2. TURKISH FLAG

3. Red with a vertical white half moon (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five- pointed star centered just outside the half- moon opening. Turkey does not have an official national emblem. The symbol on the cover page of Turkish passports is simply the star and Half -moon t as found in the flag of Turkey. NATIONAL FLAG & EMBLEM Seal of the President of Turkey. The 16 stars symbolize the 16 Turkish states in history. Used only in embassies & Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Designed in 1925, but was never approved.

4. Turkey is a country which is located on two continents; Asia and Europe.

5. Turkey, known officially as the Republic of Turkey, is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia (mostly in the Anatolian peninsula) and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. The Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus are to the south; the Aegean Sea is to the west; and the Black Sea is to the north. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles (which together form the Turkish Straits) demarcate the boundary between East Thrace and Anatolia; they also separate Europe and Asia.

7. LOCATION It is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east, and Iraq and Syria to the southeast.

8. Population :75.6 million (Turkstat, Turkish Statistical Institute, 2012 ) Official Language : Turkish Administrative Type : Democratic Republic Capital City :Ankara,but most populated city is Istanbul. Currency: Turkish Lira Official Holidays Religious Feast of Ramadan. ( 3 days ) Feast of the Sacrifice.( 4 days ) Other holidays New Year's Day (1 st January) National Sovereignty & Children's Day (23 rd April) Ataturk's Commemoration & Youth and Sports Day (19 th May) Victory Day (30 th August) Republic Day (29 th October 1923) FACTS Istiklal Avenue

9. Time difference: UTC+2. (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Monday in March; ends last Sunday in October Working Days: From Monday to Friday Ethnic Groups : Turkish, Laz,Zaza Kurdish, Greek, Turkmen Life expectacy : 72 Sufferage :18 Mean Age : 28.8 years Religions :Secular Republic Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Urban population: 70% of total population (2010). FACTS

10. Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey.

11. HISTORY Who is Atatürk? He was born in Selanik 1881 and died 1938. Hero of Gallipoli Battle fields in the World War I. Atatürk is the starter of war of the independence. Establisher and first minister of Turkish Republic. Also known as “Father of the Turks.” Mustafa Kemal ATATURK

12. THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE Government: Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state, governed by the rule of law; committed to the nationalism of Atatürk and based on the principle of the separation of powers Legislative Power: The Turkish Grand National Assembly Executive Power: President and the Council of Ministers. Judicial Power: Independent courts and supreme judiciary organs.

13. HISTORY Göbekli Tepe, the first evidence of man presence in the world. Portion of the legendary walls Troy (VII), identified as the site of the Trojan War Antiquity The Anatolian peninsula (also called Minor Asia), comprising most of modern Turkey, is one of the oldest continually inhabited regions in the world due to its location at the intersection of Asia and Europe.

14. The temple of artemis is one of the seven wonders of the world. The town of Selcuk in Izmir.

15.  RELIGION Turkey is officially a secular Republic. The Turkish Constitution provides the freedom of religion and conscience, but does not represent or promote a religion. The population of Turkey is predominantly Muslim (99%).The remainder of the population are mainly Christians and Jews. Blue Mosque

16. Money Money Lira Kuruş

17. Turkey, with a subtropical climate zones belt is located between the temperate zone. As a result of Turkey's geographical location and shapes of the earth's climate, led to the emergence of different types of climate characteristics. The effect is more temperate climate of coastal regions of the seas. The effects of the location of the mountains inland from entering the sea. For this reason, the inner parts of the continental climate is seen. continental climate Mediterranean climate continental climate continental climate black sea climate Mediterranean climate mix climate

18. Turkish Culture is unique in the world in that it has influenced and has been influenced in return by cultures and civilizations from China to Vienna and from Russian steps to North Africa for over a millennia. Turkish coffe efrom 14. century until now…

20. Turkey has a very diverse culture that is a blend of various elements of the Oğuz Turkic, Anatolian, Ottoman and Western culture and traditions. Ottomans…Turkey has a wide variety of regional costumes…

21. Body Language and Gesticulating Handshakes and a kiss on each cheek between men and women are common forms of meeting and greeting ‘Yes’ is that it is just a small nod of the head downwards ‘No’ is indicated by a nod of the head upwards, often with raised eyebrows Hand-kissing is a common way to greet elder people of both genders

22. Gift Giving Etiquette The only time you would need to give any great thought to gifts would be if you were invited to a Turk's home for dinner. The most usual gifts to take are pastries, (especially 'baklava') and decorative items for the home such as ornaments or vases.

23. Turkish hand-woven carpets are exporting all over the world.

24. TURKISH FOOD, DESSERTS AND DRINKS

25. Döner Kebab is a Turkish dish made of lamb meat. It is cooked on a vertical spit and sliced off to order and served wrapped in bread with salad.

26. Şiş kebab Adana kebab

27. Mantı dumplings consist of a spiced meat mixture, usually lamb or ground beef, in a dough wrapper, either boiled or steamed. Mantı are typically served topped with yogurt and garlic and spiced with red pepper powder and melted butter, and topped with ground sumac and dried mint.

28. Simit is a circular bread with sesame seeds

29. Dolma is a family of stuffed vegetable dishes in the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire. Perhaps the best-known is the grape-leaf dolma. Common vegetables to stuff include eggplant, tomato and pepper. The stuffing may or may not include meat. Meat dolma are generally served warm, often with sauce; meatless ones are generally served cold with yogurt.

30. Tarhana soup is a dried-yogurt based soup.

31. TURKISH DELIGHT

32. Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.

33. Ayran is a yogurt-based beverage. It is a mixture of yogurt, cold water, and sometimes salt. Ayran is usually served chilled, and is a common accompaniment to döner, kebab, etc.

34. Turkish tea is a type of tea that is popular mainly in the Turkish-speaking countries. Within Turkey, the tea is usually known as Rize tea. Virtually all of the tea is produced in the Rize province, a Turkish province on the Black Sea coast.

35. SOME POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN TURKEY

36. ANTALYA

37. Cappadocia: The famous fairy chimneys

38. Ölüdeniz (Deadsea)

39. Mardin Houses / Mardin

40. Ancient Ruins in İzmir

41. Nemrut Mount

42. PAMUKKALE

43. Sümela Monastery

44. Trojan Horse

45. İstiklal Avenue: The Most Famous Avenue in İstanbul TopkapıPalace Topkapı Palace

46. Mor Hananyo Monastery in Mersin

47. For more information: http://www.kultur.gov.tr/?_dil=2