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Travel to Turkey
Turkey is one of the best-kept holiday secrets in the travel business. Europeans have spent their holidays here for many years, taking advantage of the unbelievably low prices for travel services that can be had. Yet among many people, Turkey is probably one of the most misunderstood countries on Earth. It is common for travelers arriving in Turkey to be surprised at the number of misconceptions they had about Turkey.
Capital: Ankara
Location: Turkey is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in Southwestern Asia and the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey borders eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Iran and the Nakhichevan exclave of Azerbaijan to the east, and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. In addition, it borders the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Turkey also contains the Sea of Marmara that is used by geographers to mark the border between Europe and Asia, thus making the country transcontinental.
Climate: Temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior. 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.
Terrain: High central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges. Turkey is a mountainous country with an average altitude of 1132 meters. The mountain range in the north and south are separated by large plains in Central Anatolia. The coastline is 8333 kilometers long.
Language: Turkish
Currency: New Turkish Lira (TRY)
Time zone: GMT +2
Internet TLD: .tr
Calling code: +90
Do you dive? Like to paraglide? Hike? Shop? Swim? You name it, you can do it in Turkey, and spend a lot less doing it. There is some fantastic diving to be had there, some places are actually underwater museums where you can explore ruins non-divers will never see. You can take a balloon flight over Cappadocia and see this fantastic scene from above in the tranquility of its skies. The shopping offers some fantastic bargains on carpets, gold and jewelry, and hand-made crafts. If you just want to party and have the time of your life, visit the world's largest outdoor disco in Bodrum, the Halicarnus Disco. You can't help but have a good time, believe us, Bodrum and the other popular tourist destinations have no shortage of happening nightspots. If you're interested in a relaxing holiday on the beach, visit places like Fethiye or the many undeveloped, pristine beaches in Antalya. Anywhere you decide to go, there is a wonderful experience awaiting you, no matter how you would like to spend your holiday in Turkey.
Wherever visitors travel in Turkey they are assured a warm welcome. Turks have a strong tradition of hospitality and the words ‘Hos Geldiniz', which means literally ‘Your coming brings happiness', will ring often in a traveller's ears.
More facts about Turkey:
Turkey, country profile
Local Travel News:
Istanbul offers film feast 
Film buffs will be gearing up to head east for the 2007 Istanbul Film Festival, one of the world's leading film festival events.
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 Scuba diving in Turkey |
