Land area

783,562 sq km (including lakes and islands), of which 30% arable, 3% orchards, olive groves and vineyards, 26% classified as forest

Population

71,158,000 (mid-year estimate, US Census Bureau)

Main towns

Population (2007 census)

Istanbul: 11,174,257

Ankara (capital): 4,140,890

Izmir: 3,175,133

Bursa: 1,979,999

Adana: 1,611,262

Climate

Mediterranean on the south coast, continental inland

Weather in Ankara (altitude 861 metres)

Hottest month, August, 15-31°C (average daily minimum and maximum); coldest month, January, -4-4°C; driest month, August, 10 mm average rainfall; wettest month, December, 48 mm average rainfall

Language

Turkish

Measures

Metric system

Currency

Turkish lira. Average exchange rate in 2009: TL1.550:US$1; TL2.159:EUR1

Time

2 hours ahead of GMT; 3 hours ahead in summer

Fiscal year

Calendar year

Public holidays

January 1st; April 23rd; May 19th; three days for Ramadan and four days for Kurban or Eid (dates vary according to the Muslim calendar); August 30th; October 28th (half-day); October 29th