Turkey is roughly rectangular and has an area of 814,578 square kilometres or 314,510 square miles, approximately 3.5 times the size of the UK. Turkey is an extremely mountainous country with an average altitude of 1,132 metres. The North Anatolian Mountains run along the north of the country, parallel to the Black Sea, with the Taurus Mountains sweeping along the Mediterranean in the south.

Turkish Riviera

In Antalya, the pine-clad Toros (Taurus) Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea resulting in an irregular coastline of rocky headlands and secluded coves. The Turkish Riviera is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year, and is a paradise for sunbathing, swimming, and sports activities like windsurfing, water skiing, sailing, and mountain climbing.

Awaiting your discovery are important historical sites set in a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus groves and palm, avocado and banana plantations. The Turkish Riviera is the tourism capital of Turkey.

The region prides itself luxury accommodation and the hospitable people of Antalya will make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable.

Antalya

In the Ataturk and Karaalioglu Parks, the colourful exotic flowers and the shimmering water in the bay with the mountains behind demonstrate why Antalya has become such a popular resort. In the Aqua Park, on the eastern coast, every kind of water sport is available, including exciting water slides.

The Archeological Museum, with artefacts from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich history. Two-coloured ceramics dated at 5400 - 8500 B.C. are worth seeing. The Ataturk Museum displays objects used by the founder of the Turkish Republic. The Antalya Altin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film and Art Festival, held in the autumn, attracts many participants and visitors. The ancient theatre in Aspendos makes an impressive setting for some of the festival's plays and concerts.

Belek

Belek is one if the best locations in the world surrounded by antique cities, and the turquoise sea where the emerald green meets the falls flowing from the mountains. Moreover, this district, with immense sandy beaches, which embrace the deep Mediterranean blue, not only survives its natural and historical richness but also portrays the architecture of modern life, which complete its magical beauty.

Today, Belek is looked upon as the new face of Turkish tourism and its completely unique nature and proper architecture are continuously observed and developed by the Union known as BETYAB.

Belek is situated just 30 kilometres east of Antalya city centre and only 30 minutes from the airport. Antalya is one of the most favourite resort areas of the Mediterranean and it's acknowledged as the centre of the Mediterranean tourism of today and tomorrow.

Climate

Turkey is such a large country with such diverse terrain that the climate varies greatly from one region to another. The south Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. As you head north towards IÏstanbul, summers become shorter and the winters colder. The Black Sea coast is Turkey's wettest region, and the only region which receives rainfall throughout the year. The eastern part can receive up to 2,200 mms annual rainfall, with warm summers and mild winters. In central Anatolian the summers are hot and dry and the winters cold, and as you head east towards Eastern Anatolia the summers become milder and the winters harsher - temperatures can drop as low as -30°C to -38°C in the mountains and snow may lie on the ground 120 days of the year.