What You Need to Know About Turkey

A vast geographic portion, The Republic of Turkey is situated over the extreme southeastern Balkan Peninsula (Thrace), the high table lands of the Western Anatolian Plateau, and the Anatolian Peninsula. The territory is 97% on Asian soil and includes more than 767,000 square kilometers. Turkey is bordered on three sides by seas: Black Sea (to the north), Aegan Sea (to the West), and the Mediterranean Sea (to the south), and thus it is noted by Europeans as a perfect beachfront getaway for summer seasons. It is also completely engulfs a fourth sea, the Sea of Marmara, a sea traffic bridge between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. It is bordered in the west by the Hellenic Republic (Greece), and in the east by Syria, Iraq, Iran and the former Soviet Union republics. One of the unique features of the land is found in Istanbul, the Bosphorus, a waterway that adjoins the Sea of Marmara (and traffic from the Aegean Sea) to the Black Sea.

 The Population of the Turkish Republic is approaching 38 million people, of which about 75% live in rural areas. Although the vast majority of Turks are, in fact, Muslims, the countryis unique from reforms of Kemal Ataturk as a secular environment. This has allowed Turkey to open its ideals as a European community, but has added the common east-west struggle to everyday life of the modern Moslem Turk. Minorities includes Ottomans, Arab immigrants, Kurds, Circassians, Armenians and Lascars. The minority religious group of most significant presence is the Greek Orthodox Church. The language of the Turkish Republic is similar (though not related to) Finnish, Hungarian and Mongolian. The actual historic root of the language is likely Koranic Arabic (classical). A helpful note to visitors is to carefully observe the hand language of the modern Turk. A raised chin with closed eyes generally is a no! To invite you to come they may wave a hand on an up and down motion; or to refuse an offer for assistance politely, they may place their hand palm down against the chest. Popular pastimes include the kahve (coffeehouses), a great place to observe men smoking the nargile (hookahs) and playing tavla (backgammon). Another place of interest is the Turkish bath (hamam) that includes a sauna and rubdown. The tradition comes from the long-standing Islamic ideal of cleanliness.
 

One of the best ways to get aquatinted with a culture is to sample its unique cuisine, and in Turkey the cuisine is exceptional. It is customary to view over the back counter a selection before ordering in smaller restaurants, and to make the selection based on your tastes and their recommendations! Popular dishes include a variety of vegetarian delights; tarhana corbasi (tomato and yogurt soup), pilav (rice and light sauce), pilaki (navy beans in tomato sauce, some have meat). The dolma (stuffed vegetables with rice and meat) are often exceptional. Zeitin (olives) are of course in abundance! Pide (a pizza relative) is popular for early of mid day meals; it includes a combination of eggs, tomatoes, cheese, sometimes meat and always interesting spices! Local municipalities often fix fish prices. Tap water is chlorinated in major cities and generally considered acceptable for tourist, though bottled water often saves mishaps!

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