Turkey’s national religion is Islam, but the country is a secular state with religious affairs and government kept firmly apart.

Turkey has a young and rapidly growing population with 50% of its people under 25 years old. In the last 40 years there has been a huge movement of people from the countryside to towns and cities like Ankara and Istanbul. Over 60% of the population now live in urban areas, although their connection with family and friends still living in the countryside often remains strong.

The only time when you need to worry about dress codes is when visiting a mosque. Everyone should wear clothes which cover their legs, so no shorts for either sex, and women should also make sure that their shoulders and head are covered. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque. There is usually a rack or storage area where they can be left or you can carry them with you in a bag. Mosques are usually closed to visitors during prayer times. As in any place of worship, visitors should speak quietly and behave respectfully.

There are two major Islamic Festivals which are celebrated in Turkey. The dates of both change each year, according to a lunar calendar. The festivals are §eker Bayrami which falls at the end of Ramadan, a period of fasting, and Kurban Bayrami, the Feast of Sacrifice, when traditionally a goat is sacrificed and the meat distributed to friends, family and neighbours. Government offices and some other institutions are closed during these periods but life in resorts continues much as usual, since many Turks also head to the coast when these holidays fall in the summer months. During Ramadan, or Ramazan, as it is known in Turkey, it is common for locals to fast from sunrise to sunset. This should not affect visitors to tourist areas.