A great pleasure to welcome you to my country, TURKEY.

The land of ancient Asia Minor or Anatolia is today's TURKEY and links Europe with Asia. TURKEY is predominantly an Islamic country, it is a secular democratic republic and people have freedom of religion and belief. TURKEY is an extension and homeland of many great civilizations of the world heritage, such as Hattians, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lydians, Ionians, Carians, Lycians, Persians, Hellenistic people, Romans, Seljuks, Ottomans and finally the people of the modern republic.

Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK put an end the traditional monarchical form of government by setting up the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923. Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK had made many reforms transformed TURKEY into a modern state. Our first President Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, stands as a towering figure of the 20^th Century. The world honours his memory as a foremost peacemaker who upheld the principles of humanism and the vision of a united humanity.

TURKEY is a country where the great civilizations of the east and west meet in great harmony. TURKEY is also a paradise of sun, sea, mountains and lakes that offers the holiday maker a complete change from the stress a routine of everyday life.

I hope you will have a pleasant stay.