey
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20s of the last century, a new state was formed on the Antolian Peninsula – the Republic of Turkey, where representatives of the Turkish ethnic group predominated. In the east, the state borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, in the west – with Bulgaria and Greece, in the south – with Syria and Iraq. Turkey is washed by the waters of four seas: the Mediterranean, Marmara, Aegean and Black, and the tank by the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. Since ancient times, the main sea trade routes connecting Europe and Asia ran through the territory of modern Turkey. Where the waters of the Bosphorus flow into the Sea of Marmara, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Istanbul, the former Constantinople, is located, and the hanging Bosphorus Bridge, 1560 meters long, connects Europe with Asia. The capital is Ankara. Major cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa,
Area
The area of the country is 780,580 sq. km.
Population
About 73.8 million people live in Turkey.
Currency
The official currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY).
Language
Official language – Turkish
Visa
For citizens of the Russian Federation from 16.04.2011 visa-free entry for up to 30 days
Weather in Turkey
Since Turkey is predominantly a mountainous country, the climate in its mountainous part is continental, ranging from mild to harsh in the east and turning into a subtropical Mediterranean on the coasts. Thanks to this, on the border of the cold and hot seasons, you can successfully both ski (Armenian Highlands) and swim in the sea. The hot season on the coasts lasts from April to October (the average temperature at this time is +25…+32 C). The average temperature in the country in winter is +5 … +15 C, in the mountains and on the plateau up to -10… -20 C. The Black Sea coast is characterized by hot and humid summers, while the Mediterranean is more comfortable at this time (hot and dry).
Currency exchange
Due to the volatility of the Turkish lira, it is advisable to change the currency for a short period (several days) as needed. When exchanging on the black market, there is a high probability of being deceived. At exchange offices, pay attention to whether they charge a commission for the exchange (the exchange rate can be profitable, but the exchange commission devalues it). At the resorts, banks usually work seven days a week, opening hours from 8:30 to 17:00, a break from 12:00 to 13:30. In banks, currency exchange is most favorable. In hotels, the course is usually underestimated. Many stores readily accept US dollars, this is the most preferred currency. At the same time, change can not always be obtained if it is small. When paying in euros, you can get into a situation where the seller will count euros at the dollar rate – this is a type of petty scam. Traveler’s checks are not accepted everywhere. But if you prefer this type of money, then try to use American Express and Thomas Cook checks. There are ATMs in all cities. When paying with a bank card, a tax is often charged for this type of calculation (5-7%), and often the buyer is not warned about this, the amount of this tax will be debited from the cardholder’s account automatically.
Electricity
220V/50Hz. The socket is European (Russian usual), two-pin.
Religion
99% of the country’s population are Muslims, mostly Sunnis. Turkey is perhaps the most secular of the Muslim countries. According to the law, freedom of religion is guaranteed to every inhabitant, and religion and the state are separated from each other. However, many of the official laws are based on Sharia law, although this is unlikely to be noticed by tourists. Women are recommended to wear clothing that covers most of the body, but in everyday life, most women prefer Western clothing.
Security
In general, Turkey is a safe and civilized country. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know and take into account local specifics and traditions in order not to get into an unpleasant situation. Despite the fact that theft is not common in the country as a whole, you should be wary of street thieves, pickpockets and petty scammers. These can be both local residents and visitors from Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, committing banal pickpocketing and gaining confidence in the intended victim. Most of these victims are women (pleasant conversation, dinner at a restaurant, a drink with sleeping pills…). The theft of passports and their subsequent sale is gaining popularity. If your passport is lost, you should immediately contact the police and the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Have a business card or voucher from your hotel with you. Do not take pictures of people without their consent. This is especially true for women in traditional black capes, they do not need to be photographed at all. It is not necessary to talk about the history of Turkey too freely, it is especially better to refrain from discussing the first President of the country, Atatürk. This is a very respected person. Be respectful of Turkish customs. Refrain from vulgarity in behavior, speech and dress, do not openly drink alcohol in public places and try not to get into the police station.
Health
In case of minor ailments, contact the pharmacy (opening hours from 9:00 to 19:00). There are on-call pharmacies open 24/7. In serious cases, call your insurance agent and follow his advice. In the absence of an insurance policy, go to a hospital (public or more expensive private), in which case medical care will be paid for you. You can ask the hotel staff to call you a doctor or recommend a hospital.
