A country of sun and history, Turkey is located where the continents making up the old world Asia, Africa and Europe are closest to each other and straddle the point where Europe and Asia meet.

Turkey is 814.578 sq. km in area.The European and Asian regions are seperated by the Bosphorus,the Sea of Marmara and the Canakkale Bogazi(Dardanelles). Anatolia is a high plateau rising progressively towards the east,broken up by the valleys of about 15 rivers.There are numerous lakes and some,such as like Van,are as large as inland seas.In the south,the Taurus Mountains sweep down almost to the narrow,fertile coastal plain.Turkey enjoys a variety of ranging from the temperature climate of the Black Sea region,to the continental climate of the interior,then,to the Mediterrenean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal regions.The coastline touching the four seas that border the country is 8.333 km in length.

Turkey has been called “the cradle of civilization” and by traveling through this historic land, tourist will discover exactly what is meant by this phrase.

Turkey has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal, who was a soldier and a great visionary, took the defeat of World War 1 and turned it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey on October 29, 1923. He led his country towards peace and stability that brought about tremendous economic growth and increasing modernization. Through decades of change and growth, Turkey still boasts growing success, living by Ataturk’s motto of “Peace at home, Peace in the World”...

On the general basis, the population of Turkey is characterized by youth and dynamism. According to a 2000 population census, Turkey has 62.8 million inhabitants.

The official language is Turkish; English is widely spoken in Turkey. There are many high schools and universities where the curriculum is based on English, German and French are other commonly spoken foreign languages. Istanbul, which was the capital of three empires, is Turkey’s largest city. Ankara, the capital city, the next largest cities are Izmir, Antalya, Konya and Adana.

Approximately 99% of Turkish population is Moslem. However, everyone in Turkey has freedom of religion and beliefs. The first phases in the introduction of secularism were the abolition of the Caliphate and the ministry of Sheria and Pious Foundations on March 4th 1924, followed by the introduction of separate educational and judicial systems, the hat reform, the closure of dervish retreats and religious sects, the acceptance of a Sunday weekend holiday rather than the Moslem Friday and finally adoption of the principle of secularism in the constitution on 1937.

In secular Turkey, all religious affairs are carried out by a central government organization affiliated to the Prime Ministry, namely the Department of Religious Affairs.

The republic of Turkey is based on a secular, democratic, pluralistic and parliamentary system. The Grand National Assembly is elected by popular vote, and the nation is governed by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Turkey is a founding member of OECD, the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Organization, a member of NATO, The European Council, the Islamic Conference Association, and an associate member European Union.

Regarded as one of three most favorable cuisines in the world, Turkish cuisine has superiority when compared to the cuisine of France and China. Exceptional richness of the various meals ,methods of cooking, arrangement of the table, service and equipments used bring the richness in a way hat never fail to delight.