Travel Information
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Founder
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Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
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National Anthem
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Istiklal Marşı
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Capital
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Language
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Turkish
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Government
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Parliamentary Republic
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President
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Abdullah Gül
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Prime Minister
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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
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Surface Area
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779.452 sq km
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Population
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~75 million
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Longest River
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Kızılırmak 1355 km
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Highest Mountain
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Mt Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) 5137 m
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Main Cities
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TL (Turkish Lira)
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Geographic Coordinates
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39 00 N, 35 00 E
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Time Zone
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GMT +2
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Electricity
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220 volts AC
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Abbreviation
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TR
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ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code
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TUR
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Geographical Regions
| Turkey has 81 administrative provinces and seven geographical regions. The first four of the seven regions are given the names of the seas which are adjacent to them. | ||
| The other three regions are named in accordance with their location in the whole of Anatolia. | ||
VISAS
A passport is required of all visitors.US visitors can purchase a single entry 90-day sticker visa at
the port of entry for $20 cash.Canadian visitors can purchase a single entry 3 months sticker visa at the port of entry for $60 or £45
Visa Information For Foreigners
Visa Fees at Border Gates for 2009
Visas and Application Requirements
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Address: 2525 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N.W WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008
Telephone: 00 1 202 612 67 00 (9 HAT) 00 1 202 612 67 01
Fax: 00 1 202 612 67 44
http://washington.emb.mfa.gov.tr
Address: 197 WURTEMBURG STEET OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1N 8L9 CANADA
Telephone: 00 1 613 789 40 44 – 789 34 40
Fax: 00 1 613 789 34 42
http://ottawa.emb.mfa.gov.tr
Turkish Missions in Your Country
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USEFUL NUMBERS
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| Directory Assistance | 118 |
The international dialling code (to): 0090, The international dialling code (from) 00 + The related country code
A yellow PTT sign indicates the post offices. Central post offices are opened from 08.00 till 24.00. Others are opened till 17.00. Phone cards must be purchased to use at public telephones. |
| International Operator | 115 | |
| Collect Calls | 131 | |
| Emergency | 112 | |
| Fire | 110 | |
| Police | 155 | |
| Gendarme | 156 | |
Monday through Friday is the normal working week.
| Banks | 8:30a.m. – 12p.m. and 1:30p.m. – 5p.m |
| Shopping | 9a.m. – 20p.m |
| Public Offices | 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. and 1:30p.m. – 5p.m |
Visitors to Istanbul take note that the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market are both closed on Sunday. Museums and palaces are generally open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 5 or 5:30pm, while the closing day for palaces is Tuesday, Thursday,
or both. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to noon and 1:30 to 5pm. Government offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5:30pm.
TAX or KDV
Tax, or KDV, is included in stores and restaurants. Hotels sometimes quote room rates inclusive of tax and at other times rates are exclusive of tax. Check whether tax is included when asking for rates.
There are two types of holiday in Turkey: public holidays fall on the same day each year and religious holidays change according to the lunar calendar.
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (23 April)
The Sugar Holiday, or Şeker Bayramı, is celebrated at the end of Ramadan. During the Şeker Bayram, which typically lasts for three days, people indulge with sweets and candy and younger members of the family visit their elder relatives.
Kurban Bayramı
The Sacrifice Holiday, or Kurban Bayramı, is celebrated two months and 10 days after the eker Bayram has finished. This is Turkey’s longest holiday and celebrates the near-sacrifice by Abraham of his son, Ismail. In villages and traditional districts, rams, sheep and calves are sacrificed in gardens or on the street and a portion of the meat is given to the poor. Every devout household who can afford to do so should buy an animal to be donated.
Seat belts are compulsory, and the driving age is 18. Helmets are compulsory for motorcycles; motoring offenses result in an on-the-spot fine.
WATER
Tap water is potable but bottled water is advisable as tap water is highly chlorinated,taste is a little unnatural.
