Type: Republic.

Independence: October 29, 1923

Constitution: November 7, 1982. Amended in 1987, 1995, 2001, 2007, and 2010. Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), Council of Ministers (cabinet--appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister). Legislative--Grand National Assembly (550 members) chosen by national elections at least every 4 years. Judicial-Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation, Council of State, and other courts

Executive Branch
The President of Turkey (Cumhurbakan) is

the head of state of the Republic of Turkey. The

presidency is largely a ceremonial office but has some important functions. In this capacity he represents the Republic of Turkey, and the unity of the Turkish nation; he ensures the implementation of the Turkish Constitution, and the organized and harmonious

functioning of the organs of state.

 The articles from 101 to 106 of the constitution establish all the requirements, election, duties and responsibilities for the office of the President. The office of the President of Turkey was established with the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. The current officeholder is the 11th president, Abdullah Gul since August 28, 2007. Qualifications In order to become the President of Turkey, the candidate must have completed higher education, be at least forty years of age, and be a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly or a Turkish citizen eligible to be a deputy. The president-elect has to sever his relations, if any, with his political party, and his status as a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly must cease.

 Recep Tayyip Erdoan (born 26 February 1954) has been Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003 and is chairman of the ruling Justice and Development party (AK Parti), which holds a majority of the seats in the Grand National assembly of Turkey. Erdoan served as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He graduated in 1981 from Marmara University's Faculty of Economics and Commercial Sciences. Erdoan was also a semi-professional footballer from 1969 to 1982.

 Legislative power is invested in the 550-seat Grand National Assembly of Turkey , representing 81 provinces. The members are elected for a four-year term by mitigated proportional representation with an election threshold of 10%. To be represented in Parliament, a party must win at least 10% of the national vote in a national parliamentary election. Independent candidates may run, and to be elected, they must only win 10% of the vote in the province from which they are running. The threshold is set to be reduced. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Cemil iek.

 The freedom and independence of the Judicial System is protected within the constitution. There is no organization, person, or institution which can interfere in the running of the courts, and the executive and legislative structures must obey the courts' decisions. The courts, which are independent in discharging their duties, must explain each ruling on the basis of the provisions of the Constitution, the laws, jurisprudence, and their personal convictions.

Black Sea Region The Black Sea Region is a mountainous area in the north. This region is approximately 1/6 of Turkeys total land mass. It has a steep and rocky coast and rivers cascade through the gorges of the coastal ranges. As the Northern Anatolian Mountains run parallel to the coastline access inland from the coast is limited to a few narrow valleys, so the coast therefore has always been isolated from inland areas.

 It is densely wooded, comprising more than one-

fourth of Turkeys forested areas. The region is

mainly agricultural, corn being the dominant field crop. Tea is grown in the eastern coastal strip, hazelnuts around Giresun and Ordu and tobacco in Samsun and Trabzon.

 The Marmara Region covers the European part as well as the northwest of the Anatolian plain. It comprises a central plain of rolling terrain surrounded by mountains of moderate height. Although it is the smallest region after Southeastern Anatolia, it has the highest population density. The Marmara region is economically the most developed area of Turkey. Its agriculture is varied, including tobacco, wheat, rice, sunflower, corn, olives, grapes and natural silk. On the straits and coasts of the Marmara Sea fishing is well developed

 The Aegean Region extends from the Aegean coast to the inner parts of Western Anatolia. Forest lands and fertile plains carrying the same names as its rivers are dominant. The lowlands of the Aegean and Marmara Regions contain about half of the countrys agricultural wealth in the broad, cultivated valleys, the most important of which are the Izmit Valley, the Bursa Plains and the Plains of Troy.
Its wealth rests on the production of several export crops, including tobacco (more than 50% of Turkeys total production), cotton (30% of the total), high-quality grapes suitable for drying, olives (more than 50% of the Turkish output) and figs.

The Mediterranean Region

The Mediterranean Region is located in the south of Anatolia. The western and central Taurus Mountains suddenly rise up behind the coastline. Forest lands are dominant here like the Aegean and the Black Sea regions. The coastal areas produce cotton (60 percent of Turkeys output), sesame, citrus fruits (more than 90 percent of the countrys production), early vegetables and bananas. The higher elevations have relatively little arable land; grain and livestock are produced and there is pastoral nomadism among the Yoruks

 The Central Anatolia Region is exactly in the middle of Turkey and is less mountainous when compared to the other regions. This region varies in altitude from 600-1,200 m (1,970-3,940 ft) west to east. Steppes are common. Geologically young volcanic features characterize the landscape. For the most part, the region is bare and monotonous and is used for grazing. But overgrazing has caused soil erosion on the plateau and during frequent summer dust storms a fine yellow powder blows across the plains. One-third of Turkeys sheep and three-quarters of its Angora goats are raised there

 The Eastern Anatolia Region is Anatolia's largest and highest region. Nearly all of the area has an average altitude of 1,500-2,000 m / 4,920-6,560 ft. Anatolias highest peak Mount Ararat is located in this region. This is the most thinly populated region of the country.

Farming is difficult because of the long, severe winters, steep slopes and eroded soil. Grain, chiefly summer wheat and barley, is the dominant crop. In the humid northeast, beef and dairy cattle are raised whilst in the south there are pastoral nomads who raise sheep and goats.

 The Southeastern Anatolia Region is notable for the uniformity of its landscape. Vast stretches of this region consist only of wild or barren wasteland. Agriculture is confined mainly to irrigated valleys and basins (wheat, rice, vegetables, grapes). Much of the population is nomadic or seminomadic. Turkeys principal oil fields are here

Business Etiquette

 Turkish prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore spend time establishing a personal relationship. Most Turkish men love football (soccer) and usually support one of three teams: Galatasaray, Besiktas or Fenerbahe. Asking after their team's recent fortunes will always produce lively and animate responses. Once a relationship has been established, communication is direct.

Eye contact is very important.

 Always come to Turkey knowing two things. Turkish will want to do business with those they like

Business dress is conservative.

In the summer, and especially in the cities of Istanbul, Izmir and Anakara the weather is very hot and humid. Outside the big cities and especially in the East of Turkey both women and men should wear more conservative clothing.

 Where professional titles exist

such as Doctor or Professor,

always use them either on their own of before the first name. A common phrase you will hear Turkish using is efendim.

Strolling through the streets of Turkey

many foreigners marvel at the wide range

of architectural masterpieces along the way: Impressive mosques, beautiful fountains, ornate tombs and colored wooden houses can be found all over

the place

 Indeed, hosting the heritage of a number of cultures and eras, Turkey is certainly a real treasure trove for lovers of

architecture, some of whom call the

country an "open-air museum" of the world's greatest architectural styles.

 Once upon a time, a soothsayer makes the prediction to the King that his daughter will die as a result of a snakebite. Thereupon, the King has a castle built in the sea in order to protect his daughter. Time passes and the girl grows up in the castle. However, the prediction made by the soothsayer was inevitably comes true as a snake hiding a fruit basket carried to the princess bites and kills her.

 Nemrut Da (Mount Nimrod) is one of Turkey's most astounding sights: an artifical mountaintop framed by two great temples littered with colossal statues.

 The monastery is constructed on rocks reached by a path through the forest. The beautiful frescoes dating from the 18 th century on the walls of the monastery are biblical scenes of Christ and Virgin Mary.

 Hierapolis means holy city. The holiness of Pamukkale comes from the calcium oxide water that have been healing people for thousands of years.

 The second half of the 16th century which is named as the classical age of Turkish art during Ottoman rule, was the most magnificent period for ceramics as well as the other handcrafts

 SEMA HORON KILIC KALKAN ZEYBEK

 Turkish folk dance is alive and varied. Each region of Turkey has its own characteristic dances with special costumes, steps, rhythms and instruments. Every region's dance reflects the characteristics of that region's people.

 Sama is a means of meditating on God through focusing on melodies and dancing. It brings out a person's love of God, purifies the soul, and is a way of finding God.
This practice is said to reveal what is already in one's heart, rather than creating emotions.[1] All of a person's doubt disappears, and the heart and soul can communicate directly with God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKEItegftb8&f eature=related

 This Black Sea dance is performed by men only, dressed in black with silver trimmings. The dancers link arms and quiver to the vibrations of the kemence, a primitive type of violin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVgLPKt_Rh0

 The Sword and Shield Dance of Bursa represents the Ottoman conquest of the city.

It is performed by men only, dressed in early Ottoman battle dress, who dance to the sound of clashing swords and shields without music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktXxf3YocQ8 &feature=related

 In this Aegean dance, colorfully dressed male dancers, called "Efe", symbolize courage and heroism.

 According to many culinary experts, Turkish food is considered to be among the top three greatest cuisines in the world along with French and Chinese. Some may agree with the French and Chinese but find the Turkish

one debatable. When looking back at Turkish history, the

reason for Turkish cuisine being ranked among the top three cuisines in the world can be understood better. Lets take a look.

 Turkish food can be divided into the following groups: 1) Mezeler (Appetizers) 2) Dolmalar (Stuffed vegetables with rice or meat) 3) orbalar (Soups) 4) Salatalar (Salads) 5) Baklagiller (Legumes) 6) Zeytinyal Sebzeler (Olive oil vegetable dishes which are usually served cold) 7) Pilavlar (Rice or bulgur pilafs) 8) Etli Sebzeler (Vegetables with meat) 9) Brekler (Stuffed pastries with meat, cheese or vegetables) 10)Pideler (Flat bread with cheese, meat or vegetables) 11)Kebaplar (Kebaps which range from kebabs cooked in a pot to skewered kebaps) 12)Balk ve Deniz rnleri (Fish and other seafood items) 13)Tatllar (Desserts) 14)ecekler (Drinks such as Turkish coffee, Turkish tea, rak, ayran)