Turkey is a bridge between Asia and Europe. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara and he Black Sea. Turkey also borders Greece, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, Russia, and Georgia.
The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have very hot and dry summers, and wet, mild winters when the coastal towns more or less shut down between October and April. Winter in Istanbul and Cappadocia can be very cold with a dusting of snow. The peak tourist season is during high summer, roughly between July and September. From June the mosquitoes can be a problem. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, as the climate is still hot, but not unbearable. Eastern Turkey should be visited during summer as roads and mountain passes may close due to winter ice and snow.
Turkey is a lower middle-income country comes under the Europe and Central Asian region, according to the classification of economies by region and income made by the World Bank FY 2005. The life expectancy at birth years of the country as of 2004 is calculated at 69.9 in the year 2004. Infant mortality rate per one thousand life births in the country has reached 28.3 in the same year. Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that still accounts for more than 35% of employment. Agriculture products are tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulse, citrus; livestock. Major industries are textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper. 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. 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. The economy turned around with the implementation of economic reforms, and 2004 GDP growth reached 9%, followed by roughly 5% annual growth from 2005-07. Due to global contractions, annual growth is estimated to have fallen to 3.5% in 2008. Economic fundamentals are sound, marked by moderate economic growth and foreign direct investment. Nevertheless, the Turkish economy may be faced with more negative economic indicators in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown. In addition, Turkey's high current account deficit leaves the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Main partners are Germany, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Spain, China.
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. Bursa is the center of Turkey's automobile industry. Factories of motor vehicle producers like FIAT and Renault, as well as automotive components and spare parts producers like Bosch have been active in the city for decades. Adana is the gateway to the Cilician plain, now known as the Cukurova plain, the large stretch of flat and fertile land which lies to the south-east of the Taurus Mountains. This is possibly the most productive area in this part of the world. Izmir, historically Smyrna, is Turkey's third most populous city and the country's largest port after Istanbul. Modern-day Eskisehir is one of Turkey's foremost industrial cities. Diyarbakır is known for rich dishes of lamb (and lamb's liver, kidneys etc.); spices such as black pepper, sumac and coriander; rice, bulgur and butter. Denizli also attracts many visitors to the nearby mineral-coated hillside hot spring of Pamukkale, and the ancient ruined city of Hierapolis, as well as ruins of the city of Laodicea on the Lycus, the ancient metropolis of Phrygia. Kahramanmaras is one of the biggest textile industry cities of Turkey. Corum is primarily known for its Phyrgian and Hittite archaeological sites, its thermal springs, and its native dried chick-pea snacks known nationally as leblebi.
The Turkish language belongs to the Ural-Altaic, goup and has an affinity with the Finno-Hungarian languages. Turkish is written with the Latin alpabet and spoken by some 150 million people around the world. Although Turkey is 99% Moslem, it is a secular state that Guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Moslems.
The Turkish Republic is based on a secular, democratic, pluralistic and parliamentary system where human rights are protected by law and social justice. The National Assembly is elected by popular vote and the nation is governed by the Counci of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
The oldest and biggest enclosed bazaar in the world, also known as the Grand Bazaar, is one of the most enticing and mesmerizing attractions in Istanbul. The Goreme Open-Air Museum is the most visited of the monastic communities in Cappadocia and is one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. It is a complex comprising more than 30 rock-hewn churches and chapels containing some superb frescoes, dating from the 9th to the 11th centuries.
Turkish cuisine is one of the richest cuisines in the world. The Turkish diet consists primarily of grains and vegetables where meat is used as a flavor adder for most traditional Turkish dishes. Fish is also a big part of the Turkish staple especially in coastal cities. The most recognized Turkish foods are Shish Kebab, Lamb Chops, Imam Bayildi (Mousakka), Baklava, Bulger Pilaf, and Yogurt. |
Turkey
