TURKEY

6th country of destination by international tourist arrivals in 2012
35.7 million visitors per year (+1.0)

TOP TRAVEL DESTINATION: Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti)

Turkey is an attractive tourist place and now is an emerging top travel destination for many. Its people are friendly and accommodating and it’s the cities are full of majestic old and wooing architects. There are a variety of things to see and do in Turkey as aqua sports, mountain trekking, archaeology, night clubbing and many more. Turkey is the only secular and democratic Islamic nation in the world. Turkey has always welcomed people of many races and religions and has promoted the peace.

Turkey is on the Mediterranean in the west Asia, with a small section in South-eastern part of Europe separated by the Turkish Straits. The Black Sea is on the north and the Aegean Sea in the west and Mediterranean Sea to the southwest. Turkey is bordered with eight countries as Bulgaria and Greece to the west, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the northeast, Syria, Iraq and Iran to the southeast.

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The Climate

The location of this top travel destination has given it advantageous differences in the climatic features. Turkey enjoys seven distinct geographic weather and climatic conditions. These distinct regions are as follows:

Marmara – This region is consisting of low hills and rolling farmland, hence it is excellent for fruit orchards as well as vegetables, sunflowers and grain. Rainfall in the region is averaging 668 mm (26 inches) per year and the temperatures range from a low of -16C(3F) in the depths of winter to 40C(104F) on the hottest day in summer and also it is humid quietly.

Aegean – This region is too having the low hills and higher mountains and too conducive for farming as the region is having good fertile valleys and is rich alluvial soil. Rainfall in the region averages 645 mm (25 inches) per year and the temperatures range from -8C(18F) to 43C(109F) with little humidity.

Mediterranean – This is the southern part of Turkey having high mountain range. This coastal region is very hot and humid during summer and has rainfall of around 777 mm (31 inches).

Central Anatolia – The region is having high plateaus of rolling steppe framed by mountain ranges. In this region temperatures ranges from -25C (-13F) to 40C (104F) with a low intensity rainfall.

Black Sea Coast – It is a lush and green region because of its 781 mm (31) inches of annual rainfall dropped as the winds crosses the Black Sea and rises to vault the mountains.

Eastern Anatolia – Here the temperatures drops to -43C in deep winter and rises to 38C in summer.

Southeastern Anatolia – It's hot most of the time in the region and temperature goes up to 46C during summer and can be a low to -12C in some winters.

The Culture and Religion

Turkey has a very diverse culture that is a blend of various elements as one can find both Greco-Roman and Islamic cultures and also the western culture and traditions in some ratios. The diversity in the historical factors plays an important role in defining the modern Turkish and is also a reason for making Turkey a top travel destination in the world.

Turkey is a secular nation with no official religion. The country’s constitution provides freedom of religion and conscience. The major religions of Turkey includes: Islam, Orthodox Christians, Gregorian Christians, Catholic, Protestant and Jews.

Places to tour in Turkey

The main reason to be the top travel destination is the variety that places in Turkey offers. Here are some of the main tourist places in Turkey:

Istanbul – One can find the historical places as Topkapi Palace and many more to tour.

Ankara – The capital city. One can find the beautiful monumental buildings that reflect the architecture of the great Anatolian empires.

Ephesus – A grandest and best preserved of Turkey's ruins. Its Temple of Diana was counted among the Seven Wonders of the World.

Bodrum – A beautiful resort with a yacht harbor and a port.

Antalya – The beach towns and ancient cities of the region.

Troy – The site of an epic battle between the Greeks and the Trojans.

Harran – Enjoy the water sports as Yachting, water-skiing, snorkeling and diving are a favorite tourist past time in Turkey.

Erzurum – The scene of wild life, beautiful an untamed national park with water rafting.

Bursa – Sail across the Sea of Marmara and enjoy the great food.

When to go

To tour this top travel destination spring season is the best one else autumn, summer and the end of winters can also be enjoyed depending upon the suitability of the tourists. Spring (April, to mid-June) is the prime time because the weather is moderate throughout the country and the days are long.

Travelling in Turkey

The top travel destination, Turkey can be travelled and enjoyed by the following mode mainly:

By plane – Major cities are served by airlines with reasonable prices over longer distances.

By bus – Bus travel is convenient in Turkey. Turkey has a very good long-distance bus network with good-quality service.

By train – Offers considerably cheap but slower travel compared with the above modes.

By car – Driving is on the right side of the road in Turkey. Also it is legal to drive vehicle with driver positioned on the right as in the case of left driving.

By boat – One of the best cruising grounds in the world. The best way to see Turkey is from your own private yacht on your own schedule.

Major Airports in Turkey

– Gazipaşa Airport
– Esenboğa Airport, Ankara
– Milas-Bodrum Airport
– Atatürk International Airport, Istanbul
– Zafer Airport
– Adnan Menderes Airport

So, what are you waiting for, just get ready for the tour to Turkey, the top travel destination in the world.