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
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