TURKEY | EUCO 2009 ISTANBUL

ABOUT ISTANBUL<= /p>

Istanbul (ancient Byzantium) was founded on Seven Hills like Rome. Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city built on two continents. It is the only city in the world which is both in Europe and Asia geographically. The total area is 1,830.92 km2 (706.9 sq mi). The most recent population census shows that it has a population of about 13 million people, from which almost 65% are inhabitants of the Asian side. Fulfilling the residential ro= le of the city, it doesn't present a lot to see historically. In contrast, the European side is the commercial and cultural center, further divided into t= wo districts (the Old City and the modern downtown) by a narrow channel of wat= er called 'the Golden Horn'.

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Money
The currency used in the Turkish Republic is the new lira YTL. Visa and Master cards are acce= pted generally everywhere, although American Express or Diners Cards can pose difficulties. Travelers' Cheques are not easily cashed as most of the b= anks and exchange offices charge a sizable commission. It is advisable to use them as direct payment where possible, instead of cashing them. You can= use both Euro's and TL's for the activities in the EUCO2009 Istanbul. (You = can also buy your tickets for the drinks in euro's) When you need TL's you = can exchange your money easily. There are a lot of change-exchange offices close to the EUCO2009ISTANBUL Hotel area's.

Climate
The regional location of Istanbul is the = second most humid region of the country, with an average humidity of 73%. The maximum that has been recorded is 41'C (105.8 'F) - 16'C (5'F).<= o:p>

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Internet Cafes=
It is very ea= sy to find Internet cafes anywhere in the city with reasonable prices. A set time-related fee is charged for the use of the computer or the Internet, but use of scanners, printers etc. are usually extra.

Electricity
In Istanbul, elect= ricity is supplied at 220 volts with plugs of two round prongs. As is not easy= to find adapters in the city, it is advisable to bring your own for use of= any extra electrical item.

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Taxis
All taxis in the city (a total of 22,000 = !) carry a meter. If the meter does not appear to be working, it is advisa= ble to change taxis. The night fare commences after midnight ends at 6.00am= .

Time
The whole country is in one time zone with a daylight saving period, so it is always two hours ahead of GMT. Daylight saving starts around April and ends around October.

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National Holidays
January 1st : New Year’s Day, April 23rd : National Independence and Children's Day, May 19th : Youth and Sports D= ay, August 30th : Victory Day, October 29th : Republic Day. There are two o= ther religious holidays, of which the times vary greatly, as they follow the lunar Islamic calendar of 354 days.

Weight and Mea= surement System
Turkey uses the me= tric system.

Emergency Phone Numbers
Police 155. Traffic police 154. Ambulance= 112. These numbers are all free when you use a regular phone but if you are using a public or a cellular there is a charge.

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What tourists usually buy?
Lea= ther things, carpet, gold, jeans, dishes, antique things, raki (lion milk), rugs, things made of ceramics, engraved souvenirs, herbs and oil, cds w= ith traditional music, natural olive soap, apple tea, natural henna, fatima’s eye (nazar boncugu – the blue eye amulet)

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D= id You Know?

-      Istanbul ha= s a population density of 2,742 people per square mile (1,700 per square k= m) This means Istanbul is the worlds fourth crowded city according to populati= on density.

-      There are t= wo bridges on the Bosphorus Strait connecting Europe to Asia. Now a third one is plann= ed.

-      Grand Baza= ar is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops.

-      Hagia Sophi= a was the largest church in the world for about 900 years.

-      Blue Mosque= is the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets. It's the only one in the city having six of them, which is the maximum number you can have in a mosque.

-      Istanbul wi= ll be European Cultural Capital City in 2010.

-      Is Kule skyscraper at Levent district is the tallest (181 meters - 594 feet) building= between Dubai - Frankfurt on the world map.

-      Istanbul, T= urkey opened its first coffeehouse in 1554. The Turks brought coffee to Austria w= hen their army surrounded Vienna in 1683, laying siege to the city.<= /span>

-      The last ti= me the sea in the Bosphorus froze was in 1954 when people were able to cross from = one side of the strait to the other walking on the huge pieces of ice.

-      Europe’s largest shopping mall is in Istanbul. Istanbul alone has 42 operating shopping malls and around that nu= mber is under construction.

-      Istanbul Sea Buses and Ferries Corporation which belongs to t= he Municipality of Istanbul is now the company who carries most seaborne passengers in the world (around 90 million passengers per year and 5 million vehicles). The company was established in 1987 and merged with Istanbul City Lines in 2005 (established 1854). (2008)

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