Turkey is at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest Asia. To the north is the Black Sea and to the west is the Aegean Sea. Its neighbors are Greece and Bulgaria to the west, Russia, Ukraine, and Romania to the north and northwest (through the Black Sea), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Syria and Iraq to the south.
Established in 1923, Turkey is literally a bridge between Europe and Asia;
the country resides on both continents. Although the majority is located in Western Asia and has borders with Syria, Iraq, Iran and Iraq, a small portion is located in Southeastern Europe and has borders with Bulgaria, Greece, and Georgia. The country also has coastlines on three seas, including the Aegean, the Black and the Mediterranean. Turkey is a multicultural country with a long history reflected in the many historical sites and monuments around the country where visitors can find traces of legends such as Alexander. Turkey was a founding member of the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Climate
Although the coastal areas of Turkey generally have a moderate Mediterranean climate, features such as open plains and mountains make for a wide variety of climatic conditions. The average high temperature in Istanbul is about 29 degrees C in August and the average low is about 3 degrees C in January. Average temperatures in the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions are as high as 35 degrees C and average low temperature in Ankara are as low as -7 degrees C.
Culture
Turkey has long embraced multiculturalism, and the country strives to integrate secular and western ideas into their society and culture. At its founding, the Latin alphabet replaced the Arabic alphabet, and women were given the right to vote. In modern Turkey, people of many faiths and traditions live in harmony. Dress ranges from western clothing such as jeans to elegant evening wear and traditional clothing that includes colorful scarves and caps.
Cost of Living
Living costs in Turkey are low, and an international student can expect to pay about $400-$500 (US) each month for housing, food and miscellaneous expenses. Books and other fees will run about $150 (US) per semesters. To keep costs down, universities generally provide dormitories or other housing for international students.