 |
 |
Welcome to Turkey
|
 |
  Situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, Turkey is a mountainous country that is largely in Asia but spans the Bosphorus straight to gain a toehold in Europe. The nation is one of the largest in Europe and is about the size of Britain and France combined. The population of Turkey is approximately 65 million. Anatolia - the landmass which forms the modern country - has acted as a bridge, across which swept successive tides of civilisations, from Hittites to the ancient Greeks, Persians and Romans. Later the area, and particularly the dazzling city of Constantinople, became the heart of the mighty Byzantine Empire. This breathtaking country can truly be described as the cradle of civilisation. The first known settlement in the world was found at Catalhoyuk dating back to an astonishing 6,500 BC. Two of the Seven Wonders of the World are in Turkey: The Artemis Temple in Efes and the Halikarnassos Mausoleum in Bodrum. In Turkey, there is a wealth of tasty meat dishes, vegetables and seafood and a dazzling array of interesting starters, known as meze. These can be enjoyed in laid-back waterside restaurants, washed down with the refreshing local spirit, raki or a bottle of Turkish wine. Istanbul is Turkey’s largest and most famous city, but Turkey’s capital is Ankara. From April to October most places in Turkey have an ideal climate that is perfect for relaxing on sandy beaches or enjoying the tranquility of mountains and lakes. The winter months are from November to February. An abundance of fresh, natural produce has given rise to a rich national cuisine of which the well-known kebab is only a small part. Tourist developments have been explosive along the coast over last 15 years. Quaint little fishing towns of yesteryear like Didim (Didyma) are now large, sprawling resorts. However, once you get away from these coastal resorts and the country’s main cities, life continues in a very traditional way. One of the main attractions of Turkey is the wonderful climate. Like most areas of the Mediterranean, Turkey has over 300 sunny days a year, and with over 1500km of Mediterranean coastline. It is the perfect place to enjoy long, lazy days on the beach. In the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, the summers are hot and dry and the winters are short, warm and mild, with most rainfall from November to February. As the summer temperature is around 86-105 F (30-40 C) and usually above 50 F in the winter, you can comfortably swim and sail in turquoise coloured waters for at least six months of the year. The Turkish healthcare system is being reorganised to create a sickness insurance service that covers all citizens. Well-trained doctors and dentists can be found in all of the country’s major hospitals and, in addition, there are also a number of foreign-operated hospitals. Turkey’s education system was restructured in 1997 to meet needs of its thriving and rapidly developing population. To cater to the needs of many foreign residents who are now living in Turkey, a number of international schools have opened where English is spoken. |
||
 |
