Turkey has had a customs union with the EU since 1996.
Turkey is an EU candidate member and is expecting to join in 2010/ 2011 with some Economists forecasting earlier membership.
Turkey is a republic since 1923; a constitution was adopted in 1924, since then it has been governed as a democratic secular state, with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938) as it’s first and most memorable President.
Turkish women won the right to vote and to stand for office in 1934 (earlier than a lot of their European Counterparts).
Turkey has had a woman Prime Minister.
Turkey is NATO’s only Muslim member-state.
A modern infrastructure. Turkey’s most important international airport is Istanbul. Its other international airports are Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir. Domestic flights are very reasonably priced.
Most European national carriers fly to Izmir / Bodrum International Airports.
There are direct flights from all major UK airports all year round, and from Dublin / Cork (end March-October) to Izmir / Bodrum International Airports.
Turkey has a large labour force at relatively low costs.
The cost of living is below the European average.
On 1st January 2005 the Turkish currency (lira) was revised, six zeros vanished overnight! The new notes and coins simplify monetary transactions.
Turkey has a strong agricultural base, being one of the few countries that are a net exporter of food.
Turkey also makes cars, electrical goods, pharmaceuticals and textiles, and its exportgrowth rate has been one of the highest in the world. In excess of ten million tourists came to Turkey in 2000*.
The forecasted figure for 2020 is 40 million*.
Recent figures show that in excess of 35,000 Non – Nationals have invested in property and land in Turkey*.
Turkish property provides exceptionally good value for money compared to other more traditional overseas markets and other maturing markets.
Property value increases are currently running between 15-20% per annum and are set to rise dramatically with Turkeys EU membership bid.
Turkey has agreements with 39 other countries to promote and protect mutual investments as well as an agreement to preclude double taxation.
Turkey has a very liberal investment climate including free (international) movement of capital, profits, dividends and salaries together with free-trade zones and subsidies.
With over 7,000km of coastline made up of the Black Sea to the North, Marmara Sea to the Northwest, Mediterranean to the South and the Aegean Sea to the West. It is an excellent destination for water sports, sailing and fishing.
It is the crossroads of three geographical regions: Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Africa is just a short trip across the Mediterranean.
300 days of sunshine.
Most Turkish people working in the tourist industry can speak English, German or some other foreign language.
Turkish people took to the Internet like ducks to water and you will find an Internet café on almost every street corner.
Turkish people regard mobile phones as an indispensable accessory.
Turkish Farmers and Householders use solar powered water heating systems that provide cheap and plentiful supplies of hot water.
Turkey has something to offer everyone! *(Sunday Business Post- (12/9/04)
Istanbul, which was known as capital of the capital cities, and created huge peace geographies with reigning to first Roma, and then Eastern Roman (Byzantium) Empire and continents, and was the capital city of Ottoman Empire, is going to a modern future with preserving magnificence of history with proud. Variety in Istanbul is really charming the visitors. It is serving infinite nuances with its museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaar places and natural beauties. When you lean against backside at the coast of the strait, you feel Istanbul as "center of the world" and understand why people select this extraordinary place centuries before with watching the reflection of the red at sun set from the houses at the coast.
Antalya, Pergamum King Aktallos II. ordered his soilders to discover the retreat of heaven on earth.Upon this command, the soilders had wandered around till they came to the place of Antalya and exclaimed " This is heaven". Then founded city “Attalia" today enables you to feel like you are in heaven. Stretching out along the coastline of Antalya, Alanya, Manavgat-Side, Side, Kemer, Kas, Finike, Serik, Demre, and many other destinations expect you for a holiday never to be forgotten...
Cappadocia, Cappadocian Region and displays a beautiful combination of nature and history. The geographic movements had formed the peribacalarini and during the historical development process, mankind had settled and inhabited these natural wonders, fairy chimneys and carved houses and churches inside these formations and adorned these settlements with frescos, carrying the traces of the thousands of years of their civilizations.The current Cappadocia, Region is an area covering Nevsehir, Aksaray, Nigde, Kayseri and as for the more narrow rocky Cappadocian Region, Üçhisar, Urgup, Avanos, Goreme, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Ihlara and its environs will be included.
Aegean Coasts, If one were to claim that the most scenic vistas in Anatolia can be found on the coasts of the Aegean, he could not be accused of exaggerating. In the words of Heredotus, the Aegean coasts "have the most beautiful sky and the best climate in the world." The bays and peninsulas, coves and golden beaches stretch the length of these beautiful shores. In this region where the countless events of mythology took place, at almost every turn, you will encounter the theaters, temples and agoras of ancient cities: Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kusadasi, Selcuk, Bergama,Foca, Cesme, Pamukkale.....
