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About Turkey

About Turkey

 

Turkey is a geographically diverse country with snow capped mountains and broad rivers in the east to green coasts and rich agricultural valleys in the west;  a lush, rainy, temperate climate in the north and a hot, dry climate in the south. Stretching from the nation's border with Greece to its frontier with Syria, the Turkish Coast is a coastal strip that has thousands of miles of unspoiled sandy beaches and coves fringed by pine forests, hundreds of pristine fishing villages and market towns, and a wealth of ancient ruins found nowhere else in the world.

The nation is one of the largest in Europe and is about the size of Britain and France combined. The population of Turkey is approximately 70 million.
The country is unique in that 97% of it is in Asia and 3% is in Europe. The Asian side is known as Anatolia and the European side, Thrace. The two are separated by the Dardanelles, (Canakkale), and by the Bosphorous Straights in Istanbul.

Istanbul is Turkey's largest and most famous city and its capital is Ankara. Although Turkey’s population is 99% Muslim, it is a secular state that guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims. From April to October, most places in Turkey have an ideal climate that is perfect for relaxing on sandy beaches or enjoying the tranquillity of mountains and lakes. The winter months are from November – March.


Culture in Turkey

Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality; a guest is someone to be treated with utmost respect. You will find that they are very friendly and ready to help with anything, Neighbours will look after each other and children around Turkey will be doted on. Statistically Turkey has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. 43% of the working population in Turkey is women.

In the rural areas, the rate of working women, especially in agriculture, is very high. However, women work in this sector as an extension of their housework and not to make a living. In urban areas, women hold important posts in the public and private sectors, the arts and sciences. Today, Turkish women hold down jobs such as bank managers, doctors, lawyers, judges, journalists, pilots, diplomats, police officers, army officers and in fact Turkey’s first woman prime minister Tansu Ciller came to power in June 1993 until 1995. A lot of people have a vision of women wearing veils etc., when you visit Turkey you will find that this is not really the case.



Turkish Political structure

Political structure: The Turkish Republic is based on a secular democratic and parliamentary system. The National Assembly is elected by popular vote and the nation is governed by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Turkey is a founding member of OECD, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation, a member of NATO since 1952, the European Council, the European Parliament and a candidate member for the European Union.

Turkish History

There is a wealth of Biblical history that has occurred in Turkey, it is often referred to as the "second holy land,” and many of the Old and New Testament stories happened in Turkey. It is said that Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. The Apostle St Paul probably spent two and a half years in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, until a riot forced him to leave the city rapidly. Some authorities believe that St. Paul was imprisoned in the so-called Prison of St. Paulin Ephesus.

At his crucifixion Jesus asked his beloved disciple, John, to look after his mother. John took the Virgin Mary to Ephesus between 42 and 48 AD and lived there. The house where the Virgin Mary lived and died was officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1896, and since then it has become a popular place of pilgrimage. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967.
We all believe that Santa Claus comes from the North Pole; in fact Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in Patara (City west of Myra, now known as Demre, Turkey).
The Ottoman Empire began as the joining together of late 13th century Turkish warriors fleeing the Mongols. By 1453 the Ottomans under Mehmet the Conqueror were strong enough to take Constantinople (now known as Istanbul). Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, (1520-66), oversaw the summit of the Empire, beautifying Constantinople, rebuilding Jerusalem and expanding the Ottoman Empire to the gates of Vienna.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, (the liberator of Turkey), came into power in 1919, when he took the lead in upsetting the victorious Allies' plan to partition the Turkish core of the Ottoman Empire. He divided the Allies, defeated the last Sultan and secured the territory of the Turkish national state, becoming the first president of the new republic in 1923. Mustafa Kemal undertook the job of completely remaking Turkish society.

By the time he died in 1938, a constitution had been adopted and polygamy, together with the fez was abolished. Islam was removed as the established religion, Constantinople became Istanbul and women obtained the right to vote. So admired was he that the Turkish Parliament even voted to give him the name, Ataturk which means father of the Turks.


Time Zones

Turkish Standard Time is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter, and three hours ahead of Greenwich in the summer.

Electricity

Electricity in Turkey is 220 volts. The speed for electronics is fifty cycles. Two-round prongs are the standard plugs for normal appliances.
Weather in Turkey

MONTHS

TEMPERATURE

WATER TEMPERATURES

January

6 -12 C

15 C

February

5 - 12 C

15 C

March

6 - 14 C

15 C

April

12 - 20 C

16 C

May

17 - 25 C

19 C

June

22 - 32 C

22 C

July

25 - 35 C

24 C

August

25 - 40 C

23 C

September

20 - 30 C

22 C

October

16 - 25 C

20 C

November

12 - 18 C

18 C

December

8 - 14 C

17 C

Distances from Bodrum Airport

Destination

Distance(km) Transfer Duration

Dalyan

33 40 Minutes

Icmeler

110 2 Hours

Datca

180 3 Hours

Turunc

110 2 Hours
Bodrum 33 35 Minutes
Gumbet / Bitez / Torba 34 40 Minutes
Turgutreis / Gumusluk 49 50 Minutes
Gundogan / Yalikavak 180 50 Minutes
Marmaris 125 2 Hours
Altinkum/Didim/Akbuk 55 1 Hour

FROM DALAMAN AIRPORT

Destination

Distance(km)

Transfer Duration

Fethiye

50

50 Minutes

Calis

45

45 Minutes

Hisaronu/Ovacik

55

1 Hour 15

Oludeniz

55

1 Hour 15

Gocek

25

30 Minutes

Kalkan

110

2 Hours

Kas

160

2 Hours 30

USEFUL TURKISH PHRASES

English

Turkish

Pronounced

Useful

Yes
No
Thank you
Hello
Goodbye
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Where?
Why?
When?
What?
Please
Excuse me
I don't understand
Do you speak English

Evet
Hayir
Teşekkür ederim
Merhaba
Hoşça kalin
Sabah
Ögleden sonra
Akşam
Nerede?
Niçin?
Ne zaman
Ne?
Lütfen
Affedersiniz
Anlamiyorum
Ingilizce konuşmasini biliyor musunuz?

        eh-vet
        h-eye-uhr
        teh-shek-kewr eh-deh-reem
        mer-ha-ba
        hosh-cha ka-luhn
        sa-bah
        ur-leh-den son-ra
        ak-sham
        neh-reh-deh
        neh-den
        neh za-man
        neh
        lewt-fen
        af-feh-der-see-neez
        an-la-muh-yo-room
        een-gee-leez-jeh bee-lee-yor moo-soo -nooz?

Transport

taxi
station
bus/coach
airport
ferry
ticket
timetable
ticket office
fare
bus stop

taksi
istasyon
otobus
havalimani
vapur
bilet
tarife
bilet gişesi
bilet ücreti
otobüs duragi

tak-see
ees-tas-yon
o-to-bewss
ha-va-lee-ma-nuh
va-poor
bee-let
ta-ree-feh
bee-let gee-shsh-see
ewj-ret
o-to-bewss doo-ra-uh

Emergency

Help
Fire
Call the police
Call an ambulance
Call a doctor
Stop
Where is the nearest hospital?

Imdat
Yangin
Polisi çargin!
Bir ambülans çargin!
Bir doktoru çargin!
Dur
En yakin hastane nerede?

eem-dat
yan-guhn
po-lees chah-ruhn
beer am-boo-lans chah-ruhn
beer dok-tor chah-ruhn
door
en ya-kuhn has-ta-neh neh-reh-deh


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Oceanwide new website

We are pleased to introduce our new website. Our aim is to give our clients exactly what they are looking for and to make the functionality of our website user friendly. We hope that you will enjoy using our website and visit us more frequently with updates and news in Fethiye and in Turkey

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A very attractive new feature will soon be completed in Fethiye

A very attractive new feature will soon be completed in Fethiye Throughout the winter months there has been continuous activity along the seafront between Fethiye and Calis. There is now a beautiful foot path edged with a separate running track, with distances marked out for those of us who wish to note our fitness progress. It makes a lovely walk, different each day, and each part of each day, as the quality of the light and mist is constantly changing. The islands fade into the distance so that the furthest away are just an outline. At sunset they form a beautiful silhouette against the brilliant colours of the sky and its reflections in the sea.

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Linger by the sea in Fethiye

In recent years the coast has been enhanced by many plants and trees on a carpet of grass. The effect is enhanced by the bright colours of the flowers and the reflection of the boats in the sea. What a lovely place to linger for a glass of Turkish tea or maybe to stop longer and enjoy a meal sitting by the edge of the water. The building has been going on throughout the winter of new and varied restaurants, some are already completed. To cater for everybody, there is a children’s playground and an outdoor gym.

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Fethiye, a most popular resort

It is certainly true that Fethiye is growing. There is a growing spirit of civic pride. It is growing in a way which enhances its natural beauty. There are new homes in large and small complexes or indeed by themselves. Most of them have pools .They create so many opportunities. Ideal for anyone wishing to settle here, they make lovely holiday homes. As an investment they are superb, and can attract rents of up to £1,000 a week in the high season.

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Fethiye is fast becoming a year long resort

With the opening of the new international building at Dalaman airport, and flights throughout the year, Fethiye is now becoming a 12 month resort. There is now a ski centre set in the beautiful mountains at Seki. We have watched it grow and there should be some great sport this winter. Seki is a most beautiful area throughout the year. It is an ideal spot for birdwatchers. I have seen amongst many others, a flock of demoiselle cranes.

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The road from Fethiye to Dalaman airport has just got shorter!

The road from Fethiye to Dalaman airport has just got shorter! In the last few years, the journey to and from Dalaman airport has become a pleasure rather than the nightmare is was before. There is a new, world class international terminal, Not only has the road to the airport been widened and improved, it now bypasses the villages, cutting that part of the journey short by 15 minutes. But that is not all. The tunnel is now completed, cutting off a further 10 minutes. A holiday house here is now even better value, since you can spend more relaxed time in it instead of frustrated time following lorries round the bends of steep, narrow roads. Of course, the scenic route is still open........

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The golf course in Sarigerme is due to open soon.

The golf course in Sarigerme is due to open soon. Golf enthusiasts may know that there has been a golf course planned in Sarigeme. Not long now until it is opened. Sarigerme is a lovely place to live or to have a holiday home. If you are not a golfer there is so much else to enjoy. The beach is long and sandy, there is a children’s zoo and shady walks. If you feel in need of refreshment, it is all there for you. It is only 12 km from the airport and half an hour’s drive from Fethiye.

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Port Gocek is well worth a visit.

Port Gocek is well worth a visit. The pretty little port of Gocek is a great favourite with yachtsmen. Many presidents and well known people have holidayed here over the years. Princess Margaret came several times and Prince Charles also visited. It is a beautiful bay, lined with a variety of restaurants. In spite of all the amenities it offers, it still remains a picturesque and tranquil place with a backdrop of mountains, and many peaceful and attractive inlets. Many of the new houses are in the hills overlooking the port and moorings and the bay hugged by mountains.

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Fethiye. What a special place for your holiday home!

Fethiye. What a special place for your holiday home! Have you ever considered your own holiday retreat set in beautiful scenery? If so, Fethiye is just the place of dreams. Everything is here; sun, sea, mountains, water sports, horse riding, walks, ancient cities. The people are friendly, the food is good, the weather is marvellous. What else could you wish for? For a holiday home it is incomparable, as a permanent home or an investment project, it is excellent.

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Centuries of history in the Fethiye region

It seems that everyone came to Fethiye in ancient times. The Lyceans settled in the 12th century BC. According to Herodotus, they came from Crete. They were eventually defeated by the Persians. After them came the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and, from the borders of China, the Turks. Alexander the Great travelled through this part of Turkey, and in some places is still remembered in folk myths. He went on to “untie” the Gordian Knot. The Seljuks gave way to the Ottomans. The Ottomans were deposed by Ataturk and the state of modern Turkey was born. Among many places within easy reach of Fethiye is Patara, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and the breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle. Almost on the beach is the ancient city, On a hill nearby is the tragic city of Xanthos, On the way from there to Fethiye you pass Letoon, Sidim and Pinara. The other side of Fethiye are Cadianda and Oenienda. There are interesting remains in Fethiye itself, including a Roman theatre, some tombs in private gardens, one middle of a road and another, which was once in the sea, (there is a painting of it by Muller, who traveled widely in this area), and because of silting, is now on land. More recently the Greeks lived in this area and a complete small town, now deserted, is evidence of this. In 1923, in an exchange of populations, the Turks living in Greece and the Greeks living in Turkey were moved to their respective countries, and the town, Kaya Koyu was deserted. Everyone came here, could you come too?

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Natural Beauty Near Fethiye

It hardly seems necessary to write about the beauty of this area. The landscapes, mountains, seascapes speak for themselves. One place that should be visited, a little further from our area, is Pamukkale, meaning cotton castle. It is a natural phenomenon. Pamukkale`s terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. In this area, there are 17 hot water springs in which the temperature ranges from 35 °C (95 °F) to 100 °C (212 °F). The water that emerges from the spring is transported 320 metres (1,050 ft) to the head of the travertine terraces and deposits calcium carbonate on a section 60 to 70 metres (200 to 230 ft) long covering an expanse of 240 metres (790 ft) to 300 metres (980 ft). When the water, supersaturated with calcium carbonate, reaches the surface, carbon dioxide degases from it, and calcium carbonate is deposited. The depositing continues until the carbon dioxide in the water balances the carbon dioxide in the air. Calcium carbonate is deposited by the water as a soft jelly, but this eventually hardens into travertine. (wikipedia)

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Fethiye is one of the most sought after locations in Turkey.

Turkish Daily News, an English language newspaper, cites Fethiye as one of the most sought after locations for foreigners to buy property in Turkey. The reasons given are:

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