ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

Population: 62,9 million (1997). Some 60 % of Turkey's population are below the age of 25 Turkey's average population density is 81 persons/sq.km. The density is greatest in the western part of the country. 41 % of the population lives in rural areas.

Capital: ANKARA (3,7 million inhabitants)

Main cities: Istanbul (9,1 million), Izmir (3,1 million), Adana (1,7 million), Bursa, (1,9 million), Konya (1,9 million), Antalya (1,5 million).

Administrative Provinces: Turkey is divided into 7 geographical regions and 80 administrative provinces.

State and Political Structure: The Turkish State is a Republic. The Parliament - Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) comprises 550 members elected by universal suffrage.

The President of the Republic: Ahnet Necdet SEZER

Head of Government: Bulent ECEVIT

Official Language: Turkish

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL) June 15, 2001 - 1 USD = 1,230,000 TL

Local Time:

• GMT + 3 hours (April - September)
• GMT + 2 hours (October - March)

Public Holidays:

• January 1 - New Year's Day
• April 23 - National Sovereignty & Children's Day
• May 19 - Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day
• August 30 - Victory Day
• October 29 - Republic Day
• Three days for Ramadan and four days for Kurban holidays depending on the Muslim calendar.

Weight and Measures:The metric system is in force.

Religion: 99 % Moslems. 1 % Jews and members of various Christian churches.