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- <text id=93CT1897>
- <title>
- Turkey--Travel
- </title>
- <history>
- Compact ALMANAC--CIA Factbook
- Southwest Asia
- Turkey
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>CIA World Factbook</source>
- <hdr>
- Travel
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> Customs: A visa is not required of holders of US tourist
- passports (regular, official, or diplomatic) who plan to stay in
- Turkey for 3 months or less. Persons who plan to come to Turkey
- for longer stays must apply for a visa from a Turkish embassy
- or consulate.
- </p>
- <p> Currency: There are no restrictions on the importation of
- Turkish lira or hard currencies into Turkey. However, residents
- of Turkey must declare all currencies in excess of the
- equivalent of $5,000 upon entry. Visitors to Turkey may
- exchange Turkish lira up to the equivalent of $5,000 into
- foreign currency without any documentation.
- </p>
- <p> Climate and clothing: Clothing and shoe requirements are
- about the same as for the eastern US. Climate on the periphery
- (Istanbul, Izmir, and Adana) is Mediterranean with cool, rainy
- winters and hot, moderately dry summers. The Black Sea coast
- receives the greatest rainfall. Shielded by mountains, the
- interior (Ankara) has continental climate with cold winters and
- dry, hot summers. Climate in the eastern mountainous area is
- often severe.
- </p>
- <p> Health: Public health standards in the larger cities approach
- those in the US, but care must be taken, especially in rural
- areas. While tap water in major cities is generally potable, it
- is recommended that bottled water be used at all times, because
- of possible intermittent contamination of water lines. Turkish
- law requires that at least one pharmacy be open in a
- neighborhood at all times.
- </p>
- <p> Telecommunications: Telephone and telegraph services,
- domestic and international, are generally dependable. During
- peak hours, circuits are often overloaded. Turkey is seven
- hours ahead of EST. Daylight savings time is used.
- </p>
- <p> Transportation: More than 20 scheduled airlines connect
- Turkey with all parts of the world. Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir,
- Antalya, and Dalaman are Turkey's primary international
- airports. Turkish Airlines (THY), Turkish state railways, and a
- variety of intercity bus companies serve many points in Turkey,
- Europe, and the Middle East. Local buses, share cabs, and
- minibuses (dolmus), although somewhat crowded, provide
- satisfactory local transportation. Taxis are readily available.
- Main roads are fairly good in and between the large centers;
- secondary roads are generally adequate. Roads frequently lack
- shoulders. Drivers should exercise extreme care because of
- heavy truck and other traffic, and unpredictable drivers.
- Driving at night in the countryside should be avoided because
- of many or poorly-lit vehicles on the highway.
- </p>
- <p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
- March 1988.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
-