Turkey - Turquia

THE Turkey (in Turkish: Turkyye) is a country located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the northern part of the Middle East, in the Anatolia region of West Asia, with a small part in southeastern Europe, the European and Asian parts being separated by the Turkish Straits (Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, and Dardanelles). With the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the southwest, Turkey shares a land border with Bulgaria and Greece to the west, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the northeast, and Syria, Iraq and Iran to the southeast.

Regions

Geographically, Turkey can be divided into 7 regions:

• Akdeniz - the Mediterranean region, in the south of the country, where the spa of Antalya

• Central Anatolia (Ic Anadolu) - , where the capital of the country and the historical region of Cappadocia
• eastern anatolia (Dogu Anadolu)
• Southeast Anatolia (Guney Dogu Anadolu)
• Aegean - Aegean region, whose main city is izmir
• Karadeniz - Black Sea region
• Marmara, Istanbul region, includes the European part of Turkey

Administratively, Turkey is divided into 81 provinces (il) whose names follow those of their capitals.

Cities

• Ankara (Ancyra, Angora) - the capital of Turkey has a museum of prehistoric civilizations and the mausoleum of Atatürk, the statesman who reformed the country at the beginning of the century. XX
• Antakya (Antioch, Antiocheia ad Orontes) - city with great historical importance for Christianity, as it was one of the first and most important centers of this religion and the place where the followers of Jesus were called Christians for the first time.
• Adana - The fifth largest city in Turkey
• bodrum (Halicarnassus) - A popular seaside resort on the Aegean coast
• Edirne (Adrianople) - Historic city near the border with Bulgaria and Greece, was capital of the Ottoman Empire
• Istanbul (Constantinople) - Turkey's largest city is a vibrant metropolis with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia
• Konya (Ikonion) - Former capital of the Seljuk Empire and cradle of the whirling dervish sect
• Gaziantep (Anti-oiling ad Taurum) - Along the border with the Syria and at the entrance of the Kurdistan

Other destinations

• Cappadocia - a region of lunar landscapes, rocks and caves that served as a shelter for ancient Christians
• pamukkale and its petrified waterfalls

Understand

There is evidence that the Black Sea bed was once an inhabited plain, before being flooded in prehistoric times by rising sea levels. The biblical flood could be an account of the event. Mount Ararat (Agri Dağı), at 5,165 m, is the highest point in the country, while the landing site of the legendary Noah's Ark lies in the mountains east of the country's far end. Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon after, the country instituted laws to replace the traditional secular religious decree. In 1945, Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. Turkey offers a wealth of destination varieties for travellers: from the domes and minarets overlooking the Istanbul skyline, to Roman ruins along the west and south coast, to the mountainous backdrop of Lycia and the sun-kissed beaches of Antalya Province, or the cold and snowy mountains of the East. There are parts of Bodrum to the east with the flavor of Anatolian cities, green misty mountains and the steppe landscape of Central Anatolia, there is something for everyone whether you are traveling on a tight budget or on a million dollar yacht.

• Ankara - the capital of Turkey and its second largest city.
• Antalya - the fastest growing city. The center of a variety of beach resorts.
• Bodrum - a trendy coastal town on the southern Aegean Sea that transforms into a crowded city in season, when it serves as a playground for international and Turkish tourists, with a fortress, Roman ruins, trendy nightclubs and a host of villages in around the peninsula of each with a different character from classic to rustic
• Edirne - the second capital of the Ottoman Empire.
• Istanbul - Turkey's largest city, the former capital of both Ottoman and Byzantine empires, and the only city in the world to span two continents.
• Izmir - Turkey's third largest city.
• Konya - a very large city that is the heart of the mystical Sufi order, the site of Rumi's tomb, and with some Seljuks, elegant architecture, all surrounded by vast steppes.
• Sinop - an ancient city fortress and port on the northern tip of Anatolia.
• Trabzon - the wonderful Sumela Monastery is just outside the city and is a great gateway to exploring North East Turkey.

History

Turkey has been inhabited since very ancient times. Around 7500 BC there were already cities in Anatolia, including Catal Huyuk, close to the current Konya, which disputes the title of oldest city in the world. Some objects from this era can be found in the Museum of Civilizations in Ankara.

Key Events in Turkish History:

• Around 2500 BC - Rise of the Hittite empire, which prevailed until the century. XII BC
• From 1200 BC - domain of the Phrygians, Lydians and others
• 547 BC - Arrival of the Persians. Flowering of Greek culture in the Ionian cities (ephesus, Miletus, izmir etc.)
• 334 BC - Alexander the Great crosses the Strait of Dardanelles. After his death, in the following decade, several kingdoms were formed, among which the one of pergamum
• Circa 190 BC - Conquest roman. In 129 BC, the province of Asia is established, with its capital at Ephesus
• 3rd century - With the decline of the Western Roman Empire, Constantine founds a great city (Istanbul) on the site of the Greek Byzantium.
• 6th century - The Byzantine Empire flourished under the command of Justinian, who founded the basilica of Santa Sofia, which became the most splendid Christian time for 1000 years
• 7th century - Emergence of Islam in Arabia and its rapid expansion
• 11th century - Coming from Persia, the Seljuk Turks formed an empire based in the city of Iznik and then in Konya. Order of Whirling Dervishes founded.
• Crusades
• 13th century - Foundation of the Ottoman Empire. Taking of Constantinople (1453)
• 1923 - Foundation of the Turkish Republic. Start of Atatürk Reforms
• 2005 - Official start of negotiations for Turkey's accession to the European Union.

Climate

The climate in Turkey has a great diversity depending on the diverse topography and latitude. Aegean, Mediterranean and coastal areas enjoy the typical Mediterranean climate. Hardly a drop of rain is found during the sunny and hot summer (May-October). Winters are mild and rainy in these regions, and it very rarely snows on the coast, with the exception of the mountainous areas above 2000 meters in these regions, which are very snowy and are often not passable. The water temperature of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is warm during the long summer (May to October), which constitutes the swimming season and fluctuates between 23° and 28°C, from north to south. The region around the Sea of ​​Marmara, including Istanbul, has a transitional climate between an oceanic climate and a semi-Mediterranean climate, but it rains, though not too much, during the very hot summer (like the showers that tend to last for 15 -30). minutes). Winters are cooler than those on the west and south coasts. Snow is common in coastal areas, though it doesn't stay on the ground very long and is limited to just a few days each winter. The water temperature in the Marmara Sea is also cooler than the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with the water temperature only reaching between 20° and 24°C during the summer (June, July and August) and the swimming season is limited to summer month. The Black Sea region has an oceanic climate (thanks to the protective effect of the Caucasus Mountains) with the highest amount of rainfall and is the only region in Turkey that receives high rainfall throughout the year. The eastern part of the coast averages 2.5 thousand millimeters per year, which is the highest rainfall in the country. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold and humid. Snow is common in coastal areas, although it doesn't stay on the ground very long and is limited to just a few days of winter every day, although the mountains are very snowy as you would expect them to be, and are often not passable, there are glaciers around the year in highlands. The water temperature across the Turkish Black Sea coast is always cool and fluctuates between 10° and 20°C throughout the year, and it is even less suitable for swimming during the summer than in the Marmara Sea. Most coastal areas have a high level of relative humidity for most of the year, which makes the warmer weather feel warmer and cooler weather feels colder than it actually is. Indoor areas like Ankara generally have hot summers (though nights chilly enough to make someone wearing only a thin outdoor t-shirt uncomfortable) and cold, snowy winters. The most eastern location is, the cold and winters are heavier than the snow is. The northeast part (around Erzurum and Kars) is the only area that has cool inland and rainy summers. The southeast region, near the Syrian border, has a desert like climate, the temperature is often above 40°C during rainless summers. There is occasional snowfall in winter.

Time zone

All of Turkey is in the UTC 2 time zone. The country adopts daylight saving time, normally from the end of March to the end of October, when the official time is UTC 3.

Holidays

religious holidays are furniture, as they follow the lunar calendar. The most important are:

• Seker Bayrami - equivalent to the Arabic Eid al Fitr, signals the end of Ramadan, month of fasting. 10/23 to 10/25/2006, from 10/12 to 14/10/2007 and from 30/09 to 2/10/2008.
• Kurban Bayrami - equivalent to the Arab Eid al Adha, the feast of sacrifice. From 31/12/2006 to 3/1/2007, from 20 to 23/12/2007 and from 8 to 11/12/2008.

The holidays fixed are:

• January 1st: New Year
• April 23: Independence and Children's Day
• May 19: Atatürk Day and Youth Festival
• August 30: Festa da Vitória - celebrates victory over invading forces in 1922
• October 29: Republic Day

Although it is not a Turkish holiday, on April 25th the australians and New Zealanders remember the Anzac Day. On that same date, in 1915, troops from those countries landed in Gallipoli with the aim of conquering Constantinople (Istanbul) and were defeated. Every year, thousands of people travel to Turkey to participate in the religious service in honor of those killed in that war. As a result of the increased tourist flow, it is recommended to book accommodation and tours in advance.

To arrive

Since July 2004, Brazilian citizens do not need to obtain a visa to Turkey for stays of up to 90 days on business and tourism trips. Visitors from Portugal can obtain an entry visa upon arrival in the country, upon payment of a fee of 15 euros. Passport holders from the countries of the Africa Portuguese speakers require a visa. Citizens of other countries can check the Turkish Ministry page responsible for details.

By airplane

The main gateway for international flights is Istanbul International Airport. The airport Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) has been increasingly used by low-cost airlines. It is 30km from Istanbul.

Ankara and Antalya they are less busy but receive some important flights.

Among the airlines that operate flights from Europe to Turkey are: AtlasJet, Fly Air, Onur Air, in addition to the economy Easyjet and Germanwings.

Of boat

There is ferries connecting Turkey to several other countries such as Greece and Italy. THE Marmara Lines operates regular lines from the Italian cities of Ancona and toast to the Turkish port of çeşme. from greek islands like Rhodes, there are also frequent connections with Turkey, especially to the city of bodrum

By car

To enter Turkey by car you need the Green card of international insurance. The symbol TR it must not be marked, ie the card must be valid for Turkey. Otherwise, you will need to purchase a Turkish insurance policy at the border. Confirm that your insurance is also valid for occurrences on the Asian side of the country.

By bus

There are many bus lines between major European cities and Turkey. They usually arrive in the country via Greece or Italy (via ferry) and are relatively cheap, as well as much faster and more comfortable than trains.

Companies that operate international lines include the balcony (from/to Greece and Austria) and the ulusoy.

By train

the golden times of Orient Express have passed and today train access to Turkey suffers from slowness and competition from modern buses and cheap flights. Still, it is possible to reach the country by train. From Europe, Istanbul is reached by Belgrade (23 hours of travel), Bucharest (20 hours) and Thessaloniki (15 hours), from where it is possible to change trains to other parts of the continent.

The main connections with countries in the Middle East come from Syria and Iran. tehran Ankara can take around 60 hours.

The company of Turkish Railways is the national rail transport authority.

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Turkey is a large country, stretching over 1500km from east to west, and it's worth taking these dimensions into account when planning how to get around the country.

By airplane

The most important cities are served by airports and, over longer distances, the prices and comfort of flying can compensate compared to buses. The biggest Turkish airline is Türk Hava Yolları (Turkish Airlines), which flies to all regions of the country. Its main competitor is the Onur Air, which has lower rates. Other low-cost companies include Turkish-German Sun Express, Atlas Jet and fly air, which also sells tickets at post offices connected to the Internet.

Some locations do not have daily flights to Ankara or Istanbul. Tickets can usually be purchased over the Internet, at the airport's domestic terminal or at the airline's own stores.

On any trip, also consider the value of transport from the airport to the city as it can significantly increase the cost of your journey.

Of boat

You hizli feribot they are catamaran-style vessels that connect various cities, such as Istanbul with the other side of the Marmara Sea. They are quite fast (50-60 km/h) and can greatly reduce travel times. For example, departing from the Yeni Kapi pier in Istanbul (just southwest of the Blue Mosque), you can reach the otogar (bus station) of bursa in two hours, less than one hour being dedicated to the sea voyage to Yalova. Similar services operate linking various parts of Istanbul to the Asian side or to places higher up on the Bosphorus. The presence of this type of fast vessel has spread throughout the country, wherever you can sail.

By car

The minimum age to drive is 21 years and it is necessary to carry, in addition to the passport, the international driving permit, the car documents (if not in the driver's name, a power of attorney is required) and the insurance policy (green card) with the TR symbol visible. For those coming from the Middle East, you must also have the call ticket ("Carnet de passage"). Vehicles can remain in the country for up to 6 months.

Circulation rules are quite similar to those in Brazil and Europe, but they are often disregarded by locals. It is not uncommon to see sudden lane changes and, in cities, 4 rows of cars stopped at a traffic light with only 2 lanes. Short horn alerts are frequent and only serve to warn other drivers that someone is there. The speed limits are 50 km/h on the urban perimeter and 90 km/h on roads. Seat belt use is mandatory for the driver and all passengers.

The highways, in general, are paved, well maintained and served by gas stations and restaurants. Signage, however, is not frequent, lighting is poor and the number of accidents is high. In the interior of the country, it is common to have to share the roads with the local population, carts and other slow and unlit vehicles, which increases the risk of accidents at night.

For those who prefer to rent a car, there are offices of the main rental companies at airports and in the most important cities.

By taxi

They are required to use the taximeter. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped - if convenient, round up.

In dolmush

Dolmush were originally shared taxis, but today there are few of those left in some cities. The most common are vans (vans, minibuses) that operate on fixed routes and charge according to the distance you will travel. Inform the driver of your destination and pass the money on with the help of other passengers, who may ask for the same from you. When getting off, alert the driver to stop.

By bus

Turkey has an excellent intercity bus network. The buses are comfortable, have air conditioning, reserved seats and, in general, good services, especially in large companies.

THE otogar (bus station) from major cities have buses leaving frequently to virtually any destination. In addition to the driver, buses have “stewards”. On longer journeys, a second driver takes over when the first driver gets tired. During the trip, free drinks, snacks are offered and stops are made approximately every two and a half hours at good restaurants along the roads.

The further east in the country, the less frequent buses become, but even more remote places like Dogubeyazit or Van they have lines to locations hundreds of kilometers away. A village has to be really small to not have a bus to Istanbul or Izmir at least once every other day.

Finding the right bus may require help. Persons in charge of providing the services are always present and can help with the purchase of a ticket, but beware: sometimes there is only one line to the desired destination, but on some occasions you may end up sitting while other buses to the same location depart while you expect. So, if you have time available, check the arrivals and departures schedule of other companies. You can also say that you need to leave immediately (use the words "hemen" or "shimdy", or the expression "adjelem var" – I'm in a hurry), and people will understand that you need to leave soon.

In case there are several companies operating to the same location, find out the size of the buses that run along the line. Generally, larger ones are more comfortable and some lines even put uncomfortable vans (dolmus) operating on these lines. Another tip is to compare the size of the signs – usually companies with more buses and routes also have the biggest signs. Don't be surprised if, on your way to some strange and farther destination, you have to get off the bus, pick up your luggage and be transferred to another bus, which can happen even on “direct” or “express” routes. In these cases, the other bus will “buy” you and take you to your destination.

Sometimes long-distance buses will drop you off at a ring road near a city instead of taking you downtown, so be sure to ask if your final destination is in the city centre. On the other hand, many companies have "arac servis", vehicles that take them downtown when Otogar is on the outskirts of a city, which is often the case nowadays. In cities like Ankara these vehicles are shared by several companies, and a fleet of them, departing for the various parts of the city, will be waiting. It would be helpful to keep your ticket handy to prove you were on a bus (most of these services operate, however, on a good faith basis).

Seating inside buses is determined, in part, by "koltuk Numarası" - the seat number on your ticket - and in part by the custom of seating women, couples, and so on. Don't be angry, therefore, if you are asked to change places. Generally, as a foreigner, you will have the best seats.

A tip: although the last row of seats may be reserved for the reserve driver to sleep in, it's usually best to take a seat in the back, whatever your koltuk's number, and so not be disturbed for most of the journey. This is especially useful when traveling alone and wanting to stay that way.

By train

Turkey has an extensive rail network. Although tickets are cheap, trains are extremely slow and usually no match for the country's comfortable buses and newcomer low-cost airlines.

Speak

The official language is Turkish, which uses the Latin alphabet phonetically, with some modifications. O Kurdish is also spoken in certain areas. O German is popular as a second language and many young people have some knowledge of English.

THE sign language it is always very useful and sometimes more effective than words. To say "no", Turks simply tilt their heads back by looking up and clicking their tongues lightly. To say "yes", they lower their heads and eyes.

Buy

Costs in Turkey are generally much cheaper than European standards and often even Brazilian prices.

The Turks are a people with a merchant soul and, in general, excellent negotiators. Therefore, except in the case of fixed prices, the watchword is haggling. This form of negotiation is part of the local buying and selling culture and can cause strangeness/strangeness to travelers who are not used to it (and who often leave paying more than they should!). Sellers' insistence can also be irritating at times. Still, it is possible to make excellent purchases all over the country.

Local Products

• Carpets - There are four main types, all handmade: o kilim, O cicin (pronounced jidjim), O sumak it's the ha;
• Leather - the city of Malatya is a major producer of leather goods;
• Ceramics - Those produced in Advances and Kütahya they are interesting and use old Ottoman motifs;
• Musical instruments typical
• hookah
• Antiques - It is important to note that, in order to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, the Turkish authorities do not allow objects, especially archaeological ones, that are more than 100 years old to leave the country.

With the

Turkish cuisine is excellent and, except for vegetarians, it has a huge amount of mouth-watering dishes. According to Islamic precepts, the consumption of pork is prohibited.

O breakfast/ breakfast (kahvaltı) served in hotels and guesthouses usually consists of a buffet containing bread, toast, cheese, ham, honey, olives, tea and coffee.

O borek Or the pool (said "potcha") savory stuffed with meat, cheese or potato, or the yes (sesame donuts) are sold from stalls and carts on the streets and consumed by many people in the morning.

Quick snacks include:

• Lahmacun - kind of pizza with meat topping
• pide, Turkish pizza, a flatbread with toppings that is served in specialized establishments called got lost.
• was, breaded seafood, common in coastal cities
• I kept - beef ravioli with yogurt sauce

The restaurants, in turn, serve more substantial hot dishes such as Kebap:

• Skenderkebap - meat on flatbread with spicy tomato sauce, yogurt and salad
• Kofte (Meatballs)
• šis (grilled meat)
• Cöp šis (of lamb)

Very popular are the months, starters that sometimes replace a full meal and are usually accompanied by the raki(see section Drink it, below)

The most common desserts include the baklava (sweet pastries, watered with honey), sutlaç (type of rice pudding) and the lokum, the Turkish delight consisting of sugary gummy candies.

drink and go out

• Coffee (kahve) - Turkish coffee is served in small cups and is strong and full-bodied. Be careful not to drink the beans that are at the bottom of the cup. O health kahve it is served neat. already the ekerli, orta şekerli it's the kok şekerli carry sugar.
• Tea (cay) is also very popular in the country and, when prepared by the locals, is strong. The apple tea (elma çayı) is a must.
• Ayran - a yogurt-based drink
• boza, a drink originating in Central Asia, is made from wheat, sugar and water. As it is fermented, it has a slightly alcoholic content. Its thick consistency and is consumed chilled. Vefa Bozacisi is Istanbul's best-known brand.
• Sahlep - another traditional drink, but hot. It is made from milk, orchid root and sugar and typically decorated with cinnamon. It is mostly consumed in winter and served in cafes and patisseries (pasta).

Alcoholic beverages

Although it is an Islamic country, alcoholic beverages are easily found throughout the country. However, getting drunk can cause serious recriminations. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages in public during the month of Ramadan at all costs.

• raki - an alcoholic beverage derived from grapes and with an anise flavor, similar to arak. It is considered the national drink of Turkey. It is usually served mixed with water and/or ice.
• Wine - the full-bodied wine from Cappadocia is aged in concrete barrels and has a distinctive flavor
• Ephes - the biggest national beer brand has a light flavor and is very popular.

Learn

Students usually need a special visa. There are study opportunities for both formal and informal education.

It is difficult to find classes in Portuguese. Many universities have classes in English and/or Turkish preparatory courses for students.

Work

Although many people work illegally, a work visa is required to be able to work legally in the country.

The most common opportunity for foreigners is to work in language education, especially English and, of course, native speakers of that language are most valued. Activities related to foreign trade also present many opportunities.

There are also internship programs, work during the holidays, service au pair (nanny) and volunteer opportunities.

Safety

Despite the history of earthquakes, terrorist attacks and the horrible (and false) image presented in the classic film the midnight express, Turkey is safer than many countries in Europe and the record of violent crimes is quite rare. Robbery is also not common and local authorities treat visitors with courtesy.

The officers wear navy blue clothing and caps.

respect

Women travelers should be aware of some issues peculiar to Islamic countries, especially with regard to harassment. A series of misunderstandings lead Turkish men to imagine Western women as "easy". While Turkish women know how to get rid of nuisance approaches more naturally (including maintaining a necessary level of formality), Western women, especially if traveling alone, can feel annoyed. Avoid looking Turkish men in the eye, don't smile at strangers and avoid going out at night in neighborhoods where there is prostitution (Beyazit and Aksaray in Istanbul, for example). Wearing a wedding band can also discourage some attempts. If necessary, join a group of Turkish women and ask for help.

Religion and local customs - Wear appropriate clothing and maintain proper behavior when visiting mosques. Do not imitate or make fun of the call to prayer repeated by muezzins. He/This has an important religious significance.

Atatürk - The ruler who revolutionized Turkish politics, customs and language is admired by almost everyone and Turks are not very tolerant of criticism of his image.

Health

although the Water be treated in some places, always drink bottled water (avoid ice).

Despite the occurrences of bird flu in the country, there is no immediate risk of contagion among humans. Do not go to places where there is contact with birds and faeces (farms, poultry markets, etc.) and only eat well cooked food. Also avoid dishes with shellfish sold outdoors, especially in Istanbul - they may have been washed with polluted water from the Bosphorus.

Although not mandatory, it is recommended to vaccine against diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and polio (usually already universally applied in other countries). Visitors heading to the coastal regions of Marmara or the Black Sea can take precautions against malaria. Those who will be staying for long periods in rural areas can be vaccinated against typhoid fever.

You medicines Essentials are widely found in the country and sold over the counter. Sunscreen and insect repellent can also be purchased in the country.

keep in touch

You cell phones / mobile phones use GSM technology. Access to the network is provided by three operators (oatmeal, Telsim and Turkcell - sites in Turkish and English). The coverage of the country is wide and the roaming, including data services, usually works without problems. International roaming, however, is not always automatic and it may be necessary to request the service from your operator before departing for Turkey.

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