Turkey - Travel Report

Turkey is a moderately developed nation. The capital is Ankara. The average GDP of Turkey is $455.3 billion (2003 est.). The primary products of Turkey are processed foods, textiles, metals, chemicals, petrochemicals, cotton, hazelnuts, wheat, and tobacco. The major trade partners are Germany, US, UK, Italy, France, Russia and Switzerland. The predominant religion in Turkey is Muslim, therefore, a majority of the population observes traditional Muslim holidays and traditions. Most major credit cards are accepted. It is advisable to inquire with your financial institution regarding acceptability. Travelers bringing in a large amount of foreign currency should obtain a written declaration from Turkish authorities. A number of Turkish cities including Istanbul, Izmir, and Erzincan lie on or near fault lines, making these areas particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.