Country tips

Local time: GMT + 2 hrs. (Summer)

Electricity: 220 volts AC/50 Hz. all over Turkey. (Industrial:380 V) / Plug: European round/ 2-prong plug.

Tap water: Although tap water is safe to drink since it is chlorinated, it is recommended to get advice from the concemed authorities of the places resided.

Weights and measures:

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters , 1 centimeter = 0.3937 inches

1 yard = 0,9144 meters, 1 meter = 1.0936 yards

1 mile = 1,6093 kilometers, 1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles

1 pound = 0,4536 kilograms, 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds

Area:

1 acres = 0,4047 Hectares, 1 hectare = 2.471 acres

Capacity:

1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres, 1 litre = 0.2199 UK gallons

1 US gallon = 3.7831 litres, 1 litre = 0.2643 US gallons

Newspapers and magazines: Foreign newspapers and magazines are available in big cities and tourist areas. Also there is a Turkish daily newspaper, Daily News, published in English.

Tipping: At various establishments like hotels, restaurants, Turkish baths, barbers and hairdressers, tipping at a rate of 5%-15% of the total is common. Taxi and "dolmus" drivers on the other hand, do not expect tips or even rounded fares.

Visiting a mosque: Five times a day, the "müezzin" calls the faithful to prayer in the mosque. Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time. Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)

Monetary system: The national monetary unit is teh Turkish Lira (TL). The exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily:

Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey

( http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/kurlar/today.html )

Service numbers:

155 - Police

112 - Emergency

110 - Fire

118 - Information/Unknown numbers

Weather: Turkish State Meteorological Service

( http://www.meteor.gov.tr/indexmaster_eng.htm )

Hotel etc:

Hotel and tours in Turkey