Population – 70.6 million, Area – 783,562 sq km (302,535 sq miles), Currency – New Turkish Lira (TRY; symbol YTL) = 100 New Kurus (Ykr), Flight times – From London to Istanbul is 3 hours 45 minutes and from New York is 9 hours 50 minutes, Cities – Ankara (capital), Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Time Zone – GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October), Weather – Marmara and the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, wet winters; the east of the country is mountainous with warm summers and very cold, snowy winters; the southeast has very hot summers and cold winters; the Black Sea coast is the wettest part of the country, especially in the northeast, Languages – Turkish; Kurdish is also spoken by a minority in the southeast; French, German and English are widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas, Religion – Muslim, mostly Sunni, with a very small Christian minority, Electricity - 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Turkey geographical location has made it the land bridge between Europe and Asia for many thousands of years. Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, the other major cities are Ankara, İzmir, Bursa and Adana. In size, Turkey is larger than Texas. A good portion of the land in Turkey is covered by forest. Since 1924, Turkey has been a secular nation, with religion separate from government. The Republic of Turkey was founded on October 29, 1923, by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who led the Turkish troops to victory.

The Turkish language belongs to the Ural-Altaic group; it resembles most closely Finnish and Hungarian of the languages found in Europe. Turkish is written in the Latin alphabet, not in Arabic or in Cyrillic characters, and it is spoken not only in Turkey but also in a wide band of Turkic-speaking countries all across Central Asia.
Turkey has a widely varied geographical and climatic condition and hence is able to produce almost every type of fruit and vegetable. Turkey produces enough food and fiber to supply not only all of its more than 60 million people but also the people of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and many of the people in Libya and Algeria.

Turkish is the native language of 90% of Turkey’s population. There are about 70 languages and dialects spoken in Turkey including Circassian and Kurdish dialects, Arabic, Greek and Armenian.

Two bridges in Istanbul now connect Europe with Asia, and a third bridge is well along in the planning stage. The major trucking and tourist traffic from east to west and from west to east crosses those bridges.

Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport is the primary international gateway of Turkey. Ankara's Esenboğa Airport handles a comparatively limited selection of international flights, and there are also direct charters to Mediterranean resort hot spots like Antalya in the peak summer and winter seasons

Turkey is one of the major players in the medical tourism market. Turkey's largest city Istanbul, is not only home to state of the art medical facilities, but a wealth of tourist interests as well. Turkey also benefits from its proximity to Europe, making it an easy flight for many who don't want to wait to schedule medical procedures.

The appeal of traveling to Turkey for medical care is obvious. Known as the “Cradle of Civilization” and famous for its breathtaking Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines, the country offers medical tourists the opportunity to spend their post-operative days experiencing a natural and historical wealth unlike that found anywhere else in the world. Of course this is not all Turkey has to offer. The healthcare industry in Turkey is excellent. Based upon US medical models and training, Turkey’s hospitals boast a qualified staff, modern equipment and ISO 9001 international medical certification. Furthermore, the prices for surgery, treatment and hospital care are competitive with other medical tourism destinations across the board. With package deals that include flights, transfers, hotels, treatment and often a post-operative vacation, Turkey offers medical tourists an irresistible offer.

Turkey is home to a number of great modern hospitals most of which are ISO certified and which provide five star accommodations for patients. Patients can expect the same high level of quality they would receive back home as two of the largest Turkish hospitals are affiliated with prestigious U.S. based institutions: Anadolu Medical Center operates in conjunction with Johns Hopkins, while Istanbul Hospital is a Harvard Medical Center partner. Turkey is set to join the European Union and as such its hospitals are held to the same standard as those in the rest of Europe.

The Turkish medical training model is based on that of the U.S. and other western countries, so doctors have received numerous years of training. Many have received training abroad and a majority will be able to converse with you in English about your procedure. Doctors pride themselves on their attentiveness to patients, so a high level of personally catered care can be expected.

The cost of treatment in Turkey ranges from a quarter to a tenth of that in the United States, helped in part by the favorable exchange rate. It's a popular choice for those needing dental or cosmetic surgery, and procedures can be arranged to be done immediately, saving the frustration of a long wait.

Turkey is also a great place to rest after you've had your medical treatment. Package deals can set you up with massages, spa treatments and visits to the famous Turkish baths for post-op relaxation as well as putting you up in a high class hotel for the duration of your stay. Visitors will also find Turkey rich with cultural and historical monuments as well as beautiful beaches, mountains and lakes all near the warmth of the Mediterranean coast.

There are more than 40,000 historical sites in Turkey; of these, fewer than 300 have been excavated thus far. There are more Greek classical remains in good condition than there are in Greece, and more good Roman classical remains in Turkey than there are in Italy.

As the heir to many centuries of cultures, Turkey is a land rich in history and cultural wealth. Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians Ionians, Lydians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans have all made important contributions to the history of the area. Ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give sufficient proof of each civilization's unique distinction. The world's first known settlement, a Neolithic city at Çatalhöyük, dates back to 6.500 B.C. From the days of Çatalhöyük up to the present, Turkey boasts a rich culture that, through the centuries, has made a lasting impression on modern civilization.

Turkish artist and artisans have developed styles of art that are uniquely Turkish. Since it is forbidden by Islam to portray human and animal forms in art, early Turkish artists turned their creative talents to architecture, music, poetry, weaving, wood and metal working, ceramics, glassblowing, jewelry, manuscript illumination and calligraphy.

Turkey has a very ancient folk dance tradition which varies from region to region, each dance being colorful, rhythmic, elegant and stylish. Among the most popular are, "Çayda Çira" from the Sivas region in Central Anatolia.

Turkish music evolved from the original folk form into classical through the emergence of a Palace culture. It attained its highest point in the 16th century through the composer Itri. Great names in Turkish classical music include Dede Efendi, Haci Arif Bey and Tamburi Cemal Bey.

Turkish theater is thought to have originated from the popular Karagöz shadow plays, a cross between moralistic Punch and Judy and the slapstick Laurel and Hardy. It then developed along an oral tradition, with plays performed in public places, such as coffee houses and gardens, exclusively by male actors.

Until the18th century, painting in Turkey was mainly in the form of miniatures, usually linked to books in the form of manuscript illustration. In the 18th century, trends shifted towards oil painting, beginning with murals. Thereafter, under European inspiration, painting courses were introduced in military schools.

From Istanbul International airport, one can catch the light rail, which will take you directly to the Otogar bus station or to numerous stops within Istanbul. One can still travel from Europe to Turkey by train, although these days this is more of historical or perhaps even romantic interest than a fast or practical one. Getting from Central Europe to Turkey is not too difficult.

One needs to have valid International Insurance.

Major cities are served by airlines as well, with reasonable prices, beating the bus travel experience especially over longer distances. Tickets can be conveniently bought at the Istanbul domestic terminal and local ticket offices of Turkish Airlines