No other nation spans two continents, incorporating such topographical diversity, so many strata of archeological wonders, and as much disparate natural beauty as Turkey. The northern Black Sea shores are cool and green, interspersed with lush rain forests and alpine mountains, while the hot, southern coasts are lined with magnificent Rocky Mountains reaching down to beaches varying from pebbles to smooth, white sand. The flat Anatolian Plateau is interrupted here and there by lakes and hills or low mountains. The eastern portion of the country has alkaline volcanic lakes and is characterized by desert-like sparseness and impressive, stark mountains.

Amidst this natural setting are nestled countless artifacts, proof of the extraordinary role this land has played throughout history — from biblical Mount Ararat, a pilgrimage site for climbers in search of Noah’s Ark, to the incomparable vitality and bustle of Istanbul. To come upon the natural “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia, whose distinctive stone hills were carved out to create dwellings, churches, and monasteries, some still ornate with age-old frescoes, or to crawl through the underground troglodyte cities nearby, is to imagine a civilization like none other. To see the exquisite riches of the ancient Hittite civilizations and the imposing amphitheaters of old is, simply, to delight in the history of man.

To live in Turkey is not just to be tempted by the infinite sites to explore or seas to sail. It is to indulge in the delectable cuisine; to shop, bargaining for carpets, “kilims,” and copperware; and, always, to be challenged and surprised. Turks are among the world’s most gracious, hospitable people (except when driving). Yet the Turks have a society in which old and new, West and East, various ethnic groups and religious strains struggle to live harmoniously that has become second nature to them. Infinite proverbs and polite phrases, known to all Turks, serve as a universal tonic when times are bad and shared salutations in happy moments. They indicate a bond between the common good and the will to develop and persevere as a nation despite all the difficulties and divisions the country confronts.

Turkey’s importance has not diminished with the end of the Cold War. As successor to the vast and influential Ottoman Empire, the modern Republic of Turkey lies in a position strategic to the interests of many nations, including the U.S., whose futures depend to some greater or lesser extent on Turkey’s future. Turkey borders the Middle East, the newly independent states of the Caucasus and central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean; its international influence is substantial. Domestically, Turkey struggles with chronically high inflation, an oversized public sector, and the need to support and capture a large unofficial economy. The country endeavors to balance the aspirations of its citizens of Kurdish descent and its conflict with the separatist terrorists of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), and to contend with difficult neighbors on all sides. Turkey’s politics and economy are complicated and intriguing; no Foreign Service officer could possibly be bored in Turkey.

Atatürk, the founder and father of modern Turkey, coined the still popular saying, “Ne mutlu Türküm diyene” (“Happy is he who says, “I am a Turk.”). A foreigner will never fully comprehend what it means to be a Turk, nor will a foreigner ever feel he or she has learned all this country has to offer. It is a fascinating place with endless challenges for the outsider. The first thing a newcomer to Turkey is likely to hear is “Hos Geldiniz”(“Welcome.”). Most find it a pleasure to respond sincerely with the traditional “Hos Bulduk” (“Pleased to be here.”).

The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:31 AM

Aside from Russia, Turkey is the largest country in Europe. Its 296,185 square miles lie between the Aegean, Black, and Mediterranean Seas. It stretches about 950 miles from west to east and 400 miles from north to south. Thrace, the European portion of Turkey, ends at the Bosphorus Strait where Anatolia and Asia begin. Anatolia is a high plateau bounded by the Pontic Mountains on the north, the Taurus Mountains on the south, and stretches to the peak of Mount Ararat (nearly 17,000 feet high) among the Caucasus Mountains in the east. Mountain ranges give way to narrow coastal plains on the northeast and south, and to treeless valleys between rolling hills and low mountains in the center.

The climate varies a great deal across Turkey. Precipitation is highest on the Black Sea, where, in Rize, an average of 98 inches of rain falls each year. Ankara averages only 14 inches (chiefly accumulating from November to May), and Antalya on the south coast gets about 28 inches. Istanbul has an average of 25 inches of annual precipitation. The plateau region has hot with very dry summers and temperatures in July that range from the mid-70s to the low 90s. The skies are almost always clear and cloudless during the day and nights are cool. Winters in this region are generally windy and cold (the mean temperature for January is 30°F). Around the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul, the average temperature is 83°F in July and 35°F in January. The south coast has long summers that are often hot and humid both night and day in the midsummer months (the average temperature in mid-August is 94°F), but it is very pleasant in spring and autumn. Winters in the south are usually fairly mild. The north coast Black Sea region tends to have cooler summers and warmer winters than the other coastal areas.

Turkey’s variety of climates allows for the production of a large diversity of crops, from subtropical bananas, figs, tobacco, cotton, and citrus fruits to cereal grains on the plateau and tea on the wet Black Sea coast.

Population Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:36 AM

Turkey’s population of 64.5 million is increasingly becoming urban. According to the 2000 census, just 35% of the population lives in rural areas. Much of this rural out-migration originates in the underdeveloped east; especially areas in the southeast previously affected by the PKK insurgency. Villagers continue to flock to the country’s three-largest cities: Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. According to official figures, they account for approximately ¼ of the country’s population, though unofficial estimates put that number at closer to 1/3. Overall, however, annual growth rate dropped to 1.5%, from 2.1% for the previous census period. Rural migrants continue to face hardship in adjusting to city life, with life in squatter areas increasingly becoming detached from the cities they surround.

The 1923 Lausanne Treaty helped define the nature of Turkish society. It gave a special status to three religious minorities in Turkey: Greek Orthodox, Armenian, and Jews (most of whose ancestors had been accepted as refugees by the Ottoman Empire in 1492 after they were expelled from Spain). The treaty, which Turkey still respects, defined all others in Turkey, the vast majority, simply as Muslims. It recognized neither ethnic nor sectarian divisions in this ethnically and religiously heterodox state.

Over 99% of Turks are Muslims; the vast majority are Sunni, but there is a significant population of Turkish Alevis (whose beliefs are akin to those of Shi’a Muslims but whose religious practices are much less rigid), and among the Sunnis, a large number are attached to mystical Sufi brotherhoods. It is noticeable, especially in the large cities, how minimally the strictures of Islam affect the lives of some Turks. Many drink alcohol, do not restrict their diets, and rarely, if ever, attend prayer. In the cities, women can be seen in attire that fully covers them, head to toe, walking alongside relatively scantily clad women wearing the latest in Western fashions. Inhabitants of rural areas are much more conservative.

Despite the official nonrecognition of ethnic identity as a legitimate organizing principle, many Turkish citizens are becoming increasingly aware of their ethnic origins. The collapse of the Iron Curtain allowed Turks to reconnect with the homelands in the former Soviet Union their ancestors had been forced to abandon in the 19th century. Recent civil war in the Balkans, a former Ottoman domain, has awakened long-dormant feelings of connection. The rise of Kurdish nationalism also triggered various ethnic groups to rediscover their roots.

By some estimates, the population of the Turkish Republic at its inception included people from as many as 80 different ethnic backgrounds; but as the Republic’s founder Atatürk maintained, one and all are “Turks.” Turkish is the only official language, but large numbers of ethnic Kurds and Arabs continue to speak those languages as a mother tongue. The government long insisted on the exclusive use of Turkish as a tool to build and unite the nation. There have been recent calls to liberalize this policy in order to strengthen Turkey’s bid for membership in the European Union.

Ethnic Kurds constitute Turkey’s largest ethnic and linguistic subgroup and number as many as 12 million. Turkey’s southeastern region is mainly Kurdish, though more than half of the Kurds in Turkey now live outside of this area. Between 1984–99, the southeast had been an area of great unrest due to clashes between Turkish government forces and the PKK, a separatist terrorist group seeking to establish an independent Kurdish state encompassing much of southeastern Turkey as well as parts of Iran, Iraq, and Syria. With the capture and trial of PKK leader Öcalan in 1999, that conflict has largely subsided.

Public Institutions Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:39 AM

Mustafa Kemal, a Turkish World War I hero, later known as “Atatürk” or “Father of the Turks,” founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923 after the collapse of the 600-year-old Ottoman Empire. At its peak, the Ottoman Empire stretched from southern Spain and Morocco in the west to Saudi Arabia and Iran in the east, and almost to Vienna in the north.

The Empire weakened over time as it failed to keep up with European social and technological developments and came under pressure from other powers. The rise of nationalism within the Empire impelled numerous groups to seek independence, leading to the Empire’s fragmentation. This process culminated in the Empire’s disastrous participation in World War I as a German ally.

Turkey was defeated and in the postwar Treaty of Sevres was reduced to a rump state limited to what is now the central part of modern Turkey. European forces even occupied parts of Anatolia, a fact that many Turks still bitterly remember. Turkish nationalists, however, rallied under Atatürk’s leadership, and expelled invading Greek forces from Anatolia after a bitter war. The victorious Turks repudiated the Treaty of Sevres and signed the Treaty of Lausanne, which, with some later modifications, recognized the Republic of Turkey in its present day borders.

Atatürk, supported by urban elites, many landed notables, and, most importantly, his wartime followers, abolished the Ottoman structure and abolished the temporal and religious ruling institutions of the old Empire (the Sultanate and the Caliphate). In its place, he established a republic with secularism, nationalism, modernization, and a European orientation as its guiding principles. Social, political, linguistic, and economic reforms and attitudes introduced by Atatürk before his death in 1938 continue to have strong influence in Turkey today.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly, Turkey’s Parliament, opened in 1920. Atatürk was its first speaker. The Turkish Republic was formally established in 1923. Atatürk announced the goals of “Peace at Home, Peace in the World,” a slogan that has defined Turkish foreign policy ever since.

Turkey stayed neutral through much of World War II, entering on the Allied side shortly before the war ended. Demands by the Soviet Union for military bases in the Turkish Straits, combined with difficulties faced by Greece after World War II in quelling a Communist rebellion, prompted the U.S. to declare the Truman Doctrine in 1947. The doctrine enunciated American intentions to guarantee the security of Turkey and Greece and resulted in large scale U.S. military and economic aid. Turkey joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952 after participating with UN forces in the Korean conflict.

One-party rule under Atatürk’s leadership gave way to multiparty democracy in 1950. Domestic political crises sparked military interventions in 1960, 1973, and 1980, but in each case the military returned power to civilians in a relatively short period of time. Civilian governments have ruled continuously since 1983.

The present structure of the Turkish State was established by the military sponsored 1982 Constitution, which has been amended several times by civilian governments. Parliament is continuing a series of constitutional reforms intended to bring Turkey's legal framework closer to EU criteria. There are executive and legislative branches and an independent judiciary. There are approximately 50 political parties today, three of which are represented in parliament. There are 550 members of the single-chamber parliament. The voting age is 18. Elections must be held at least every 5 years. The President, currently Ahmet Necdet Sezer, serves one 7-year term. Sezer was elected by Parliament in 2000. A constitutionally mandated National Security Council, which has a slight preponderance of civilian members but provides a forum for the Turkish General Staff to put forth its views forcefully, advises the government on security issues.

The political spectrum is complex, even though few major issues divide the competing right-of-center and left-of-center parties. Islam-influenced AK (Justice and Development) Party won an almost-two-thirds majority of seats in November 2002 elections, leaving left-of-center CHP (Republican People’s Party) a distant second, with once-predominant DYP (True Path Party) holding only one seat.

Turkey is a secular Muslim democracy. First applying to the European Economic Community (now the European Union) in 1963, Turkey joined the EU Customs Union as of 1996. In 1999, the EU invited Turkey to become a candidate for membership. Commencement of accession negotiations, however, depends on Turkey’s passing and implementing more legal reforms, including amending the constitution.

Turkey is increasing its ties with the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, especially those with a shared Turkish culture and history. Turkey continues to play an important role in efforts to resolve regional conflicts in Iraq, the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and Cyprus. It has long been a NATO member and lies astride what could become key pipeline routes to transfer oil and natural gas from the Caucasus and central Asia to Western markets.

Arts, Science, and Education Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:41 AM

Turks maintain a high regard for the arts, both for their own traditional heritage and for creativity beyond their borders. While Istanbul is by far the more sophisticated city, Ankara enjoys an active cultural arena of its own. Ankara has eight state owned theaters, one of which is dedicated to opera and ballet (and includes a modern dance company). The state companies are energetic and creative given its tight budgets, and their performances are well worth the nominal fee for tickets. A number of private theaters offer other forms of entertainment. Both Ankara and Istanbul have annual performing arts festivals that host a great variety of artists, both local and from abroad. Istanbul’s International Festival of Culture and the Arts bring in renowned artists from across the globe to perform in its many theaters. Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir each have a symphony orchestra that gives regular concerts.

Turkish folk dancing and singing performances can be seen throughout the country. The numerous ethnic groups in Turkey make for a colorful array of dances and songs. Each December brings a week long festival in Konya, where the Mevlevi order of dervishes, known as the “Whirling Dervishes,” twirls in long, white robes and hats to the ethereal music of the Turkish flute.

The Ankara and Izmir Turkish American Associations (TAA) schedule cultural presentations by American and Turkish artists as well as lectures, tours, hobby clubs, discussion groups, and film showings. Of special interest among the activities carried on by other cultural centers in Ankara is the French Cine Club, which regularly screens recent French films. The British, German, and Italian cultural centers also sponsor concerts, lectures, and performances by national artists. Museums, diplomatic cultural centers, and galleries hold art exhibits in major cities.

Archeological excavations are underway in various parts of Turkey. Gordion (within 100 kilometers of Ankara), Sardis, and Aphrodisias are among centers of archeological work on ruins dating from Hittite through Ottoman times. Among these enticing sites are Ephesus (Efes), Bergama, and Troy in western Turkey.

Turkey has made great strides in establishing a modern educational system since the Ottoman religious school system was abolished in the early years of the Republic. Primary and secondary public education is free and coeducational. Eight years of schooling is compulsory. In the large cities, the system offers primary, secondary, and university education; but some villages still lack even a primary school.

Most major cities have private secondary schools with curriculums in English, French, or German. The adult literacy rate in Turkey is about 81%.

Turkey has 71 universities, 54 state-supported and 17 private, as well as a number of technical schools. The first private university, Bilkent University, was established in 1986 using English as its medium. Both Baskent University in Ankara and Koç University in Istanbul were established in 1993 and are also English medium. Admission to universities is based on competitive examinations. As in many countries, children of upper and middleclass families more frequently receive the secondary school education necessary to pass university entrance examinations.

Ankara University, Hacettepe University, Middle East Technical University, (METU), Gazi University, Bilkent University, and Baskent University, all in Ankara, offer degrees in a broad range of fields, including the humanities, science, engineering, and, at Ankara University, agriculture. Several universities offer degrees in medicine.

Istanbul has seven major universities. The most prominent are Istanbul University and Istanbul Technical University, Koç University (noted above), and Bogaziçi (Bosphorus) University, the oldest English medium university, established in 1971 when the former Robert College was turned over to the Turkish Government. Bogaziçi University recently received a grant from the U.S. Government to establish a J. William Fulbright Chair of American Studies. To facilitate the success of this program, Bogaziçi will be given an extensive American Studies library collection. Robert College continues as a separate, now secondary, institution supported by the U.S. Government and private sources.

Commerce and Industry Last Updated: 10/1/2003 3:51 PM

From the establishment of the Republic until the early 1980s, Turkey had an insulated, state directed economy. The early 1980s, however, brought an economic turnaround based on increased reliance on market forces, export led development, lower taxes, integration with the world economy, and privatization. These reforms gave Turkey the highest average annual growth rates over the past decade of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country.

Turkey’s economy grew on average about 5% per year over the past 10 years, but growth has been volatile over this period, characterized by a series of sharp upward and downward swings. Average annual inflation of over 70% exacerbated income disparities and accentuated the uncertainties that hung over Turkish markets. Increasing pressure on Turkey’s pegged lira exchange rate led to two crises of investor confidence in November 2000 and February 2001, resulting in large capital outflows from Turkish markets. In reaction to these crises, the Government of Turkey renegotiated its loan program with the IMF, which substantially increased its level of support for Turkey in exchange for a strengthened reform program. One of the key reforms undertaken by Turkey was to move to a free-floating exchange rate regime. This in turn caused a nearly 50% depreciation of the lira over several months in early 2001 (though the lira eventually stabilized and appreciated in real terms during 2002). The year 2001 was a tough year for the Turkish economy. Continuing lack of investor confidence, and resulting capital outflows, led to a 9.7% contraction in the economy, and a high unemployment level of about 12% But throughout 2001 and early 2002, the Government of Turkey continued its IMF-backed reform program and re-established significant investor confidence. The macro-economic results for 2002 were impressive: growth of about 6.5%; inflation cut in half to 32%. As Turkey enters 2003 under a new Government, the major economic question is whether the remarkable turn-around achieved in 2002 will continue.

Turkey’s long-term potential, however, is bright. The structural reforms being implemented now will establish a solid base for future growth. Its dynamic private sector and the customs union with the EU are powerful forces for growth. The fundamentals that made Turkey the fastest growing country in the OECD during the 1980s have not changed and, in many respects, have even improved.

Agriculture remains an important sector of the economy as well as a key focus of U.S. exports. The sector employs 38% of the labor force. Crops include grains, cotton, hazelnuts, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables. It is an important market for U.S. tobacco, soybeans and soybean products, rice, wood logs, cotton for quality blue denim, tallow for making soap, and breeding and feeder cattle.

In early 1994, the U.S. Department of Commerce designated Turkey as one of the world’s 10 Big Emerging Markets (BEM’s). The best commercial prospects for U.S. exporters and investors are in energy, telecommunications, environment, transport, and textiles.

Energy. The Turkish Government is encouraging foreign companies to invest in the power sector. Electrical energy demand in Turkey is growing by approximately 8% per year. Currently, U.S. firms are pursuing seven Build Operate Transfer power projects. The future is also bright for suppliers of autogeneration, transmission and distribution, and renewable energy technology.

Telecommunications. Turkey has an advanced telecommunications system, most of which was built after 1980. The vast majority of the system consists of digital equipment and fiber-optic cable. In 2000, Turkey announced its intention to privatize 99% of the state-run telecommunications monopoly Türk Telekom, with the state retaining a single “golden” share. The landline monopoly of Türk Telekom is set to end in 2005, leaving the market open for competition. Turkey presently has three GSM cellular phone companies, Türkcell (the largest), Telsim, and Aria. Türk Telekom was granted a GSM 1800 license as a sweetener for its privatization, but the operations of its cellular subsidiary Aycell have not yet been launched. The Internet in Turkey has been stifled by the economic crisis, but has strong future growth potential. Many of Turkey's successful Internet service providers are connected to large holding companies and, therefore, have the backing to undertake large projects. They are presently disadvantaged, however, by Turkey's Internet infrastructure, which siphons most traffic through the Türk Telekom-operated firm TTNet. Privatization of Türk Telekom may help this situation, however.

Environment. In 1991, a Ministry of Environment was established, increasing the attention paid to environmental issues. New regulations regarding sewage, medical waste, and power plant emissions, among others, will add to the growth of this sector. Major projects are under development for air quality control, solid waste disposal, and municipal wastewater treatment and water provision.

Transport. The Turkish Government gives special priority to major infrastructure projects in the transport sector. Although most state investments were put on hold in 1994, the government later announced the resumption of planning for many airport, port, and highway projects.

Textiles. The textile sector is Turkey’s largest manufacturing industry and its largest export sector. Quotas have limited sales in Western Europe as well as the U.S. These restrictions are to be removed by January 1, 2005, under the global phase out of textile quotas called for in the Uruguay Round. Turkey’s textile sector is highly concentrated on production of cotton items such as bathrobes and t-shirts. Other principal growth sectors are tourism, automobiles, and electronics.

Transportation

Automobiles Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:49 AM

Before importation documents can be processed to clear a vehicle from customs, both the vehicle and owner must have arrived in Turkey. If the car is shipped by sea, it is advisable to obtain marine insurance coverage. Arrangements for this may be made through the U.S. Dispatch Agent or an insurance company in the U.S. Automobiles are generally shipped to the European Logistical Support Office (ELSO) Antwerp, Belgium, and then trucked to Turkey.

A car may be driven into Turkey. Customs officials will enter details of the automobile in your passport at the border crossing point and provide you with a document that directs you to report to a customs warehouse at your destination within 48 hours in order to process importation documents. As soon as you arrive at post, notify the customs personnel in the General Services Office (GSO). It takes at least 1½ weeks to clear cars through customs whether or not you have diplomatic status. If driven, the automobile must be covered by international third-party liability insurance, commonly referred to as “green card insurance:”

To complete importation procedures and obtain license plates, Turkish law requires that the car be covered by Turkish traffic insurance underwritten by a Turkish insurance company (or a foreign firm licensed to do business in Turkey), and that the car be in safe operating condition as certified through an inspection by Turkish traffic police. Upon arrival of your vehicle, GSO’s Customs Unit will assist with all formalities, including taking the vehicle for its initial inspection. The vehicle must be equipped with a first aid kit, a warning triangle, and, during the winter season, snow chains. You may wish to ship these items; they also can be purchased locally.

Some vehicles can be purchased locally, duty free, depending upon availability at any given time. Locally produced cars are more economical, and parts are readily available. Customs clearance formalities for locally purchased cars are the same as for cars purchased outside Turkey. The Turkish car manufacturer must deliver the locally purchased car to Turkish customs in the name of the buyer. The Embassy or Consulate can then clear the car from customs without paying any customs duties after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara issues an importation document. The Catch 22 is that if you want to sell your Turkish manufactured car at the end of your assignment here, the buyer must then pay customs duties. Since customs clearance procedures are complicated and time consuming, Turkish customers generally prefer to buy cars directly from a local car dealership, even if the price is higher.

As of November 1995, a new law has come into effect prohibiting the sale of diplomatic vehicles that are more than 2 years old to those not entitled to tax exemption, which means most Turkish citizens. Vehicles more than 2 years old may be sold to individuals in the same tax-exempt status or to other diplomats. The certificate of ownership determines the age of the car.

Diplomatic personnel must present two identification size photographs, a Turkish diplomatic identity card, and a valid U.S. drivers license in order to obtain a Turkish drivers license.

Rental cars are available commercially but are more expensive than in the U.S. If you plan to drive immediately upon arrival, it is best to obtain an international drivers license before departing for post.

Replacement parts for older American and European cars are generally available locally, but parts for newer models are more difficult to find. Cars sometimes have difficulty coping with the relatively poor quality gasoline here. Parts for Renaults, Fiats, Hondas, and Chevrolets are easy to find in Turkey. We suggest that employees ship in household effects or send via APO a supply of basic car parts such as gas filters, shock absorbers, tune-up kits, plugs, fan belts, and fuses. The U.S. military base exchanges (BX’s) in Adana and Izmir have very limited stocks of spare parts for U.S. and some European cars. You may special-order certain parts not normally in stock, but usually this requires a long wait. Ordering from parts dealers or manufacturers in the U.S. is also possible, keeping in mind APO size limitations.

Automobile repair shops all over Turkey are capable of most types of repairs. Labor charges are relatively low. The quality of work varies according to the type of job; for instance, electronic ignition and fuel injection jobs may require a search for a specialist.

Super grade gasoline (about 96 octane) and unleaded fuel are available at stations in and near major cities and along main highways. Regular grade gasoline (about 84 octane) and diesel fuel are available in all parts of Turkey. AAFES coupons for unleaded and diesel gasoline are available at the BX at the Ankara Support Facility.

Roads. Turkey’s main highways are generally well paved and properly maintained. However, there are traffic hazards such as slow-moving farm equipment and animals; overloaded trucks, buses, and cars passing on hills; and vehicle repairs made on the roadway. When driving in Turkey’s countryside, it is wise to expect the unexpected. The construction of new superhighways on some frequently traveled routes (e.g., from Ankara to Istanbul) has improved cross-country driving considerably. Winter snows and ice require caution in city and highway driving, and even a light rain can cause surfaces to become extremely slippery. Traffic moves on the right. Turkey uses the same international system of road signs as the in the European Union. Domestic intercity bus service is inexpensive, extensive, and comfortable.

City streets are crowded with all sorts of vehicles. Streets are often narrow, and traffic congestion is an increasing problem, especially in Istanbul and Ankara. Although traffic moves on the right, “dolmus” (shared minibuses traveling set routes) and regular taxis, among others, do not always observe this rule or other traffic regulations such as red lights or one-way roads. This eccentricity can be confusing and dangerous. Recently published statistics stated that an average of 15 deaths from traffic accidents occur daily in Turkey. Even the experienced driver must always be on the defensive and alert.

Cities have municipal bus systems that are cheap and extensive but do not necessarily adhere to any set schedule. Dolmus (minibuses) also run along bus routes for a slightly higher fee. Taxis are plentiful, convenient, and metered. Dolmus and taxi fares are fixed.

Rail, Air, and Sea Transportation. Turkish State Railways provides rail service to many points within Turkey and has routes connecting to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Direct rail service is offered from major European cities to Istanbul. Railway service is usually slower than bus service, but dining and sleeping cars on domestic lines help make the trip comfortable.

Various airlines provide regular passenger and freight services to Istanbul, Ankara. Turkish Airlines (THY) flies daily to many domestic and international destinations. The airport in Istanbul is the country’s primary international airport. Antalya’s airport is also a hub, especially for tourist groups in the summer. More than 20 airlines connect Turkey with all parts of the world.

Turkish Maritime Lines provides ferry service for passengers and automobiles between Europe and Asia in Istanbul (to cross the Bosphorus) and at Çanakkale (to cross the Dardanelles). Turkish Maritime Lines also provides service to Adriatic, Aegean, and Mediterranean seaports. There is a ferry that travels from Venice to Izmir.

Transportation

Local Transportation Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:52 AM

Turkey’s main highways are generally well paved and properly maintained. However, there are traffic hazards such as slow-moving farm equipment and animals; overloaded trucks, buses, and cars passing on hills; and vehicle repairs made on the roadway. When driving in Turkey’s countryside, it is wise to expect the unexpected. The construction of new superhighways on some frequently traveled routes (e.g., from Ankara to Istanbul) has improved cross-country driving considerably. Winter snows and ice require caution in city and highway driving, and even a light rain can cause surfaces to become extremely slippery. Traffic moves on the right. Turkey uses the same international system of road signs as the in the European Union. Domestic intercity bus service is inexpensive, extensive, and comfortable. City streets are crowded with all sorts of vehicles. Streets are often narrow, and traffic congestion is an increasing problem, especially in Istanbul and Ankara. Although traffic moves on the right, “dolmus” (shared minibuses traveling set routes) and regular taxis, among others, do not always observe this rule or other traffic regulations such as red lights or one-way roads. This eccentricity can be confusing and dangerous. Recently published statistics stated that an average of 15 deaths from traffic accidents occur daily in Turkey. Even the experienced driver must always be on the defensive and alert.

Cities have municipal bus systems that are cheap and extensive but do not necessarily adhere to any set schedule. Dolmus (minibuses) also run along bus routes for a slightly higher fee. Taxis are plentiful, convenient, and metered. Dolmus and taxi fares are fixed.

Transportation

Regional Transportation Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:52 AM

Turkish State Railways provides rail service to many points within Turkey and has routes connecting to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Direct rail service is offered from major European cities to Istanbul. Railway service is usually slower than bus service, but dining and sleeping cars on domestic lines help make the trip comfortable. Various airlines provide regular passenger and freight services to Istanbul, Ankara. Turkish Airlines (THY) flies daily to many domestic and international destinations. The airport in Istanbul is the country’s primary international airport. Antalya’s airport is also a hub, especially for tourist groups in the summer. More than 20 airlines connect Turkey with all parts of the world.

Turkish Maritime Lines provides ferry service for passengers and automobiles between Europe and Asia in Istanbul (to cross the Bosphorus) and at Çanakkale (to cross the Dardanelles). Turkish Maritime Lines also provides service to Adriatic, Aegean, and Mediterranean seaports. There is a ferry that travels from Venice to Izmir.

Communications

Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:54 AM

All homes for Embassy personnel have telephones. The lines and service are generally very good. The Embassy and the Consulate General in Istanbul maintain switchboards that are open 24 hours a day and can assist employees in making calls during and after business hours.

Calls to the U.S. can be placed using AT&T, MCI, or Sprint phone cards. Calls to the U.S. are currently about $5.00 for the first minute and $1.59 every minute thereafter using AT&T, or about $1.70 a minute if placed directly through local PTT with no initial connection charge. Callback services are also available. Figures shown are based on weekday rates and, as in the U.S., weeknight and weekend rates are considerably cheaper. Calls to other countries besides the U.S. are cheaper using the local PTT rather than U.S. companies.

Communications

Internet Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:55 AM

Internet Service Providers (ISP). Ankara has several very reliable Internet Service Providers, which include Marketweb, Superonline, ATTGlobal, and AOL as well as local and other lesser-known ISPs.

Communications

Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:56 AM

International airmail letter service to and from the U.S. is reliable; letters from Washington to Ankara (and vice versa) usually take 7 to 12 days. Package deliveries via international mail are less reliable. U.S. Government personnel are authorized to use the APO for letter and parcel mail. Currently, an APO representative arrives at the Embassy once a week for all outgoing mail requiring special treatment such as being insured, registered, or certified. These hours are also used for mailing packages since the Embassy cannot provide this service. First-class mail to and from the U.S. via APO generally takes 10 to 14 days.

Personnel assigned to Turkey will be using one of the following addresses:

Ankara: APO Full Name American Embassy Ankara PSC 93 Box 5000 APO AE 09823–5000

Local Address

Full Name Amerikan Büyükelçiligi Atatürk Bulvari, 110 06688 Kavaklidere Ankara, Türkiye

Istanbul:

APO Full Name American Consulate General Istanbul PSC 97 Box 0002 APO AE 09827–0002

Local Address Full Name Amerikan Konsoloslugu Istinye Mahallesi Kaplicalar Mevkii No. 2 Istinye, Istanbul Türkiye TR-34460

Adana:

APO Full Name American Consulate Adana PSC 94 APO AE 09824

Local Address Full Name Amerikan Konsoloslugu Atatürk Bulvari ve Vali Yolu Bossa Apartmani Adana, Türkiye

Izmir:

APO Full Name U.S. Consular Agency Izmir PSC 88 Box 5000 APO AE 09821

Local Address Full Name U.S. Consular Agent Schit Nevres Bulvari, 23/2 Alsancak, Izmir 35210 Turkiye

Communications

Radio and TV Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:57 AM

Both privately owned and state-owned radio and television stations broadcast in Turkey. Turkish Radio and Television (TRT, state-owned) operates four radio and five television networks. Most of the population, however, tunes into the half dozen most popular privately owned television channels.

As of late 1995, there were reportedly 1,200 FM radio and about 200 TV stations operating in Turkey. Eight of the TV channels are nationally televised networks. Cable television is also available and broadcasts several foreign channels, including BBC; CNN International; Eurosport; and German, Italian, and French stations. Some private radio stations are owned by newspapers and some by businessmen. These stations broadcast an assortment of formats, from Turkish and Western pop to classical. VOA and BBC radio can be heard in most of Turkey via short and medium wavebands. VOA Europe programs are broadcast on an FM station in Istanbul 24 hours a day.

TV channels operate on the European standard of 625 lines. The color system is PAL. Armed Forces Network television is available for a fee in U.S. Government-owned housing but requires an American television set. (A multi-system television can be programmed to receive Turkish, cable, and AFN stations.) Twenty of the TV channels are nationally televised. Cable TV operates in most major cities and offers foreign channels. BBC radio airs twice daily by using private TV station NTV radio frequency. National Geographic and Discovery have also Turkish version as part of national broadcasting.

Communications

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals Last Updated: 10/1/2003 11:58 AM

Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir have many shops selling foreign news publications, including the International Herald Tribune, Time, and Newsweek. Several general interest U.S. magazines and many British, French, German, and Italian publications are widely sold. The Turkish Daily News, The Turkish News, weekly Probe, and weekly Briefing are published in English and are available in major Turkish cities. American magazines not sold in Turkey may be ordered through your APO address.

Ankara has Turkish Government libraries and American, British, French, German, and Italian Government cultural services that are open to the public. PAS in Ankara has a library, as does PAS in Istanbul. Istanbul also has several foreign cultural centers.

Health and Medicine

Medical Facilities Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:00 AM

The Embassy has a Health Unit staffed by a regional Foreign Service health practitioner, three registered nurses, and a Turkish MD. The Medical staff in Ankara works with the regional medical officer in Jordan and the regional psychiatrist in Cairo, who visit periodically. The Health Unit provides many primary care services, including health promotion and management of acute and chronic health problems. Health problems that are determined to be beyond the expertise of the Health Unit staff (e.g., appendicitis, heart attack, or fracture) will be referred to a local specialist.

The Health Unit is stocked with a variety, but limited supply of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which are dispensed for acute health problems. There is a charge for all medications dispensed in the Health Unit except for immunizations, fluoride supplements, anti-TB and anti-malarial medications. The Health Unit can write prescriptions accepted in the U.S. for needed medications that are not in stock. A 6-month supply of necessary chronic medications (e.g., heart medications, birth control pills) should be brought to post. Diagnostic testing is performed at a local private laboratory or hospital. Not all diagnostic testing is up to American standards and some must be done outside of Turkey, including mammograms.

Turkish hospitals vary greatly. The new, private hospitals in Ankara have the most modern facilities and equipment. Some American women in the Embassy community have opted to have their babies delivered in Turkish hospitals; however, the State Department recommends women be medically evacuated to the U.S. for delivery.

The hospital at the Incirlik Air Base is also available for U.S. Government personnel. Istanbul has a small Health Unit at the Consulate General. Adana Consulate personnel use the facilities at the nearby Incirlik Air Base. The APP in Izmir uses a local hospital for health care. The Medevac point for Turkey is London.

Health and Medicine

Community Health Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:01 AM

The State Department encourages Americans posted to Turkey not to drink the tap water. Bottled spring water is available in restaurants and grocery stores. Tap water should be boiled for 3 minutes after filtering to remove particulate matter. Local wine, bottled soda, fruit juice, and beer are considered safe to drink. Most local dairy products, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, are safe to consume; however, care must be taken when purchasing perishable products from local shops, as many do not have adequate refrigeration.

Locally produced beef, lamb, and poultry can be of good quality but should be purchased from refrigerator-equipped, sanitary shops and cooked thoroughly before eating. In smaller towns lamb may be the only meat available. Fresh fish and seafood are available in major cities in winter but difficult to find in summer months except by the sea. Refrigerated transport of fish may be unreliable in the summer. Fresh vegetables and fruits are excellent but should be washed thoroughly and soaked in a mixture of water, soap and bleach prior to being eaten raw. Raw salads in local restaurants should be avoided.

Turkish cuisine is excellent and should be enjoyed during a tour in Turkey. In the larger cities, restaurants offer both international and local specialties. New arrivals often experience mild stomach upsets before adjusting to local conditions. Even old-timers have periodic stomach problems, especially during the warmer months.

Health and Medicine

Preventive Measures Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:01 AM

Tuberculosis does pose a greater risk in Turkey than in the U.S. and the countrywide incidence is increasing. Yearly tuberculosis testing is recommended. Rabies is prevalent in Turkey, and people are cautioned against handling stray animals. A pre-exposure rabies series is available in the Medical Unit. If you are bitten, post-exposure rabies vaccinations are given. Recommended immunizations for adults and children include meningococcal, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B; it is advised that children have all the recommended childhood immunizations. Immunizations should be obtained prior to arrival at post but may also be obtained in the Health Units at both the Embassy and Consulate General. Newcomers are provided with a Medical Information Handbook and orientation upon arrival at post.

Air pollution is a problem in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Adana. Ankara's air problems have decreased significantly since the introduction of natural gas; however, increased vehicular pollution and the natural bowl configuration of the city still bring a large number of poor air quality days.

Istanbul has a serious air pollution problem that is worst in winter. The pollution can constitute a health hazard, especially to children, smokers, and those with chronic respiratory disorders. Sulfur dioxide levels often far exceed the healthy limits established by the World Health Organization. Those with respiratory problems should consult with the Medical Division prior to accepting an assignment to Turkey.

Employment for Spouses and Dependents Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:03 AM

Family member employment opportunities are very limited. The U.S. and Turkey have signed a bilateral work agreement, so American family members of both diplomatic-accredited staff and administrative and technical-accredited staff may work in the fields of education and academic research (or other job categories as may be agreed on a case-by-case basis) for a period not exceeding 2 years with possible renewals. Foreign Ministry approval of all such requests has been forthcoming since the signing of the bilateral work agreement.

Employment opportunities outside of the U.S. Mission are reserved almost exclusively for Turkish speakers. American firms in Turkey employ a few U.S. nationals in management and scientific and technical positions, but these firms prefer to hire directly from the U.S. to avoid work permit problems. If a job on the local market is found, it is usually for very low pay by American standards.

A few jobs exist in language teaching where a need for fluency in English or other languages is necessary. The Turkish-American Association (TAA) occasionally has an English teaching position available. Persons with special technical or professional skills or with exceptional language capabilities might find opportunities with third country firms, diplomatic missions, or with the United Nations Development Program offices in Ankara, but openings for in country appointments are extremely rare.

Currently, at the U.S. Embassy there are 17 positions for eligible family members. These positions include:

* Community Liaison Office (CLO) Coordinator (two part-time positions) * Roving Secretaries (one full-time, one WAE position) * Secretary in the RSO Office (one part time position) * Registered Nurse in Health Unit (one full time, two part-time) * Courier Escort Position in Information Management Office (one part time) * Logistics Technician in Engineering Security Office (one full time) * Consular Associate in the Consular Section (one full time) * Office Management Assistant in DEA (one full time) * Newsletter Editor (professional contract) * Administrative Assistant in DAO (one full time) * Assistant to Theatre Special Representative (one full time) * Employee Recreation Association (ERA) Manager (association contract; one full time) * Employee Recreation Association (ERA) Store Assistant (one part time).

The Embassy Recreation Association (ERA) currently employs one eligible family member General Manager. At times the Consulates in Istanbul and Adana may have similar job opportunities. Some substitute teaching positions at the Department of Defense Dependents School also exist. However, it is difficult to obtain a full-time teaching contract through Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) when already at post. Family members interested in positions with DoDDS should submit an application (SF-171) prior to arrival in Turkey to DoDDS Recruitment Unit, Team E, 4040 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203–1634. Applications are due to DoDDS by January 15 of the preceding school year if you wish to be considered for full-time employment.

Teaching, staff, and other part-time positions are sometimes also available at the International Kindergarten and Preschool and the British Embassy Study Group.

American Embassy - Ankara

Post City Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:07 AM

Turkey’s capital, Ankara, is located in the western portion of the Anatolian Plateau at an altitude of 3,000 feet. It is situated at the bottom and up the sides of a deep bowl formed by bare, low mountains. The climate is pleasant; its rare extremes of hot and cold are moderated by the year-round dryness of the air and, in summer, by a mild breeze. Smog, though considerably improved in recent years with increased use of natural gas rather than lignite coal, gives the city a drab appearance for much of the winter.

Ankara was a provincial town when Ataturk established the capital along with the new Republic there in 1923. The city is modern, with wide boulevards intersecting at large circles often congested with bustling traffic. The architecture of the many government office buildings is generally a stark, concrete block style.

Pleasant, tree-shaded streets with attractive gardens are disappearing rapidly as the city struggles to keep up with its influx of population. Single-family homes are rare today, having been replaced by a steadily increasing number of large apartment buildings. Nevertheless, modern Ankara has some pleasant parks, many with playground equipment for children (Sidewalks, where present, are often uneven and discontinuous, making the use of strollers less convenient than backpacks for carrying babies.) .

Compared with other cities in Turkey, Ankara is quite livable; where it lacks charm, it gains convenience. Perhaps its most redeeming features are the steep hills upon which Ankara is built, providing for countless panoramic views all over the city.

Ulus, the old city built around the ancient Byzantine citadel situated atop a steep hill, is dramatically different from the rest of Ankara. Its steep, winding streets, mosques, and small houses give it a quaintness and appeal that is lacking in the new parts of the city. Here you may still come upon an Anatolian peasant woman colorfully clad in traditional clothing, kneeling on the cobblestones while she rhythmically beats freshly shorn wool with a stick.

The smell of newly baked bread emanates from crooked, high windows adorned with dangling red peppers. Shops’ wares — copper, carpets, antiques, handmade baskets — even plastics and electrical paraphernalia — overflow into the narrow streets, showing a lackadaisical disregard for contrasts of old and new. Ulus will remain the heart of Ankara, no matter how fashionable or modern other areas of the city become.

Roughly 1,000 Americans live in Ankara, including military and civilian employees of the U.S. Government, exchange students and professors, business representatives, and their families. Except for business representatives from Western Europe, the rest of the foreign community is primarily diplomatic (composed of 113 diplomatic missions). American visitors to Ankara come more often on business than as tourists.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:08 AM

The U.S. has maintained formal relations with Turkey (and its precursor, the Ottoman Empire) since 1830. The Embassy was moved from Istanbul to Ankara in the 1920s after Ankara became the capital of the new Republic of Turkey. The Embassy complex, located at the corner of Ataturk Bulvari and Tandogan Caddesi on Ankara’s “Embassy Row” near the center of the modern city, was constructed in 1953. Embassy working hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Addresses and telephone numbers are as follows:

U. S. Embassy Atatürk Bulvari, 110 06688 Kavaklidere Ankara, Turkey Telephone: (90) (312) 455–5555 Fax: (90)(312) 467–0019

New personnel need to notify the Embassy in advance of their arrival so that they can be met at the airport. Otherwise, new arrivals should take a taxi to the Embassy and contact their agencies on arrival. Taxi service is readily available at the airport and costs about $35 to the Embassy.

The U.S. Mission in Ankara is composed of the Political, Political/Military Affairs, Regional Affairs, Economic, Consular, Public Affairs, and Management Sections and the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), FBI (LEGAT), Defense Communications Support Detachment, Defense Attaches Office, ODC, the Technical Liaison Office (TLO), and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are also in Ankara.

ODC (formerly JUSSMAT) is one of the oldest Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) missions currently in operation. ODC has separate Army, Navy, and Air Force sections, as well as support staff.

Senior members of the Embassy staff and representatives from other elements of the Mission, attend weekly country team meetings, chaired by the Ambassador or, in his absence, the DCM. The country team coordinates the activities of all U.S. Government agencies in Turkey.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:08 AM

The Embassy maintains a few fully furnished apartments for temporary duty personnel. Personnel not housed in guest apartments are accommodated in hotels. Hotel rates usually do not exceed the temporary housing allowance. Several hotels in Ankara have accommodations comparable to good hotels in Washington. The Hilton and Sheraton Hotels are within walking distances of the Chancery.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:11 AM

Government owned. The Ambassador’s residence is a large, modern house located on 10 fenced acres, 5 minutes by car from the Chancery. It has landscaped gardens, spacious lawns, and a panoramic view of the city and hills beyond. Built in 1952, the residence is fully furnished and equipped with six bedrooms (each with bath), a family sitting room, and servants quarters on the second floor; a large reception area, salon, library, sunroom, dining room capable of seating 100 people, and kitchens on the ground floor; and a large reception room, bar/lounge, 100-seat movie theater, laundry room, and three-car garage. The house has ample storage space, a greenhouse, a large parking area, a swimming pool with dressing rooms, and two tennis courts, lighted for night play.

The DCM’s home is a U.S. Government owned property with a nice garden area, approximately three blocks from the Embassy. The house has a full basement (laundry area and storage). The first floor is used for representational events. The home has a guest bedroom with bath, a full bathroom for guests, a large dining area with fireplace, a patio, and a full kitchen. The second floor is reserved as the living area for the DCM and family; it has a full kitchen, a living/dining area, an enclosed sunroom, a family room; a master bedroom, and two additional bedrooms. The attic has two bedrooms, a full bath, and a storage area. The home also has a garage.

Other U.S. Government owned residential units include the Marine Security Guard residence, three staff apartment buildings, and one small house.

Government leased. It is Embassy policy to provide U.S. Government owned or leased, furnished quarters for all U.S. Government employees. The only housing reserved for specific positions are the quarters for the Ambassador, the DCM, and the Marine Security Guards. Housing assignments for all other personnel are made by the Interagency Housing Committee on the basis of family composition, position, grade, and date of arrival at post in accordance with State Department A-171 standards. When possible, housing assignments are made approximately 60 days prior to an employee’s arrival at post.

Most Embassy housing is in apartment buildings in which all housing units are under its control. Such buildings offer advantages in security and comfort: maintenance is simplified, heating is completely controlled, and security devices are installed. In 2000, the housing board voted to move to some dispersed housing (housing on the economy). Since that time, the Embassy has closed several substandard buildings and leased new units on the economy. These units have proved to be of high quality and often cheaper than apartments in the Embassy leased buildings. The Roving Patrol provides security for these apartments.

Most apartments are quite comfortable. Floor plans may differ from those of typical American apartments. Nearly every apartment has one or more small balconies opening from living or dining areas or bedrooms. Most apartments have combined living and dining rooms. Some have fireplaces. Typically floors are marble or concrete covered with linoleum, tile, or parquet flooring. The Embassy provides employees with wall-to-wall carpeting for the bedrooms. Since many apartments have small rooms and limited closet and storage space, it is wise to leave in storage items you think you will not need at post.

Few apartments have much outdoor open space for play. One housing area (Oran Sitesi), located about 5 miles outside of Ankara’s hub, has a fenced-in grassy area with some playground equipment and a small covered pool. Some families, often those with one or two small children, consider the outdoor space and cleaner air of Oran to be worth the extra time spent commuting back and forth from town.

Most personnel live within a 5- to 15-minute drive from the Embassy, depending on the time of day (i.e., on traffic).

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:13 AM

GSO makes an effort to see that government-owned or -leased housing is furnished in a comfortable, tasteful manner. Furniture, furnishings, and equipment issued to State Department personnel are limited to basic sets and are described below; it is usually not possible to supply extra items.

The Inter-Agency Housing Board has approved the following list of household furnishings for all apartments:

Living room furniture:

3-cushion sofa Coffee table 2 end tables w/ 2 tabletop lamps 2 armchairs Larger quarters are provided with additional chairs, a bookcase and a loveseat

Dining Room Furniture: Wooden table w/ seating for 6–12 depending on size of apartment Hutch and china cabinet Server

Den Furniture – Large apartments only – Net over 1900 sq. ft.:

Sofa 2 tall bookcases Coffee Table Easy chair – possibly reclining Easy chair w/ ottoman 2 end tables w/ 2 tabletop lamps Desk and chair

Master Bedroom Furniture:

1 Queen bed Set 2 nightstands w/ 2 lamps 1 chest of drawers 1 dresser 1 easy chair 1 floor lamp

Additional bedroom: 1 twin bed set 1 short chest of drawers 1 student desk w/ bookshelf unit 1 nightstand w/ lamp Bookcases – max. 4 tall per apartment to be supplied by USG Drapes (unlined) and sheers Wall-to-wall carpets in bedrooms and halls Three speed ceiling fans in all occupied bedrooms and living rooms Adequate lighting fixtures and lamps

Electric stove Refrigerator Freezer – as needed Washer Dryer Transformers (max. 5 per household depending on family size) Fire extinguisher 1 humidifier per occupied bedroom 3 air cleaners 1 air conditioner per occupied bedroom

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:14 AM

The electrical power supplied in Ankara is 220v, 50 cycles. Stateside electric clocks and motors (turntables, tape recorders, etc.) will run approximately 16% slower than normal unless they are adapted to 50 cycles.

Nearly all homes occupied by Americans are centrally heated by hot water systems. The principal fuel used in government-leased buildings is diesel oil.

Food Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:15 AM

For daily household needs, local markets offer a good selection of food products and fresh produce. Neighborhood groceries (known as “bakkals”) sell most staples and offer store-to-door delivery. Availability of fresh produce varies seasonally. There are various supermarkets and hypermarkets — the latter usually co-located in large shopping malls with various department and specialty stores.

Generally, most needs can be met on the local market, but imported goods are often expensive and shopping may take several stops, since specialty items often are stocked inconsistently.

There is a small commissary operated through military channels that carries American products. It is about the size of a small U.S. grocery store and is located adjacent to the DoDD School at the Ankara Support Facility (ASF) in Balgat.

Ankara has several restaurants that have become favorites in the foreign community. They offer Turkish, Italian, Chinese, and other international cuisine. Small kebab shops abound, and American type fast food places are ubiquitous with McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Subway, KFC and other well-known franchises in most neighborhoods. Many of these offer home delivery.

Clothing Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:17 AM

Wardrobes can be supplemented easily by buying on the local economy or ordering from catalogs. Clothing stores or tailor-made items of good quality are readily available. Taste in clothing in Turkish circles is similar to American taste, although Turkish women often wear dressier and more formal clothes to many social affairs.

Employees and their spouses should bring clothing appropriate for receptions, cocktail parties, dinner parties, and the occasional formal ball. Male officers at the senior level need black tie evening clothes. Men wear dark suits for presentation of credentials and the Presidential Reception (October 29).

Plan family wardrobes for Ankara’s four-season climate. The summer months bring hot days and cool evenings. Men generally wear lightweight suits during the hot months. Shorts and sleeveless tops are more and more frequently seen on the streets, but women may feel less conspicuous in skirts and shirts with short sleeves. Swimming is a popular pastime during the hot summer months.

Winter months can be cold and windy, requiring clothes similar to those needed for Washington, D.C. winters. Good rain gear, winter boots and gloves, and comfortable walking shoes are useful. It is a Turkish custom to remove shoes upon entering the home; many Americans adopt this practice, in which case slippers are needed to wear indoors during cold months and to offer to guests who remove their shoes when they visit.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:17 AM

There is a small U.S. Military Exchange on the ASF at Balgat (15 minutes drive from the most distant neighborhoods in which official Americans are housed) This facility carries a basic range of household supplies and products with a limited selection of basic clothing and foodstuffs.

In general, toiletries, cosmetics, personal hygiene products, tobacco items, fabrics, toys, small appliances, housekeeping supplies, entertaining needs, greeting cards, household repair items, gasoline coupons, and various other commonly used items, are available at the Exchange. Similar items are generally available on the local market. It is also possible to request special orders through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:18 AM

Local tailors, dressmakers, hairstylists, shoemakers, dry-cleaners, and other assorted service providers are available. Quality of work may vary, but overall, results have been very acceptable.

The Mission Employee Recreation Association (ERA) runs a cafeteria in the Embassy and has a catering service for personal or official entertainment purposes. It also maintains a Shoppette next to the cafeteria with a video club, photograph developing service, t-shirts and other logo gift items, snacks, and an assortment of wines and liquors.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:18 AM

Most personnel employ at least one servant. Salaries for domestics are reasonable (most recent surveys reveal salaries around $25 per day) but will vary depending on required duties, experience, and ability to speak English. Few domestics live in, and most wish to be dismissed by 4 pm or 5 pm.

The Embassy Community Liaison Office (CLO) maintains a list and letters of recommendation of domestics currently seeking employment. Families with young children can find domestics who will look after children (and baby sit evenings when needed) as well as houseclean, but they should expect to pay on the high side. Employers are advised to have domestics checked by the Embassy Security Office and have medical screenings.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:19 AM

The Interdenominational Protestant Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold worship services each Sunday at the DoDDS School. Roman Catholic services are held at the French, Italian, and Vatican Embassies. Anglican services are held at the Church of St. Nicholas (part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion), which is located on the British Embassy compound. The Ankara Baptist Church holds services each Sunday. Most of these groups have active auxiliary organizations. There is a synagogue in the old part of Ankara; however, services are not held on a regular basis.

Education

Dependent Education

At Post Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:23 AM DoDDS operates a school system for kindergarten (full day) through grade 12. The school is at the Ankara Support Facility (ASF) in Balgat. Children of employees of all U.S. Government agencies in Ankara are eligible to enter the elementary and high schools. Other non-Turkish students may be admitted on a space available, tuition-paying basis. The school’s address is:

George C. Marshall School Unit 7010 APO AE 09822 Telephone: (90) (312) 287–2532 Fax: (90) (312) 285-1791 Email: JOE_ROBINSON@eu.odedodea.edu Website: www.ankara-ehs.k12.tr

The annual academic tuition rates are established by DoDDS in Washington, D.C. The post educational allowance covers tuition, which includes the cost of school bus transportation. Registration for eligible children is ongoing throughout the summer. Children can be registered when they arrive in Ankara.

The school curriculum is similar to that of public schools in the U.S. In addition to the regular curriculum, courses sometimes can be arranged to meet students’ special needs. To enter kindergarten a child must be age 5 on or before October 31 of the year he or she enrolls. To enter the first grade a child must be age 6 on or before October 31 of the year he or she enrolls. Admission to the various grades in the high school is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the preceding grade or its equivalent.

The faculty is recruited in the U.S. under the Department of Defense Educational System. At the present time, about 90% of the faculty has master’s degrees; the remainder has bachelor’s degrees. The teachers have had an average of 18 years of experience, and about half of the school’ faculty has been in Turkey over 10 years.

In addition to the usual facilities, the school has a large gymnasium and an outdoor track, soccer field, and playground and well-equipped special-purpose rooms for art, music, general science, biology, chemistry, physics, mechanical drawing, industrial arts, and home economics.

There is a school lunch program for grades Kindergarten–6; 7th–12th graders have option of bringing their lunch or eating at pizza restaurant located next to the school and BX (shoppette). The high school has an active program of extracurricular activities, including interscholastic sports, journalism, band (instruments furnished), choral groups, and host nation activities.

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredit the high school. The school uses the A-B-C-D-F grading system. There is a Parent Teacher Student Organization and School Advisory Council.

The British, French, and German Embassies operate study groups (schools) that enroll students of other nationalities. The British and French Schools go through the equivalent of the primary grades and have three terms per year. The German School extends through the equivalent of grade 10.

Several American Embassy children attend the British Embassy Study Group, which provides a British-style education based on the Common Entrance Examination syllabi for entrance to private schools in the U.K.

The Study Group’ present building, set on the grounds of the British Embassy, was built in 1964. The premises contain classrooms, a well-stocked library, a computer resource room, a hall/gymnasium, and administration offices. There is an active Parent Teacher Association. Entrance priority is given first to British students and next to native English speakers.

The British Embassy Study Group Sehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A

Ankara Phone: 90–312–468–6563 Headmaster: David Draper

Bilkent University Prep School, also an option for U.S. Embassy children, is a private Turkish school whose classes are taught in English. The school has a pregrade 6 "prep" class through grade 12 and class size is limited to 20 students. The curriculum has a structure similar to that of the English National Curriculum but departs from it occasionally to suit the multicultural student body.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum is offered in grades 9 and 10 and the International Baccalaureate curriculum in grades 11 and 12. Bilkent Prep's facilities include a sports hall, a band room and a general music room, two fully equipped science labs, audio/visual rooms, a computer lab, ceramics and art rooms, and ample classrooms. Bilkent also has a newly opened performing arts center with additional practice rooms, dance class facilities and a performance stage. Hot lunch is available in the cafeteria.

Bilkent University Preparatory School East Campus, Ankara Website: www.bupsbis.bilkent.edu.tr Phone: 90-312-266-4961 Director: James DiSebastian High School Principal: Roy Lewis

There are a few excellent preschools taught in English, including the British Embassy Study Group, which accepts children during the term in which they turn 3 years old, and the International Preschool, the Ankara English Preschool as well as Yasemin Preschool (Montessori style).

College degree programs, many of which are taught in English, are available from Turkish universities. Part-time attendance is not common in Turkey. Incirlik Air Base in Adana oversees University of Maryland and City College of Chicago extension programs in Adana and Ankara. The Education Office at the air base can arrange correspondence and video courses.

Education

Dependent Education

Away From Post Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:23 AM Use of facilities away from post is not generally necessary at the primary or secondary level. No away from post education allowance is authorized.

Education

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:25 AM

College degree programs, many of which are taught in English, are available from Turkish universities. Part-time attendance is not common in Turkey. Incirlik Air Base in Adana oversees University of Maryland and City College of Chicago extension programs in Adana and Ankara. The Education Office at the air base can arrange correspondence and video courses.

A limited language program is available at post, funds permitting. Comprehensive Turkish language courses are offered through the Tömer Language Institute. Conversational classes are offered by the TAA. The TAA also has lectures throughout the year on subjects of historical and cultural interest, as does the American Research Institute in Turkey (ARIT). The cultural associations of the French, German, and Italian Embassies offer instruction in those languages at reasonable fees.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 10/28/2003 9:29 AM

Sports in and around Ankara include tennis, softball, bowling, flag football, basketball, jogging, hunting, handball, squash, racquetball, weight lifting, aerobics, fishing, swimming, ice-skating, and skiing. There is an active tennis club run by the ERA that uses the courts at the Ambassador’s residence during the summer. An annual fee is charged for maintenance and upkeep of the courts. Official American Embassy personnel may use the swimming pool at the Ambassador’s residence.

The DoDD School at the ASF in Balgat has a gym, weight room, and racquetball court, which are available after school hours for use by the American community. The Hash House Harriers have an active contingent in Ankara. They gather each Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon to run somewhere in or around the city and occasionally travel to other parts of the country for additional fun on the run.

The Hilton and Sheraton Hotels offer year-round swimming pool/health club memberships. A few Embassy employees are members, but most find the membership fee high. Sports International is a sports and fitness club located near Bilkent University that has attracted many members of the Embassy community.

The facility, built by a U.S. Turkish joint venture, is well maintained and impressive. It has both indoor and outdoor pools, numerous tennis courts, fitness equipment, a gymnasium and separate aerobics room, nutrition and fitness counseling, social areas, a restaurant and a cafe, saunas, solariums, a steam-room, and a large child care/play area.

Membership fees are high, although membership in a comparable fitness club in Washington, D.C. no doubt would be more expensive. There are other small fitness clubs located throughout the city offering workout equipment and aerobics classes.

Fairly good skiing is available in areas not too far from Ankara. The slope closest to the city is Elmadag, which offers a small T-bar lift, a nice lodge and restaurant, and a small hill for sledding. Kartalkaya, near Bolu, about 3½ hours north of Ankara, offers several beginners and intermediate runs and has two large hotels.

Uludag, near Bursa, is a popular, more upscale skiing spot with many good hotels and lifts. More adventurous skiing is available at Mt. Erciyes near Kayseri and near Erzurum in eastern Turkey. Ice-skating and ice hockey are available at a large, modern, indoor ice skating rink in Ankara.

There are good freshwater fishing spots within 3 to 5 hours’ drive from Ankara. The rivers and streams of eastern Turkey, although difficult to reach, provide excellent trout fishing. Other freshwater fish such as giant catfish, carp, pike, and bass can be found in various parts of Turkey. At this time a fishing license is not required; however, there are specific fishing seasons. A hunting license is required for all game.

Duck, geese, partridge, wild boar, wolf, and numerous smaller games exist in many areas. Turkey also has its own species of quail and wild turkey. Often local forestry stations impose a substantial additional fee for hunting in their jurisdictions.

Sports equipment such as tennis rackets and balls, softball gear, wet suits, and snorkels are expensive and difficult to get in Turkey. The Government of Turkey permits limited importation of shotguns and rifles (see Firearms and Ammunition).

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:33 AM

There are fine beaches on the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul, along the Aegean coast north and south of Izmir, along the Mediterranean coast, and at resort areas on the Black Sea. Many Embassy families find it most enjoyable to travel out of Ankara in the early spring or the late fall, since resort areas are crowded with tourists during the summer months.

More and more areas of Turkey are being set aside for camping. Many national parks and forestry camps have been developed in the past few years near popular beach resorts and tourist sites. Most campsites are well suited for tents. Many Americans bring camping equipment with them and find camping an enjoyable way to vacation in Turkey.

Ankara has a few small neighborhood parks, some with simple playground equipment. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to walk on the grass, and the children’'s equipment is often broken and located on cement or hard packed dirt. Since there is virtually no shade in the parks, the hot summer sun often prohibits playing on the metal equipment, and in winter the parks are muddy.

Luna Park, in the center of the city, contains restaurants and promenades, a boating lake, a children’s playground, and a permanent midway with rides and attractions reminiscent of a country fair. Altin Park, on the north end of town, sports a “hands-on” museum as well as walking paths.

Eymir Lake, affiliated with Middle East Technical University, offers a pleasant place to walk and picnic and limited boating facilities. The current fee is about $40 per year for a family permit to the lake. Gölbasi Lake is just outside of Ankara and accessible for walks and rowboat rental without a permit.

The old part of town, Ulus, has several ancient monuments that reveal the remarkable contrast of old and new in Ankara. The Byzantine citadel perches atop one of the two hills on which Ulus was built. Although the outer citadel walls have been destroyed or have fallen in ruins, the inner fortress still stands. The Roman baths date from the third century AD. Little remains of them, but the baths still retain much of the essence of the original structure.

Julian’s Column near Ulus Square dates from the fourth century. It is believed that Emperor Julian the Apostate came to Ankara and the monument was erected to commemorate his visit. The Temple of Augustus was built in the late first century BC. About 500 years later, it was made into a Christian church, and then in the 15th century, one of its walls was used as a support for the roof of the Haci Bayram Mosque. The walls of this marble temple are still standing and bear the famous inscription in both Greek and Latin, “The Achievements of the Deified Augustus” a political autobiography of the Emperor.

Within the walls of the citadel is the Alaeddin Mosque, built in 1178 and renovated several times during the Ottoman Empire. Inscriptions on its finely carved walnut pulpit remaining from its origins indicate the Seljuk Turks built it. Another Seljuk mosque, the Aslanhane Cami, or Lion House Mosque, built in 1289, still has its original structure and is noteworthy for its period wood and tile work.

Ankara houses two of the country’s finest museums: the Ethnographic Museum, which contains an extensive collection of old Turkish costumes, calligraphy, wood carvings, copper, brass, ceramics, and pottery, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which has the world’s foremost collection of Hittite artifacts. The Anatolian Civilizations museum is housed in a 15th-century “kervansaray” adjacent to the citadel.

Konya, ancient Iconium, is a 4-hour drive from Ankara. It was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and contains many monuments dating from that period. Here also are the tombs and the chapter house of the Turkish Islamic mystic, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, founder of the 13th-century order of dervishes widely known for their ethereal dancing. Every December many travel to Konya to see the festival of the Whirling Dervishes held in commemoration of its founder’s death.

Kayseri is also a 4-hour drive from Ankara. Situated at the foot of Mt. Erciyes, it is rich in Seljuk architecture and decorative arts, most of which lie within its well-preserved medieval fortress. Near Kayseri is the area known as Cappadocia, with a surreal landscape from the erosion of its soft layer of tufa stone. The countryside is a mass of stone waves that rise into pinnacles known as “peri bacalari,” or “fairy chimneys.” Early Christians carved these cones into homes, monasteries, and churches, some still magnificently ornate with frescoes. The nearby underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are just two of numerous troglodyte habitats in the area. These subterranean cities are fantastic to see, with their extensive ventilation shafts, round millstone like doors, and rooms that extend as deep as 10 stories; it is believed that they were inhabited as early as pre-Christian times and up until 1839, when locals sought refuge from the besieging Egyptian army.

Amasya, on the banks of the Yesil Irmak (Green River), is about 5 hours northeast of Ankara. The city is dominated by a massive cliff, with the tombs of Pontic kings carved into its face, and ruins of the ancient fortress built when the kingdom was founded. Throughout the town are well-preserved examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture.

The Black Sea town of Amasra is about 4 hours by car from Ankara. Safranbolu, en route to Amasra, is known for its fine examples of Ottoman architecture, many of which recently have been renovated. Black Sea towns offer simple hotels and camping areas near pleasant, quiet beaches. Bolu, on the way to Istanbul, is about a 3-hour drive northwest of Ankara. Nearby is Lake Abant, where you may fish, boat, or swim. A hotel overlooking the lake provides good accommodations.

Istanbul is now 5 or so hours drive from Ankara, depending on how fast your car will go or how fast you will let it go. The new super toll highway linking the two cities is complete, except for the tunnel through the mountain at Bolu. Once the tunnel is complete, the drive will be quick and painless, given decent weather. As it is, the area around Bolu can be congested and dangerous with trucks and foolhardy drivers daring blindly to pass them. Some still prefer to fly to Istanbul, get a sleeper car on the overnight train, or travel by intercity buses especially the smoke free, double decker buses with dining and toilet facilities.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:34 AM

The Turkish State Opera and the Turkish State Conservatory are located in Ankara. The Presidential Symphony Orchestra offers two performances a week during its regular season. Several theaters present decent plays in Turkish. Occasionally touring foreign companies visit. The Embassy Cultural Affairs office and the cultural departments of other embassies, especially the French and the British, sponsor musical and theatrical performances. Tickets for all of these are very modestly priced. The TAA sponsors concerts, lectures, movies, and art exhibitions.

In addition to Turkish films, local movie theaters present American and European movies with Turkish subtitles. The Embassy’s ERA has a small video club with current movies, mostly VHS. The Exchange also has some videos to rent. All Embassy housing is equipped with satellite dishes to receive AFN (Armed Forces Network) TV transmissions on American format televisions. For a moderate fee, cable TV that includes several European channels and CNN International can be hooked up. (For more details on television in Turkey, see Telecommunications.)

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities

Among Americans Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:35 AM There are numerous opportunities for activities within the American community in Ankara. Activities for children and teenagers generally revolve around the DoDD School. Active Boy and Girl Scout programs and youth sports programs involve many children and adult volunteers to run them.

The Ankara Women’s Club provides monthly social and cultural programs for its members. The Ankara Professional Women’s Network was founded as a forum for women who work or would like to work in Turkey holds periodic lectures and seminars. It aims to create a network of support readily accessible to foreign women who wish to work in Ankara. Turkey has a bi-lateral work agreement signed in 1998. Ongoing efforts to improve this agreement are of great interest.

The Embassy’s Community Center, based in a small apartment in one of the Embassy leased buildings, is run on a member volunteer basis and offers mother toddler, bridge players’, and cooking groups and other events members organize. The Community Center is open to the greater American community and to others on an associate member, space available basis.

The ERA hosts block parties, happy hours, and seasonal events such as the winter Holiday Bazaar and a Fourth of July party, and the annual Yard Sale in conjunction with the CLO. The greater American community and other guests are invited to these events.

Friends of ARIT was formed in 1983 by Americans in the Ankara community interested in the art, history, and archaeology of Turkey to help promote the work of the Ankara Branch of ARIT. Friends of ARIT, frequently sponsors lectures given by visiting or local scholars, informative tours around Turkey’s archaeological sites, and benefit dinners. The ARIT library has a specialized collection of books and periodicals on archaeology in Turkey.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities

International Contacts Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:36 AM Many of the organizations mentioned above also offer opportunities for meeting Turks and other foreign nationals. There are several avenues for contributing to and volunteering for charitable organizations, including the Turkish American Women’s Cultural and Charitable Society, an active volunteer group with an international membership.

The Çocuk Sevenler Dernegi’ (Child Lovers’ Society) gives volunteer help to orphans in the Ankara area and also has an international membership. The need for volunteer work is great, newcomers are always welcome, and any contribution is appreciated. The TAA cosponsors an annual ARIT lecture series on archaeology. It also organizes guided tours for its members to areas of archaeological and scenic interest.

Official Functions

Nature of Functions Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:45 AM

The Chief of Mission and officers entertain and are entertained by officials of the Turkish Government; leading members of the political, professional, military, and business communities; and officers of other diplomatic missions. Cocktail parties, buffet dinners, and other forms of entertainment in the home are popular. There are frequent receptions for other diplomatic missions and the host government, but semiofficial functions are more numerous and embrace a broader contingent of people.

Official Functions

Standards of Social Conduct Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:46 AM

Staff members participate in local functions. Business cards are a necessity. English Turkish business cards can be printed locally, as can special occasion invitations. The Chief of Mission is expected to make calls on government ministers and prominent local citizens.

Special Information Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:26 AM

Post Orientation Program

Orientation of newcomers begins before arrival at post. The Ambassador sends a welcoming cable, Human Resources sends a cable of information, including a housing survey. The CLO sends Comprehensive information packet. The CLO can be reached by e-mail at: cloankara@state.gov and welcomes inquiries.

New arrivals are assigned a sponsor who helps with the welcoming process. After arrival, Administrative Section personnel, including the regional security officer, community liaison officer, and nurse practitioner, provide special briefings. A formal Mission Orientation is offered periodically for newly arrived personnel and their families.

Consulate General - Istanbul

Post City Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:49 AM

The mention of Istanbul evokes romantic images of the imperial sultans, janissaries, and harems of the Ottoman Empire; of Byron and Keats, who immortalized through verse the glories of Byzantium; of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and the Orient Express.

Istanbul has never been a monochromatic Turkish city but rather a cosmopolitan blend of nationalities. In 1906, only 44% of its 870,000 residents were Turkish or Arab Muslims. In the period from 1839–80, large numbers of European workers and tradesmen settled in Pera on the European side of the Bosphorus, north of the Golden Horn, where they built hotels, houses, and palaces and demanded a higher standard of city services. The remainders were a pastiche of Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and foreigners from all over Europe.

Old Stamboul, south of the Golden Horn and heavily Muslim, languished and suffered from the terrible destruction of the city’s frequent fires. The European residents of Pera brought in urban planners from Germany and Italy who replaced traditional wooden structures with buildings made of stone. This created a European oasis in Istanbul, a distinction from the rest of the city that remains today.

Many middle- and -upper class members of contemporary Istanbul society are pro-Western and consider themselves European. The city is a unique synthesis of East and West upon the exotic echoes of ancient Byzantium and old Constantinople. Simultaneously, it is a bustling, modern, industrial city of 12–14 million people, making it Europe’s largest city. There is no end to the fascination of Istanbul. Those fortunate enough to be assigned to a tour of duty here should find it an enriching experience.

Istanbul is the site of an U.S. Consulate General. Its consular district includes all of Thrace (European Turkey), the land on both sides of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits, the provinces bordering the Marmara Sea, an area extending south into western Anatolia (Asiatic Turkey) and to the north of Istanbul, and the southern shore of the Black Sea.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:50 AM

The Consulate General is located on a compound at Istinye Mahallesi, Kaplicalar Mevkii No. 2, in the northern Istinye section of Istanbul on the European side of the Bosphorus. The Consulate General telephone number is [90](212) 335–9000, and the APO address is:

PSC 97, Box 0002 APO AE 09827–0002

The Consulate General moved to this new compound in summer 2003. Working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (30-minute lunch). State Department employees share the compound with FCS, DEA, FAS, and the Defense Communication Support Detachment (DCSD). The information contained in this report is generally applicable to all agencies.

The Consulate General has an active sponsor program to welcome newcomers. Once arrival plans are settled, new arrivals need to provide the Consulate General with advance notice of their arrival (airline, flight number, date, time) so that Consulate General staff can meet and assist with customs clearance.

The new Consulate General building houses the consul general’s office, Political and Economic Sections, Regional Affairs Offices, Security Offices, Management Officer, the Health Unit, Consular Section, General Services, Public Affairs, Human Resources, GSO maintenance and transportation offices and a cafeteria as well as the agencies named above.

The Marine Security Guards’ BEQ is also located on the compound. The Consulate General’s Management Section supports the programs and personnel of all U.S. Government agencies assigned to Istanbul.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:51 AM

The Consulate General makes every effort to move incoming employees directly into permanent quarters upon arrival. However, in case permanent quarters are not available, State Department employees will reside in transient quarters until permanent quarters are ready. Other agencies may use transient quarters or one of the many large, modern, first-class hotels, such as the Hilton, Intercontinental, Conrad, Hyatt, or long-term apartment-hotels.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:53 AM

All government housing in Istanbul is furnished and located 1–15 miles from the Consulate General. Commuting time to and from work can take from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on Istanbul’s perpetual and chaotic traffic. All apartments are on the European side of Istanbul.

All U.S. government employees in Istanbul live in apartments, except the consul general. An interagency housing board assigns housing on the basis of employee rank, family size, and apartment availability. All apartments have a combination living room/dining room, kitchen, main bedroom with bathroom, and at least one additional bedroom and bathroom. Apartments are generally modest in size, and bedrooms in particular are small. Not all bedrooms have closets.

Not many apartment buildings have air-conditioning, and Istanbul summer temperatures average in the 80’s. Post policy provides one air-conditioning unit in each occupied bedroom. Storage space is limited, and there is little commercial storage space available; newcomers should ship only essential items to post.

The home of the consul general, first occupied in 1988, is located north of the first Bosphorus Bridge in the suburb of Arnavutköy. Its lofty location offers a sweeping view of the Bosphorus and the Asian shore. A large entrance hall opens onto a ground floor living room with fireplace, an informal dining room, a formal dining room, and a kitchen with pantry.

A lower floor has maid’s quarters, guest bathrooms, and a small lounge decorated in Ottoman style. On the second floor are the main bedroom suite and two additional bedrooms with full baths, an adjoining study, and a family room. Two guest bedrooms with baths are located on the third floor.

Large outdoor terraces and balconies are perfect for warm-weather entertaining, but narrow roads and limited parking make large crowds unmanageable. The residence is completely furnished; it was refurbished in 2002. The electrical current is 220 volt/50 cycles, and the house has central heating.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 10/1/2003 12:52 AM

All post personnel live in government-furnished quarters and are provided with a range, a refrigerator/freezer, clothes washer/dryer, draperies, and light fixtures. Some apartments com