Turkey is located in southeastern Europe and also in southwestern
Asia although most of the land is situated in Asia . The European
part is known as Thrace and the Asian part as Anatolia (Asia
Minor). The area W of the Bosporus being part of Europe.
Travel Insurance for Turkey:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Turkey
The
Asian side joins with Europe in Istanbul via bridges across the
Bosporus. It borders the Black Sea , between Bulgaria and Georgia
to the north. Turkey also borders the Aegean Sea and the Sea
of Maramara to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea between Syria
and Greece to the south. Other bordering countries are: Armenia
, Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Georgia , Greece, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
The majority of the population is Muslim.
Turkey is a country of great diversity with elevated plateaus,
coastal areas and mountainous regions - with the highest point
being Mount Ararat , the believed site of Noah’s Ark. Turkey
holds an important position geographically with its control of
the Bosporus , Sea of Marmara and Dardanelles which join with
the Black Sea and Aegean Sea.
The coastal resorts of Turkey are magnificent and very popular
tourist destinations. The resort areas of Bodrum, Antalya and
Kusadasi are particular favourites of Europeans. The capital,
Ankara offers many fascinating sights and attractions as well
as museums. Other major cities are: Ismir, Adana, Bursa and Konya.
However, Istanbul is probably the best known city for most
people, and a big draw for tourists. Istanbul is known for its
magnificent palaces, churches and mosques, which adorn many postcards.
There are also remains of Greek and Roman buildings which are
well worth a visit. Remember to check on dress code, as women
are usually required to cover their heads when visiting mosques
and some other locations.
Visitors will delight in dining experiences and sampling delicious
Turkish cuisine, along with opportunities to see the famous belly
dancers.
Turkey is a volcanic country and so there are many natural
hot springs , health spas and Turkish baths for relaxing. There
are also caves to be explored.
Among other activities available, Turkey offers: Mountaineering,
hiking, river rafting, skiing, cross-country bicycling, yacht
cruises. Shoppers will love browsing the shops and bazaars. There
are many great skiing resorts in the country also for winter
sports enthusiasts from December through May.
The beautiful waters of the Black Sea , Aegean and Mediterranean
are a true paradise for sailors and lovers of beaches and water
sports in general. Yachts can be chartered either bare-boat or
crewed, and flotilla cruises are also popular.
Sun lovers will love the beaches and clear waters for swimming,
and there is also of course plenty of opportunity for SCUBA diving,
snorkeling, surfing, and fishing.
For nature-lovers, Turkey has a vast array of flora and fauna
which varies from region to region due to the differing terrain
and micro-climates they contain.
Weather
Temperatures in Ankara may vary between -4C and 30°C. Marmara
with the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean
climate with long hot summers and mild winters. |
