GENERAL INFORMATION

Turkey is located mainly in Asia Minor and the Armenian Highlands, as well as on the Balkan Peninsula between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The country is located at the crossroads of important routes connecting Europe and Asia since ancient times. Today, railways and highways pass through Turkey, connecting Europe with many Asian countries.

Turkey borders on Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Greece. The country is washed by three seas: Black, Aegean and Mediterranean.

In the central part of Turkey, the climate is temperate continental, summers are hot and dry, winters, on the contrary, are quite cold and snowy.

On the coast of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, the climate is subtropical Mediterranean, winters are milder. The Black Sea coast has a temperate maritime climate, with a lot of precipitation, moderately cool winters and warm summers. In the southeast of the country, the climate is subtropical with hot summers and low humidity.

The hottest months in Turkey are traditionally July and August, at which time the air temperature can reach +28 °C.

The beach season on the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea lasts from April to October, and on the Black Sea - from June to early September.

The Turkish economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Turkey ranks 21st in terms of nominal GDP and 11th in the world in terms of GDP calculated at purchasing power parity. Agriculture is developed in the country, the production of textiles, automobiles, ships, building materials and household appliances has been established. The largest contribution to the economy is made by the service sector (58%), industry is second (33%), and agriculture is third (9%).

An increasingly significant contribution to the country's economy is made by the tourism sector, especially in recent decades. About 2 million local people are employed in the tourism sector. In the list of the most popular tourist destinations, Turkey ranks sixth.

Turkey is a tourist-oriented country. Therefore, special attention is paid to the development of infrastructure. A developed network of public transport allows you to comfortably move within the country. There are 21 airports in Turkey, eight airports are international, two of which are in Istanbul. Airports are equipped with everything necessary for tourists and visitors. Also in Turkey, since 1927, the railway has been actively developing.

The length of railway tracks is more than 12 thousand kilometers. The total length of high-speed lines is more than 600 kilometers. The speed of the train on such lines reaches 300 km/h.

The UNESCO World Heritage List includes 19 sites located in Turkey, which is 1.5% of the total.

The list of Turkish attractions is very diverse: national parks, mosques, the remains of ancient Greek and Roman cities (including the famous Troy), architecture of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. And also Turkey ranks second in Europe and seventh in the world in terms of the number of thermal springs - there are about 1300 of them in the country.

You should definitely visit such iconic places as the ancient cities of Ephesus and Side, and, of course, Troy, as well as the Cappadocia region, known to many for postcard views with hot air balloons soaring in the sky. 

The famous place of Pamukkale - a geothermal resort with a natural pool - attracts many visitors who want to heal or just improve the body.

The amazing natural attraction Green Canyon is an artificial reservoir with green water, located between Antalya and Alanya.Istanbul (former Constantinople) is a city with an ancient history and a unique atmosphere. Mosques, museums, markets, streets of Istanbul fall in love with tourists once and for all. A mixture of European and Oriental cultures, the contrast of Istanbul luxury and slums, the special flavor of the city.

Its unique history, which began its countdown in 660 BC - this is what many people come back to Istanbul for.

Turkey is a country of the East, but it is important to note that this is not a Muslim, but a secular state. It is the only Islamic country in the world that follows the laws of the Constitution. The main religions in Turkey are Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

The official language in the country is, of course, Turkish. However, in large cities, you can easily communicate in English. However, if you try, albeit with mistakes, to speak Turkish, the local population will appreciate it.

Turks are famous for their hospitality. The attitude towards visitors and tourists here is very positive. Surprisingly, with the development of tourist flows, the Turks have not lost their cordiality; on the contrary, they are sincerely happy to help and communicate with foreign guests.

The inhabitants of Turkey lead a measured way of life, without haste and everyday race. The culture of Turkey is closely connected with family ties and customs. The family is the most important postulate in the life of the Turks.

Warm climate, the presence of thermal springs and taking care of your health have a positive impact on the life expectancy of the local population. Thus, in 2020, the life expectancy of the average resident of Turkey was 77.4 years.

Higher education for foreigners in Turkey is paid. However, most often the payment is symbolic - from 500 to 1000 Turkish liras (30-60 euros) per year of study. The exception is medical education - the cost of one year of study is approximately 10 thousand lire (about 600 euros).

In order to enter a university, you need to have a certificate of secondary education. You can choose to study at a technical school or a bachelor's degree. Studying at a technical school will take two years, and at a bachelor's degree - four. If the visitor chooses a medical specialty, the initial training will take about six years.