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| | Need to Know | Capital City Ankara | | Tipping 7 to 10% | | Electricity 220 V | | Weights and Measurements Metric system |
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People & Language
Turkish and Kurdish are the two main languages spoken here.
Ottoman Turkey was governed by the Islamic religious law- Shari’a. Ataturk (Mustafa Khemal), adapted the republican Turkey to a westernized life style. Though alcohol is forbidden by Islamic law, many Turks drink and don’t mind others drinking alcohol. But they revere the moral and spiritual teachings of Islam, and observe its customs. Liberal and westernized attitudes are seen mostly in the urban centres of the west and along the coasts, between upper and middle classes. The working and farming classes, especially in the east, are more conservative. The Turks are religiously tolerant people.
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Religion
The main religion is Islam and Turkey is not as fundamentalist as other Middle Eastern countries.
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Food
Turkish food is quite similar to Greek, but more refined. Sis kebap (shish Kebab) lamb grilled on a skewer is originally a Turkish dish. Doner Kebap- lamb packed into a vertical revolving spit and sliced off when done is very delicious. Pide or Turkish pizza is a cheap and tasty meal. Fish is good but expensive. Dolma or stuffed vegetables served cold, and eggplant is most popular in Turkey.
Among desserts, baklava (flaky pastry stuffed with walnuts and pistachios soaked in honey) is delicious. Melon among fruits is succulent and simply wonderful.
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Culture & Crafts
Ottoman literature and court music were mostly religious. They are very different to the western concept of music so they may sound melancholic to the uninitiated. Folk music is very lively but television and cassettes have replaced the bards who were very skilled and popular.
Kemal Ataturk changed Turkey’s cultural image as well. Painting, sculpture, western music, dance and drama were all encouraged to develop and grow. Ottoman arts like paper marbling and Karagoz shadow puppet plays have recently been revived. Carpet weaving is and will be the main Turkish interest. These carpets some times tell a story, are woven in bright colours and are collected by connoisseurs from all over the world.
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