Turkey - one of the most visited tourist centers of the world. Emerald sea, endless golden beaches, gentle sun, covered with stately pines mountains, swift river flows and waterfalls, and a great number of monuments of world history and culture, and natural attractions. Each of the resorts in Turkey is good in its own way, but they are united by the continued Turkish hospitality and friendliness.
Geography
  
Modern Turkey is located on part of the land, known as Asia Minor or Anatolia, stretching from Asia to South-East Europe. Asia Minor (Anatolia), bordered on the north by the Black Sea in the west - the Aegean, in the south - the Mediterranean Sea.

Anatolia is separated from Europe, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles with the Sea of Marmara. Black Sea Mountains in the north and from the south of the Taurus, like walls surround Anatolian Plateau. In the east, there are extinct volcanoes and high mountains, of which Ararat (5165 m) is the highest point in Turkey. To the east are the sources of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in the Aegean Sea Menderes River flows. Length of the coastline is made up of Turkey 8500 km, the area - 780,577 square meters. km.
Climate

Turkey's climate varies by region. In the west and south, dominated by the Mediterranean climate, the summer months are hot and dry, and winter - mild. Therefore, Antalya and the surrounding region, characterized by hot summers, called the Turkish Riviera. On the inland highlands dominated continental climate, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. In the eastern areas of the country dominated by continental climate, on the Black Sea coast due to steep terrain much rain falls. The temperature on the south coast can swim from April to October. West Coast differs by a constant heat. In Istanbul, the climate is mild, the sky is often overcast. Unpleasant (wet and hot) in the summer the area between different measurements and Antakya. Nationwide, the average January temperature ranges from +5 to +15 ° C, July +15 to +32 ° C. In the resort area 300 days a year the sun shines hot, so even if you're already a bit tanned at home, it is recommended to use protective creams with UVA-UVB factor of at least 15-20, and do not forget about them until the last days of your vacation.
Capital

In 1923, Turkey's capital was moved from Istanbul to Ankara.
Population
 
At present, there are about 65-70 million people, most of them - in urban areas. 82% of the population - the Turks, 10.6% - the Kurds. The rest are Arabs, Greeks, Armenians, Spanish Jews, Circassians, and other small ethnic groups.
Language

Official language - Turkish. In modern Turkish, many borrowings from French and Italian. English is widely spoken and German. Most traders well understand Russian.

Script based on the Latin alphabet (write in Turkish Arabic letters is prohibited by law). Inscription on souvenirs, objects of worship, mosques and Koran schools use Arabic.
Currency

TRY (Turkish pounds). In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1 000 000, 500 000, 250 000, 100 000, 50 000, 20 000, 10 000, 5000 pounds and coins in 500 and 100 pounds. High inflation is not to specify the relation lira and the U.S. dollar

Lyra can bring in an unlimited amount, but take out only the amount equivalent to $ 1,000 U.S.. Foreign currency is allowed to import without restriction. Cash can be exchanged at banks and exchange in many hotels. Many Turkish hotel to pay for drinks and services are used magnetic bracelets, which are purchased at the reception desk as needed, as return of unused funds are not made
Time zone
 
Local time in Turkey from the Ukrainian (GMT +02:00).
Religion

Most of the population - are Sunni Muslims (75%), about 20% - the Shiites, Christians - 0.2%. Most of the population is religious, and many areas of public life infused by Islam.
Political Structure

Turkey - a constitutional republic with a presidential form of government. Legislative power is vested in Parliament (Grand National Assembly). Executive power is exercised by the president (elected by Parliament for a term of 7 years) and the Council of Ministers.

Now Turkey - the modern Western country, a member of NATO and the UN, which plays a prominent role on the world stage, especially in West Asia and the Mediterranean. The capital of Turkey is Ankara. In Europe, Turkey has a border of small extent from Bulgaria to the north, Greece to the west, Georgia and Armenia, the Caucasus, Iran and Iraq to the east and Syria between the Tigris and Euphrates.
Customs regulations

Tourists can bring in:

- Personal things;
- A video camera and five videotapes (net), five audio tapes or laser discs;
- One handheld, electronic devices play;
- One radio, player, player kompkat drive (the device must be certified by the Ministry of Finance and Customs, the most common models are certified);
- One pair of binoculars;
- The necessary medications;
- Bicycle, stroller, toys
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars;
- 200 grams of tobacco, or 50 grams of chewing tobacco;
- Coffee 1.5 kg, 1.5 kg of instant coffee, 500 grams of tea;
- One kilogram and one kilogram of chocolate candies;
- Five (1L) or seven (700 ml) bottles of wine or spirits;
- Five bottles of perfume (120 ml maximum of each);
- Valuable items with a value of more than $ 15,000 must be declared at all in Turkey;
- Sharp tools and weapons can not be brought into the country without special permission;
- Transportation of drugs into the country is strictly prohibited, penalties are high.
 
Tourists can take out of the country:

- Gifts: new carpet with a certificate of purchase, vintage items, they need a certificate from the management of the museum;
- Export antiques from Turkey is forbidden;
- Valuable personal items may be removed from the country if they were declared in the entry, or if there is a document confirming the legality of their acquisition in Turkey.
Transport. Car

Almost all the major cities of Turkey are airports, and between organized domestic flights.

The bus is the most important means of public transport. Intercity bus lines (several regional companies) join together almost all the major coastal cities. Buses leave almost every hour, and the fare is relatively low. The level of comfort in buses is high, most are air-conditioned. Tickets are sold at bus stations ("otogar") and are considered second-class. But you can get on the bus without a ticket and pay a visit on the way. During religious holidays should book tickets in advance.
 
Rail transport plays a minor role in Turkey, as buses are far superior to him in comfort and speed.

Car rental offers unparalleled freedom of movement. The lower age limit from being allowed to rent a subcompact car - 19 years, a bigger car - 24 years, the road - 27 years.

In Turkey, there are many companies where you can rent a car. You need a passport, driver's license and either a secure credit card or cash deposit are large (about 500 USD). If you rent a car through the hotel, all this may not be necessary. The age limit for rental cars - from 21 years, and the Russians must have worked at least one year of driving.

As a rule, in the tank rental car is just enough petrol to it you can get to the nearest gas station, so you should immediately ask where it is.

In Turkey, many gas stations world-renowned companies (Mobil, Shell, British Petroleum, Total, Elf), and Turkey (Petrol Ofisi and Turkpetrol). Gas stations are everywhere (just in eastern Anatolia may have difficulty finding them.) Many stations are open until late at night or around the clock, some - from 6:00 to 22:00. One liter of gasoline in Turkey costs about 65-70 cents.
 
Get the car in the same city (for example, in Istanbul) and making payment for a certain number of days, you can leave the city and go anywhere in Turkey. If you do not have time to go back in time, it is sufficient to call the company and they will have to extend the contract, payment for days past due will be deducted from the deposit. In case of extension of the contract, the price of the rental car should be reduced by at least 10%, unless the lease over 7 days.

Prices: rent a car "economy class" will cost 40-45 USD per day.

Be sure to make sure you have the insurance of the vehicle, drivers and passengers. Quite often the police are checking documents on the road, so you need to always have a car documents, law and insurance.

Discipline local drivers on the roads mean: be prepared for sudden stops and abrupt maneuvers adequately committed without warning signals. Theoretically hand movement in Turkey, but in practice the Turks often rush the middle of the road and do not want anyone to give in, relying on chance. Particular care should be at night - cars can drive without switching on lights and can stay in the middle of the road. Pedestrians in Turkey are extremely undisciplined.

Speed limits: in the city - 50 km / h, for the city - 90 km / h
Link

As in many countries, the rates for international calls to Ukraine in the hotels are very high and we recommend you buying a phone card to use the normal urban machines. Cost of 1 minute conversation with Ukraine is slightly more than U.S. $ 1. For tourists with mobile phones can report that in Turkey working standard GSM - 900 and has an international roaming with Ukrainian operators, thus you need to be clarified prior to departure from your operator cost of incoming and outgoing minute.
Electricity

Almost everywhere, voltage 220V, in rare cases - 110V.
Tip

Tipping in Turkey rather moderate (5-10%). Despite the fact that the service charge included in the bill in most Turkish restaurants, the money rarely reach the waiters. Therefore, the additional charge is not considered mandatory, but gratefully accepted in budget establishments. In restaurants, high-end leave 10-15%, can be up to 20% - especially if you're really happy with the quality of service.

Maids, security guards, hotel employees can give a small tip as thanks for services (hotel clerk usually leave a tip-out - 5.10 dollars put in boxes placed for this tip-box in the bar, restaurant, reception in my room. Amount depends on how much you liked the service.). Porter at the hotel - 0.5 - $ 1 per piece of luggage. The same amount of pay to their colleagues at the airports and railway stations. Do not give in to provocations. Some porters at airports charge an exorbitant price for the transportation of baggage up to $ 5 per seat. Let's not more than a dollar (this is quite sufficient amount, but be prepared to listen to a long and loud tirade, meaning that you will be clear without translation). When in doubt - ask for clarification from the administration or search a sign with the price list: the porter set strict tariff. Turkish taxi drivers do not have to give a tip, you can round off the fare. For example, if it is 7.7 YTL, round up to 8. In the Turkish baths (hamam) is traditionally accepted to leave 15 to 25% tip, distributing them among employees. Deprive someone of them will not work. All of them will be waiting at the exit from the institution to personally say goodbye.

Tour bus driver and guide usually dumped on the dollar at the end of the voyage, made also thank the driver for help in loading luggage. But in the taxi or shuttle bus to tip is not accepted. Valet tip can be given at the end of your stay, but it will be much nicer to get tips from time to time.
Water

In Turkey, you can not drink the tap water. Affordable drinking water is sold everywhere.
Weekends and holidays

January 1 - New Year

April 23 - Independence Day and Children

May 19 - Day of Youth and Sports, the Ataturk Memorial Day

August 30 - Day of Victory over the Greek army

October 29 - Proclamation of the Republic

November 10 at 9.05 - the whole country is a moment of silence honored the memory of Kemal Ataturk other holidays are celebrated according to the Islamic lunar calendar, so it varies from year to year.
Main Attractions

Holidays in Turkey attracts landscaped Mediterranean beaches, a high level of service guests at relatively low prices.

Turkey is rich in monuments left by ancient civilizations. Heart of Turkey - Istanbul, a city of many millions of people. Here is the border of Europe and Asia. The city is located on the shores of the Bosphorus, on two continents. In Istanbul, tourists are attracted primarily based in the VI century Sofia Cathedral and the famous Blue Mosque. Here is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, the largest market in the world (with an area of 5 hectares, 65 streets, 4500 shops and stalls) where you can buy everything - from handicrafts to computers and technology. Historical monuments are available to those who chose to stay Mediterranean coast, where the most prestigious resorts.

Tourism is considered the capital of the Turkish Mediterranean Antalya. Antalya neighborhood known for pristine beaches and luxurious five-star hotels. You can swim in Antalya from March through November. On the streets of Antalya - an abundance of bars and restaurants, supermarkets and shops. In Antalya many ancient monuments, including symbol of Antalya - a minaret, built by the Turks - in the eleventh century, the Seljuk attract attention waterfalls and karst reservoirs, located in the mountains near Antalya.

At 41 km from Antalya Kemer is located, is gaining popularity among tourists. Not far from Kemer - the ruins of the ancient port city of Phaselis, where Alexander the Great was buried prepolozhitelno.

Attract tourists resort of Side, Antalya, Alanya (one of the most ancient cities of the Turkish Riviera, which is based in the IV. BC)

An important tourist region for recreation is the Aegean Sea (here is almost never a strong surf.) The largest city on the Aegean coast - Izmir, the third largest city in the country home of Homer. The main resorts on the Aegean Sea - Kusadasi and Marmaris.