This country has always been the dividing line between East and West. The Persian king Xerxes, the Greeks and the Romans, as well as Alexander the Great waged war in this land that was and is called „Asia Minor“. It was here that Caesar spoke his famous words:
"Veni, vidi, vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered).
With its long history
and magnificent lands, Turkey is a real treasure trove whose riches will
spill out before your very eyes. The country is a paradise of sun, sea,
lakes and mountains. Anyone who wants to enjoy life here must be
prepared to change his way of life and to leave his hectic lifestyle
behind in Europe. If you are generous and understanding, you will simply
laugh away the little things and allow the country’s fascination to work
its effect on you. Enjoy the four seasons in this wonderful country
between Europe and Asia.
Turkey through
the ages
Turkey is the only
country in the world to be spread over two continents (4% of the
landmass and half of Istanbul lies in Europe, the rest is in Asia).
There are around 1,500 archaeological excavation sites, 3 natural
wonders (the first is Pamukkale; the second Peri Bacalri, Fairy
Wonderland in Ürgüp- Cappadocia; the third is the Paradise-Hell Cave
(Cennet – Cehennem Maðarasý) in Mersin) and a man-made wonder of the
world (Sümela Manastir; a Christian monastery in Trabzon) to be seen and
to be wondered at.
The changes came about because of the toppling of the Caliphate in 1922
by Kemal Atatürk, the father of the Turks. He brought about many changes
and reforms in the country. He did away with the difficult Arabic
alphabet and replaced it with the Latin one. He introduced compulsory
attendance at schools and banned the fez (the male head covering). Women
no longer had to wear the veil, were awarded political rights and female
equality was guaranteed. Name giving was also reformed. Since 1934,
surnames have been in existence.
The death of Kemal Atatürk in 1938 dealt a severe blow to Turkey.
Atatürk is still highly revered today, not only because he gave Turks a
new life, but also a new image in the eyes of the world. For this reason,
there is an Atatürk Monument in every town and city. Despite
Westernisation, Turkey is and will remain an Islamic country. The
proverbial friendliness has its root in the old traditions and should be
accepted all over by you. Everyone, who comes into close contact with
Turks will value their worth, their pride and their unbelievable talent
for improvisation as number one in the world.
Turkey is like an " Open Sesame" and is a country where you are quickly
made to feel at home.
| Name: | Republic of Turkey; Türkiye Cumhuriyeti |
| Area: | 814.578 km² |
| Land borders: | Europe – Greece and Bulgaria, Asia – Syria, Iran, Iraq, Armenia and Georgia |
| Sea borders: | Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas |
| Capital: | Ankara |
| Form of government: | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Climate: | Mediterranean climate on South and West, continental climate in interior |
| Population: | approx. 67.8 million |
| Households: | 11,188,636 |
| Population growth: | 1,8 % |
| Administrative units | 81 Provinces, 892 Districts |
| Degree of urbanisation: | Approx. 60 % |
| Economic centres: | Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Bursa |
| Number of industrial companies: | 11,206 |
| Official language: | Turkish |
| Business languages: | German, English, French |
| Religion: | 99% Islam |
| Flight time: | From Western Europe: 3-4 hours |
| Time difference: | 1-2 hours with Western Europe |
| Number of hospitals: | 961 |
| Number of doctors | 50,639 |
| Currency unit: | TL = Turkish Lira € 1.00 = TL 1,800,000 (May. 2004) € 1.00 = TL 1,460,000 (Oct. 2001) € 1.00 = TL 590,000 (Oct. 2000) € 1.00 = TL 506,000 (Oct. 1999) € 1.00 = TL 301,000 (Oct. 1998) € 1.00 = TL 175,000 (Oct. 1997) |
| 10,000,000 TL notes have been
issued since 5/11/1999. On 5/11/1999 the 10,000,000 TL note was worth € 19.50 20,000,000 TL notes has been issued since 5/11/2001. On 5/11/2001 the 20,000,000 TL note was worth € 14.00 |
|
Religious holidays; The fasting month of " Ramazan" (Ramadan) lasts for 30 days and changes varies within 12-13 days each year. In 2002 Ramazan begins on 06.11.02 and ends on 05.12.02. In 2003, Ramazan will begin on 27.10.2003 and end on 25.11.2003. Religious holidays are calculated according to the 354-day Islamic calendar. At the end of the month of fasting, there is the three day " Sugar Festival" (Seker Bayram) During this festival, you give "sweet sweets". Exactly 70 days after this is the "Great Sacrificing Festival" (Kurban Bayram). In 2002 the Kurban Bayram (Sacrificing Festival) took place from 22.02.2002 until 24.02.2002 Each family who can afford it financially slaughters a lamb, a goat or a cow. The meat of these slaughtered animals is given to the poor and destitute amongst the believers. State holidays; 1st January - New Year’s Day 23rd April - National Independence Day and Children’s Day 1st May – Spring Day 19th May – Youth and Sport Day 27th May – Commemoration Day 30th August – Commemoration Day of Victory in the 1922 Invasion 29th October – Republic Day |
Political System
The origin of today’s modern Turkey can be
traced to the struggle for independence in 1920 lead by Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk. Atatürk‘s most significant reforms were the devolution of the
church and state and the orientation towards the industrial countries of
the West.
The effects of this "Kemalism" can still be seen today both in the
values held by the population and in politics. Since 1946, Turkey has
been governed by a democratic multi-party system.
Ahmet Neçdet Sezer has been the President of the Turkish Republic since
May 2000. In the last parliamentary election on 3rd November 2002 the
AKP gained 34% of the votes cast. The position of prime minister is held
by Abdullah Gül (AKP). The Republic of Turkey is a socialist and
democratic state, which governs on the basis of peace, solidarity, law
and the observation of human rights, linked to Atatürk‘s nationalism.
Turkey is a member of NATO, the UN and the UN-Special organisations,
OECD, BIZ, WTO, IWF, Europarates, an associate member of the EU and a
leading member of the Black Sea Economic Union.
There has been a customs union in existence between the EU and Turkey
since 1st January 1996.
| Why Turkey? |
Today, it is not all
that unusual to own one’s own property in Turkey. More and more people
are looking for a safe alternative to the euro – owning property abroad.
There are many examples of the development of customer satisfaction.
Many Europeans have bought their dream home in the past few years and do
not regret it. The friendly people, the climate, the wonders of nature
added to the numerous leisure possibilities combine to make your stay an
agreeable one.
The elongated peninsula that is Turkey has over 7,200 Km of seacoast
from the Black Sea, through the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean to the
Mediterranean. It is a young and exciting country, that, despite the
huge influx of holiday tourists, is not only a holiday destination but
for years, has also been a country in which you can invest.
The Turkish State has made it very easy for foreigners to purchase
property. Property in this country stands comparison on the basis of
price and the low cost of living ensures that you can enjoy an excellent
standard of living.
The developments of recent years have improved the quality of Turkish
locations for production and trade enormously. Taxes and duties are much
lower in comparison with European countries. Turkey is still in a state
of development (construction land). Anyone who decides to own property
in Turkey at this moment in time, can count on some attractive yields.
There is a reciprocal tax agreement between most European countries and
Turkey, which has been in force since 1990, as well as a capital
protection contract- i.e. protection against expropriation