Category: Uncategorized

Traffic is running from the right in Turkey. While crossing streets in big cities, make sure that the vehicles are at a reasonable distance to allow you cross the street safely. In Turkey, cars have the privilege to use the streets. You can safely walk on the pedestrian walk ways

Silk industry, had taken a very important place of various nations from ancient times where silk and spice were coming from Far East and played an important role for Western world in international relations. Silk is also maintained the identification of Eastern Culture by Western societies. Transportation of silk and spice of east via caravans, is formed the commercial roads reaching to Europe from China. In Medieval Age, commercial caravans, had started to their voyages from today’s Chinese Xian city, and reach to the Kashgar city of Uzbekistan; they were reaching to Hazar Sea from Afghanistan plains with following the first one of the roads separated into two there; and to Anatolia over Iran with climbing over Karakorum Mountains with other one.

They were going to Europe via road over Thrace or via maritime lines from Anatolia. In this commercial movement improving from east to west, a road network, used since previous ages, had been benefited. These thousands of kilometers long caravan roads, which allow cultural relations between continents besides dense transportation of silk, porcelain, paper, spice and jewelry, are named as “Silk Road” in the course of time.

Silk Road, beyond being a commercial road connecting Asia to Europe, is holding the signs of cultures, religions and races, who lived in the region for 2000 years, and serves an extraordinary history and cultural wealth.

After gaining of independence of Middle Asia Turkish Republics, re – animation of silk road both as a commercial road and also a historical and cultural value is considered, and works for protection and existence of structures which are constructed throughout this road but not used today with giving them new functions, is commenced. Anatolia is formed on one of the most important junction points of Silk Road from China to reaching to Europe through passing over Middle Asia.

In addition to the existing social values of families living in a big city, the Turkish people have retained some distinctive values of their own. One is an immense courtesy towards guests and visitors and a tendency to lavish hospitality upon them, no matter how costly. Another is an abiding respect for their family and its senior members. Another Turkish value is a strong respect for hard work and determination. And above all, there is a sense of humor and a love of life and music. One 19th century English ambassador noticed that the people of Turkey loved to sing and dance whenever they could.

Many things have changed in Turkey since his time, but not that. Hospitality is an integral part of Turkish culture. Friends, relatives, and neighbors often visit each other. The tradition of hospitality dictates that visitors are always invited in and offered something to drink and something to eat. Turks go to great lengths to make their guests feel comfortable and may even tolerate behavior that they consider inappropriate. In general, the Turkish people are open-minded, hospitable and well educated.

General: Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, motorbikes, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans or other transport vehicles, will have to provide the following documentations:

– Passport.
– International driving license.
– Car license (document where all details related to the car and the owner’s name are registered). If it is somebody else’s vehicle a power of attorney should be provided.
– International green card (Insurance card). The TR sign should be visible.
– Transit book “Carnet de passage” (for those who want to proceed to the Middle East).

Period: The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 Months. The owner should declare on the opposite form, the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely ve the country at the date declared. If for any important reason the staying period has to be ended, it is necessary to apply to;

The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu)
Address: 1. Sanayi Sitesi Yani, 4.Levent, Istanbul
Phone + 90 (212) 282 81 40 (7 lines).
Fax

or to

The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu)
Ulus Ankara
Phone + 90 (312) 310 38 80, 310 38 18
Fax + 90 (312) 311 13 46, before the end of the period declared.

In Case of Accident: The accident should be reported to the police or gendarme. That report has to be certified by the nearest local authority. The owner should apply to the customs authority with his passport and report.

If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the customs authority first and take the vehicle to a garage. If the vehicle is not repairable and if the owner wishes to leave the country without his vehicle, he has to deliver it to the nearest customs office, and the registration of his vehicle on his passport will be cancelled. (Only after the cancellation can the owner of the vehicle leave the country.)

Following an accident, you can telephone:

– Trafik Polisi (Traffic Police), Phone: 154,
– Jandarma (Gendarme), Phone: 156.

For more information, contact the Touring and Automobile Association of Turkey.

For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required:

– Pets have to be 3 months and older
– An International Certificate of Health issued within 15 days before the travel
– The Identification Card
– Vaccination Card

Note: If you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country. To get information for the importation of pets, please see the Consular Services.