-Travel Peru- Capital of the Incas: Cusco

CUSCO -- Peru is the third largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina with a total area of 1,285,216 square kilometers.

It is the 20th largest country in the world in terms of area. Peru is bordered by Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Western Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and the total length of its beaches is about 2,500 kilometers. The Andes Mountains are located towards the center of the country running from north to south. The highest peak is almost 7,000 meters. Due to its close proximity to the equator, Peru is subject to quite direct rays of the sun. You can suffer sunburn if you do not take precautions.

Argentinean José de San Martin proclaimed Peru’s independence in 1821. Peruvians do not much care about arms because they believe that the United Nations will protect them in the event of war. Peruvian people love to have fun and dance more than anything.

Although Lima is the current capital of Peru, the capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco. Cusco means ‘center of the world’ in Quechua. It is one-hour flight from Lima. Those who travel from Lima, which is at sea level, to Cusco, which is 3,450 meters above sea level, may suffer from altitude sickness

Since the country was dominated by Spaniards for 300 years, the official language is Spanish. Spanish is used in official paperwork. Moreover, along with Colombia, Peru is known as a country where the best Spanish is spoken. The local Quechua language is still alive among the people. The language is written in the Latin alphabet because Quechua had no written alphabet.

In Quechua, Peru means the “land of abundance.” Among its population of 29 million people, 45 percent are Amerindians, the indigenous people of Peru; 37 percent are mestizo, people of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry; and 15 percent are Europeans. There is also a significant minority from Africa, Japan and China, comprising 3 percent of the population. Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori is of Japanese descent. Most of the population follows Christianity. The number of Muslim believers is small. Out of the 29 million people in this country, only 600 are Muslims.

City center, Cuso

Although Lima is the current capital of Peru, the capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco. Cusco means “center of the world” in Quechua. It is one-hour flight from Lima. Those who travel from Lima, which is at sea level, to Cusco, which is 3,450 meters above sea level, may suffer from altitude sickness. The body may have difficulty in adapting to such a change in an hour. Therefore, visitors of Cusco are advised to spend some time resting once they arrive in the city.

The population of the Cusco region is about 5 million. The largest square in the city is called Wakaypata in Quechua, meaning the “crying sector.” Almost everywhere in the city is filled with tourists. Tourists get tired soon due to the city’s altitude as the breathing rate increases and the heart beats faster. This is normal for local people.

The historical features of the city have been preserved as much as possible. Traces of colonial times can still be felt in the architecture and the arrangement of the streets.

Stones, used in the construction of palaces and city walls in particular, clearly show how architecture developed in Incan times. Large, smooth stones, carefully slotted together, made quite strong structures. There are even stones with 12 corners. In a period when cement did not exist, buildings were made strong in this way.

Machu Picchu, Cusco

Some people earn a living taking photographs of people in Cusco’s square. Local people wearing traditional clothes come to the square with their dogs and goats and earn money by posing with tourists for photos. Those portraying Incan kings with their weapons and crowns attract more attention from tourists, who experience the thrill of taking a photo with an Incan king.

Cusco: A lively city

You can encounter many different activities and events as you stroll around the city. Festivals are a common sight: The streets of Cusco play host to festivals, which are held by different towns, almost all the time. Peruvians from different towns and cities keep their traditions alive with their traditional clothes and dances during these festivals. Both tourists and Peruvians are excited to witness these different cultures. Although it is known that there are many types of corn, purple corn is not well known. Purple corn is an agricultural product that can be found only in Cusco. Peruvians call it “mai morado.”

There are no legal obstacles to selling coca leaves, which is the raw material for cocaine, in Cusco. Thus, you can frequently find coca leaves in the markets of Cusco. Local people make tea out of these leaves or they chew them. Unfortunately, forests surrounding the city are destroyed to raise coca plants. Peru is the second largest cocaine producer in the world.

There are a lot of butcher’s shops where meat is sold outside. Slaughtered chickens are sold with their feet still attached. It is possible to see dozens of people waiting in the marketplace with their cell phones in their hands. These people make money by letting people who urgently need to use a telephone use their phones. People in need use their phones and pay them. This is one way to earn money here.

[QUICK FACTS] Capital: Lima Official language: Spanish and Quechua Government: Constitutional republic President: Alan Garcia Perez Area: 1,285,216 square kilometers Population: 29,546,963* Gross domestic product (PPP): $253 billion** Main religions: Roman Catholic (81.3 percent), Evangelical (12.5 percent) *July 2009 estimate **2009 estimate

The most popular food is here is ceviche. In this quintessential dish of Peru, they use raw sliced fish marinated in lemon and lime. Sweet potatoes are also an essential part of Peruvian cuisine. Mai morado is the most popular beverage, which is made out of the juice of the purple corn. Sugar is added to the purple corn juice and left to sit for one day before being served. It is also served with pineapple or apple.

As the female population is greater than the male population, it is normal to see females in every business here. For example, traffic officers are mostly women.

Peru has many natural beauties. It also has a wealth in underground resources, including bronze, silver, gold, oil, natural gas and coal. Agriculture, fishing and logging have an important place in the country’s economy.

There is a Turkish Cultural Center in Lima, but there are only 20 Turks living in the country. The center holds events to bring Turkish people together with Peruvians. They gather at the center, eating desserts and chatting. There are even Peruvians who are trying to learn Turkish. As a result of the efforts of the Catarata Education Company, Turkish is taught as a foreign language at a state school in Peru.

Celebrations in Cusco Celebrations in Cusco

06.05.2010 Travel Page

France and its world famous capital 'Paris'

PARIS

France is one of the largest countries in Europe. It has a population of about 64 million, and its capital, Paris, is a three-hour, 40 minute plane ride from İstanbul..

One of the world’s five largest economies, France is not made up of European soil alone. Because of its colonial past, it still has territories in various regions of the world, including French Guiana, located in South America, Guadeloupe and Martinique, both located in the Caribbean Sea, and Réunion, located close to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

France is a Catholic country. Eighty-eight percent of the country is made up of Catholics, and the nation has, in the past, spread Catholicism. In schools they opened in various nations years ago, they taught their language, religion and culture to other peoples. Today, French is spoken in 49 countries by 160 million people; there are 15 Francophone countries in Africa alone. France is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

There are about 500,000 Turks in France, although some sources say this number may be as high as 600,000.

France is a country that has done very well promoting itself internationally. It has done an excellent job utilizing its tourism wealth. France hosts approximately 80 million tourists annually.

Home to 13 million

Paris is set on flat land and is home to 13 million people. It is one of the world’s most famous capitals. The streets of Paris are filled with tourists all year round, so much so that it becomes hard for one to run into the French on touristy streets. Paris alone hosts 30 million tourists each year.

The Eiffel Tower, which is a massive structure 324 meters high and weighing approximately 10,100 tons, was built between 1887 and 1889 by architect Gustave Eiffel. It has three levels for visitors. One can climb the first two levels; however, one must take an elevator to reach the third level. The highest level is 276 meters high, and the view of Paris from the top of the tower is quite exquisite. The long line of people waiting to visit the tower is truly a sight. On an average day, it takes about one to one-and-a-half hours to get into the tower for a fee of 13 euros. This fee changes according to the level you visit. Roughly 7 million people visit the tower each year, and the lines remain even in winter. Once up the tower, one can see the River Seine complete with tour boats full of people.

The architect who built the tower never thought the tower would have such a magnetic effect. The tower, which was initially seen as a pile of metal and said to ruin the esthetic of the city, is France’s most popular venue today and accommodates about 1,000 tourists at a time on all three levels.

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument left by French military and political leader Napoleon Bonaparte. The massive monument, which is 50 meters high, is located at the intersection of 12 streets. The Axe historique, where the arc is located, is home to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It costs nine euros to climb the Arc de Triomphe.

The Champs-Élysées is Paris’ most famous street. There are shopping districts, cafés and restaurants as well as nightclubs. This street, which is two kilometers long, never sleeps. It begins at the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde. Designer shops can be found on this street, and items are priced at fees that are sure to raise your eyebrows.

Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is one of Europe’s largest squares. The square, which is quiet nowadays, was once an area that witnessed very important events. Following the French Revolution, 119 people were beheaded in this square, including French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

There is an obelisk in the Place de la Concorde that is similar to the one found in Sultanahmet Square. It was brought from the tomb of Ramses II in Egypt. The obelisk has been there since the 19th century.

A garden called the Jardin du Luxembourg is located in the heart of Paris. It is a tranquil getaway for Parisians.

Notre Dame de Paris cathedral sits on the banks of the River Seine. This church has hosted the coronation ceremonies for many kings and queens as well as Napoleon.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a church that is located atop the summit of Montmartre. This hill is another wonderful location where one can get a great view of the city.

Paris, which has no connection to the sea, cherishes the River Seine. The Seine was so appreciated by Napoleon that he asked for his ashes to be sprinkled over it after his death. However, Napoleon’s request was not honored. Today the Seine is quite popular for boat tours. One-hour tours on the river, which divides the city into two, that cruise under the numerous bridges are another tourist must.

The Palace of Versailles is one of the largest palaces in Europe and another tourist magnet. The palace was built in 1168 by King Louis XIV and could host up to 20,000 people at once. However, this massive palace doesn’t have a single washroom, which tells us that there was no concept of indoor bathrooms in 17th-century France.

The Palace of Versailles, which was transformed from a small hunting mansion into a massive palace, is 25 kilometers from Paris. This large and glorious building is a sizeable structure. Its spacious garden contains bodies of water that would have allowed the king to take boat tours. Because the garden continues to receive a deluge of visitors, its maintenance is quite impressive. Visitors rent golf carts for the garden as it may prove to be too large to travel on foot for many.

This palace is the very location where Marie Antoinette uttered the famous sentence, “Let them eat cake,” in response to the population that was suffering from hunger and unable to find bread to eat.

Disneyland Paris, located 27 kilometers outside the capital, is another popular spot, particularly for children. It receives 13 million visitors a year.

Paris does an incredible job hosting its visitors. It’s possible to see traces of history in every corner of the city.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Palace of Versailles

The Sacre-Cœur Basilica

The Champs-Elysees

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Paris

Official language: French

Government: republic

President: Nicolas Sarkozy

Area: 643,427 square kilometers

Population: 64,057,792*

Gross domestic product (PPP): $2.11 trillion**

Main religions: Roman Catholic (83-88 percent), Protestant (2 percent), Muslim (5-10 percent), Jewish (1 percent).

*July 2009 estimate **2009 estimate

20.05.2010 Travel Page

Japan, its old capital Kyoto and the Aoi Festival

The Yasukuni Shinto shrine in Tokyo

KYOTO -- Located on an area of land half the size of Turkey, Japan's population is twice that of Turkey. It is the second-biggest nation in the world in economic terms; this country, whose people are known for their diligence and eagerness to work, consists of an archipelago of more than 6,800 islands.

It achieved striking development in late 19th and early 20th centuries and has become a world leader in technology.

Japan is one of the most expensive countries in the world. It is also a crowded one; this country is most probably uses its land more efficiently than most countries in the world. It has a high population density: 337 people per square kilometer.

Before visiting Japan, one expects to see the traditional Japanese houses, streets and temples which we are familiar with from the movies. However, in reality there are few traces of this history in the daily life of the Japanese because Japan is now a technology giant, but there are places where you can experience something of this history and tradition; special attractions have been created for tourists and locals curious about the historical Japanese lifestyle. One of these is the Edo Wonderland Nikkon Edomura theme park which recreates the Japan of the Edo dynasty. In this recreation of a traditional village you may find what you are looking for: Japan, the country of ninjas and samurais. A really enjoyable tour including various attractions -- such as seeing traditional hairstyles, traditional places for making wishes, tarot reading and classical Japanese theater -- awaits you at this place. I watched curiously when my friends had their palms read. Thank God, the fortune tellers said only good things about my friends' futures so they kept their happiness alive. With their covered heads, the fortune tellers may seem similar to Muslim women at first sight; however, they are actually Buddhists. These women cover their heads because of their faith.

Priests at a Meiji shrine in Tokyo

We kept walking around Edomura and, like everybody else, we wanted to see the ninjas and eventually we got the chance to watch their live shows. The shows were very interesting. We left the warriors after their demonstrations. It is possible to witness such exciting shows in Edomura. This is a great place for those who want to see what old Japan looked like and how life was during the Edo dynasty.

Kyoto became the capital of Japan after Nara; it is a historical city full of temples and palaces. In May, festivals are held almost daily in Japan. Our visit to Kyoto coincided with the Aoi festival. You feel like you are living in ancient Japan during this event. You take a journey into ancient Japan, leaving modern Japan behind. The Aoi festival starts at the Kyoto Imperial Palace and ends at the most famous shrine in the city. This is a tradition that has been kept alive for 1,000 years. This festival is not only for adults, children also participate in the festivities; this festival is fun for them as well.

Maikos dance at festival for Kyoto's traditional culture

We then left the old capital to visit the new one: Tokyo. The Shinto faith is dominant in Japan, so we visited a Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Unlike the Buddhist temples, there are no gods represented by sculpture in these shrines. These are simpler buildings where you can give offerings of food and drink to the gods.

Shinto is the major religion of the Japanese people, combined with Buddhism. “Shin” means gods whereas “To” refers to path; combined, “Shinto” means “the path to the gods.” There are thousands of Shinto shrines in Japan.

We wear white garments around our necks to symbolize our cleanliness before the gods when we visit the shrine. Shinto shrines are fairly simple; a mirror placed at the heart of the shrine is seen as a tool to reach the gods. Priest Okano Kamisama, who served as a guide during our visit, says the gods have no form or shape. They call the forefront of the shrine the “Honden” and the rear the “Haiden.” There is a 15-centimeter long mirror inside the shrine. The priest cleanses himself before starting a prayer. He then commences with the prayer, a ritual that we have never seen before in our lives.

The Kiyomizudera (The Clear Water Temple) in Kyoto

This ritual requires an offering of salt, water and rice to the gods at 7 a.m. every morning. The same ritual is repeated on important days, but the amount offered to the gods is larger on these days. There is no sacred book in this religion. The major teaching of Shintoism is to lead pure and clean life. Conscience also has a special place; this is represented by the mirror analogy. The mirror is supposed to reflect whether you have done the right thing whenever you take a look at it. Respect is also a core value in Japanese society. Respect is essential and a must. Everything is considered for the benefit and the good of the people; in their prayers, they ask the gods not to let them go astray. The total number of Shinto temples in Japan is nearly 90,000. After the ritual, Priest Okano invites us to his home; he offers us a traditional meal and dessert. Tea is served with dessert.

An archer at the Yabusame Shinto ritual

We later visit the Shinjuku Turkish Cultural Center founded by Turkish entrepreneurs in Shinjuku, an important area of Tokyo. The Japanese people here have great interest in learning how to speak Turkish. We are pleased to discover that they are interested in playing our traditional instruments and speaking our language. It becomes evident how active this cultural center is once you set foot in it as Japanese people are able to sing classical Turkish folk songs, play classical Turkish instruments and the people taking the Turkish courses are able to speak the Turkish language quite fluently. It is obvious that this cultural center is performing well. Students are very pleased with their studies and training. They registered with this center to learn Turkish and they are eager to learn.

Turkey is promoted well by the Shinjuku Turkish Cultural Center, therefore, the Japanese people who visit once often bring their friends on their second visit. Turkish tea is popular at the center. We wonder about the secret of the center's success. I was really surprised to see the eagerness of the Japanese people to learn Turkish. How was this done? Most probably, sincerity and faith were the keys to such a great achievement.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Tokyo

Official language: Japanese

Government: a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy

Emperor: Akihito

Prime Minister: Taro Aso

Area: 377,915 square kilometers

Population: 127,078,679*

Gross domestic product (PPP): $4.348 trillion**

Main religions: Buddhism and Shinto (84-96 percent)

China’s Shanghai: A modern city in the East

Nanjing Road in Shanghai

SHANGHAI--We first land in Beijing, the capital of China, before flying to Shanghai aboard a two-hour flight from the capital. As soon as we set foot in this city, we immediately realize that we are in a world city.

This city is a clear indicator of China's development. Giant skyscrapers are ordinary in Shanghai. In a district that is so large it could engulf several Manhattans, giant buildings have been built and are still being constructed. Trade and commerce have resulted in incredible wealth for this city. As you wander the streets of Shanghai, you frequently come across luxury houses and cars. There are giant housing complexes, each of which is more populated than some cities around the world. For instance, one building complex comprises some 250 buildings, each of them with some 30 floors. They say that about 40,000 people live in this complex. There are even larger complexes housing about 100,000 people each. Given their immense population, the Chinese naturally have to tinker with the idea of building complexes of buildings.

A small fishing town just 150 years ago, Shanghai today is among the world's biggest and most important cities. Shanghai does not have much background in Chinese history, as the city flourished after the arrival of Europeans. Since then, European have never left this major city. The impact of Europeans is clearly visible in the buildings scattered around the city. There are about 500,000 foreigners living in the city.

Shanghai is the heart of the Chinese economy. It is a rapidly growing and developing city. With a population of 18 million, Shanghai is called the "Manhattan of China." The Shanghai skyline is littered with giant skyscrapers. As the city has seen considerable development during recent years, Shanghai is very different from what it was even 10 years ago.

A pagoda in Suzhou

Chang Jiang, meaning “long river,” flows through the middle of Shanghai. Westerners call it the Yangtze river; it is the third-longest river in the world.

The city has misty and foggy air; this does not change year round. The city's inhabitants enjoy sunny days only for a week or so each year.

In the city center, the Jin Mao Tower, a 421-meter tall, 88-story skyscraper, is now accompanied by the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Center, which reaches 492 meters into the air. Shanghai is brimming with such grandiose skyscrapers. In order to allow for the smooth flow of traffic, giant, multi-layered junctions have been built, and there are overhead highways where cars travel at a height of a seven or eight-story building. These highways lead to the main centers around the city. Seeing them, one might think such projects could be readily implemented in İstanbul.

Nanjing Road is the most famous and busiest street in the city. There is where tourists flock for shopping and entertainment. The street is busy at every hour of the day, getting progressively more crowded in the daytime and reaching a peak in the evening. World-famous brands have opened shops along the street.

The Yangtze River

One sees a flood of human beings flowing through Nanjing Road. Since it is closed to vehicle traffic, people can freely wander to and fro in this junction where Chinese and Western cultures meet. It can be likened to İstiklal Caddesi in İstanbul. Nanjing Road is not only crowded; it is also the most expensive place in the city. The leasing prices for shops are astronomical. Small battery-operated cars serve the same function as the historic tram on İstiklal Caddesi. At night, Nanjing Road becomes luminous and colorful and vivid. It is one of the most-illuminated streets in the world.

Shanghai is a city on a plain, at a low elevation. There are large parks in the city. The city planners placed great importance on vegetation. Although it is located in the far eastern reaches of China, it is extremely Western oriented. Western lifestyles are dominant in the city. There is a Shanghai school in response to the Beijing school, the former being more progressive and open than the latter. Having mingled with Westerners for many years in the past, the city has always represented the progressive school in literature, philosophy and commerce. The traffic signs are bilingual, Chinese phrases being followed by their English counterparts.

Chinese citizens need to obtain permits in order to live in this city. Working in Shanghai is also regulated, as the people who aspire to work in this city are required to obtain a permit for this. Obtaining this permit is a difficult process. This is intended to curb migration from rural areas to cities.

There is a matriarchal structure in China. In Shanghai, it is ordinary for men to cook meals, wash the dishes and do the cleaning. Women are the heads of the household. It is said that this is the case for a large percentage of households in Shanghai. Shanghai women are depicted as practical bosses.

Silk production

We go from Shanghai to Suzhou, a one-hour highway trip. Suzhou is called the "Venice of the East." It is famous for its canals as well as for its gardens and pagodas. The historic Auspicious Light Pagoda, a Buddhist temple, is a popular destination for tourists. Built in 1004 B.C., the pagoda is 53 meters tall. It is a mostly wooden structure. The pagoda was built to reach up to the gods. We climb to the highest point in the pagoda and gaze over the surroundings of the temple.

Then, we pay a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden, a 500-year-old garden built during the Ming dynasty. It is one of the four most-famous gardens in China. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden, spanning an area of 5.2 hectares, was built over the course of four years. Local and foreign visitors show great interest in the garden. As guides speak about the garden, tourists carefully listen to them.

We start to tour the streets of Suzhou. Souvenir shops line the streets lying parallel to canals. The owners of these shops both produce and sell a variety of souvenirs.

As we travel toward Hangzhou, we remember a famous Chinese saying. In order to depict the beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou, the Chinese say: "Paradise above. Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Hangzhou has a lake called Xi Hu, or West Lake. The landscape around the coast of the lake is beautiful.

Silk is one of the symbols of China. China has sold silk to the world for centuries. We visit a silk factory and touch silkworm cocoons. For many years, China maintained strict control over knowledge about silk production. It is said that when several silkworms hidden inside the hair of a Chinese princess were taken out of China, the rest of the world learned how to produce silk. We watch how cocoons are processed in the plant. With awe, we observe how silk is transformed into thread. Silk threads are carefully peeled away from cocoons and wrapped around reels.

Cocoons may be spun separately or side by side. Single cocoons generally produce higher-quality silk, which is used for apparel. Double cocoons produce lower quality silk which is used for rugs, carpets or covers.

A small test is held for tourists in order to show whether two scarves are made of real silk. Only one of the scarves is made of real silk. Scarves are burned. Only the scarf made of real silk emits neither black smoke nor a bad odor. This is not the case for the fake scarf. This test clearly shows which one is authentic.

The importance of silk around the world has always given China an upper hand in trade. For this reason, silk is an important commodity for China. When silkworms were smuggled out of the country, other countries started to produce silk, which dealt a large blow to the Chinese economy. Even local Chinese buy imported silk, thinking that imported commodities are of higher quality. Even today, this is a common perception among the Chinese. Although China is a textile giant, its people still prefer to buy imported apparel.

We tour a silk showroom in Hangzhou. Colorful clothes made of silk are displayed for prospective buyers. One thing to note is that bargaining is important in China. Whatever price is offered to you, you should bargain with the seller because the Chinese like to bargain.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Beijing

Language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese)

Government: Communist state

President: Hu Jintao

Premier: Wen Jiabao

Area: 9,640,821 square kilometers

Population: 1,330 ,044,544*

GDP (PPP): $7.8 trillion**

Religions: Daoism, Buddhism, Christianity (3-4 percent), Islam (1-2 percent)

FINLAND: Land of forests and lakes Travel Guide

The nation lies between Sweden and Russia and is a neighbor of Norway. It is a clean and quiet nation.

Finland, which longs for the few sunny days it gets, has only a very brief summer. The winter days here seem as though they will never end. Conversely, during the summer months in Finland it sometimes seems like the sun never sets. This country is famous for the reindeer and sleigh-pulling huskies that live in its northern regions. With its beautiful blue lakes and rivers, Finland's forests, which cover a good 75 percent of its land, are a gorgeous shade of green. In fact, with 23 million hectares of forest, Finland has the most forestland in all of Europe.

The industrialization of Finland began during the 19th century with the processing of its forest products. In fact, forests are still the most important source of raw materials for Finland.

The resolute efforts and hard work of the Finnish people in past years mean that they now inhabit a nation which, despite having been at one point a country of swamps, is now one of the most developed nations on earth. Finland produces internationally recognized brands of electronics and metal goods and is also famous for its engineering capabilities. Its goods sell well in world markets. Finland is a leader not only in production, but in trade as well. One of the greatest factors in this nation's growth during the 1990s was the spread of cell phones and other telecommunications technology. Today, this nation is both modern and developed.

Finland joined the European Union in 1995 and converted its currency to euros in 2002. The country has a population of 5,250,000. Newspapers sell an average of 3 million copies per day. A majority of these sales are to regular subscribers.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a port city founded in 1550. It is the northernmost EU capital, and it hosted the Olympics in 1952. Helsinki is an orderly city with large parks. One of the most famous city squares here is Senate Square. This square is home to Helsinki Cathedral, a large white church with green domes, as well as a statue of Russian Czar Alexander II. The Russians ruled Finland between 1809 and 1917, and before them, the Swedes controlled these lands for many years. In fact, you can see evidence of the years of Swedish rule in the language and culture of Finland today. The official languages of Finland are both Finnish and Swedish, and in fact, both are taught in school. Of course, the Swedish spoken in Finland is a bit different from the Swedish spoken in Sweden. Around 6 percent of all Finnish citizens speak Swedish as a native language. Street and boulevard names are in both Finnish and Swedish here, as are street signs and placards.

The population of Helsinki is around 600,000. Actually, Finland, with its relatively small population, is doing what it can to encourage an increase in birth rates. Financial assistance is offered to families when they have a child, and in fact, these family payments are one of the largest expenditures of the Finnish government's budget. It doesn't matter how rich or poor a Finnish family may be; they will receive a special package from the government for each child they have. These packages include things like blankets, diapers, children's clothing and even toys.

Every morning people living in Helsinki head for the large parks that dot this capital city. The city has dog parks where you can take your dog and let him run free with other dogs all day long if you wish. In fact, there are 15 dog parks in Helsinki alone. Interestingly, Finland also has cemeteries for dogs and cats. These cemeteries are well maintained; you can see dates of birth and death on the headstones at these cemeteries, and candles are lit by the gravesites.

There is an open market near the presidential palace in Helsinki that you must visit if you are in Finland. In fact, because it is near the presidential palace, even the Finnish president sometimes takes her visitors to tour the open market and drink some coffee there. One of the most unique aspects of this open market is that sellers here still use the old liter system rather than a scale to price and sell their goods. For example, when you buy foods like potatoes, peas or mushrooms here, they will measure how many liters of these foods you are buying and charge you accordingly. The price for one liter of peas here is 3 euros, for example. The EU doesn't look warmly on this traditional form of pricing, so it appears that this method will go by the wayside and become history not long from now. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum in Helsinki is also a very important spot for Finns. One of the first signs that you are about to head off on a historical tour through years past is that when you arrive at the museum, you are greeted by people wearing costumes from the 19th century. Inside the museum, you see examples of old Finnish homes. Visitors can experience old ways of living when they come here; the most distinctive quality of these old Finnish homes is that they are made entirely of wood. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is definitely a place to see if you are interested in traditional Finnish life.

Another popular spot to visit in Helsinki is Temppeliaukio Church. Carved from stone, this churched opened for services in 1969.

There are around 188,000 lakes, some large and some small, throughout Finland. Of course, it is not surprising that a country that gets as much rain as Finland does would have so many lakes. The homes that stand beside these lakes are also quite famous in Finland. Many Finns especially relish the idea of being able to spend their vacations on a quiet lakeside, leaving the crowds and chaos of city life far behind.

Another aspect of life much loved by Finns is the sauna. In fact, Finnish society adores saunas, and almost every Finnish home contains its own sauna. Apartment buildings have shared saunas that their residents use together. It is reported that there are 1,700,000 saunas in Finland, which is a lot when you consider that the nation's population is only 5,300,000. The word "sauna" itself comes directly from Finnish. A favorite tradition of Finns vacationing at their lakeside homes is to rush from their saunas straight into a cold lake. It doesn't matter whether it is summer or winter when they do this!

Finns are also known for their love of coffee. They are one of the top coffee consuming countries in the world, with an estimated 20 million cups of coffee drunk per day.

Following Helsinki, the second largest city in Finland is Espoo, with 240,000 residents, and the third largest Finnish city is Tampere, with a population of 200,000. There are two large lakes that lie outside Tampere. One place you must be sure to see in Tampere is the espionage museum. All sorts of interesting tools and devices used by spies are displayed there. Schools in Finland all provide lunch to their students for free. This is a service that everyone receives from preschool all the way through high school. In fact, special lunches are even offered for students from various religious backgrounds. One last note is that alcoholism is a big problem in Finland, not only for men but for women as well. And the divorce rate here is high, as is the unemployment rate. Around 7 percent of country's population is unemployed.

DUBAI: Modern desert warrior Travel Guide

Arabs call Dubai the city of the 21st century. This is a city with skyscrapers in the midst of a vast desert. Petrodollars are reflected in its rapid urbanization. This is the modern face of the Middle East.

Some see it as a city created by combining Arab culture and European style; some view it as the Venice of the Middle East. Dubai is a modern and clean city. You would even think you were taking a stroll in a European or American city if there were no billboards in Arabic. The most luxurious SUVs in the world are on the streets of Dubai. Its residents drive different cars for day and night.

Seven emirates decided to merge in 1958 when a process of dramatic change started because of oil exploration. These emirates founded the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971; Abu Dhabi was picked as the political capital of the country, while Dubai emerged as the commercial capital. Dubai, which was an endless desert 30 years ago, is now a symbol of money and wealth. The whole city is green despite the fact that it normally receives rain just two times in a year. The city has only one season: summer. However, it is divided into three phases: hot summer, regular summer and mild summer. The city hosts a number of parks, although you usually have to pay 5 dirhams for admission.

Only 20 percent of the city is Arab; there are a number of Filipino, Pakistani, Indian and Thai workers there. Most of these workers do not have their families with them. They want to make money and go back to their native lands. A foreign worker earns 800-2,000 dirhams per month. The workers are expected to speak English. Because rent in the city is generally quite expensive, workers usually have to share their rooms with others. A cab driver makes about $555 each month.

Because the city hosts people from diverse backgrounds, English has become the common language. Arab residents are fluent in this language because of the city's great emphasis on tourism and trade.

Dubai Creek has always occupied a central place in the city; it has played an important role in daily life; now it serves to host key commercial and tourism activities. Boats, called abra, are available for those who want to cross the creek. The abras can carry 30 persons each trip, and the fee is 50 fils (half a dirham).

It would be no exaggeration if we called Dubai a city of hotels. You will encounter a number of 5-star hotels in downtown Dubai. But Burj al-Arab, a 7-star hotel, is the symbol of Dubai and is the only 7-star hotel in the world. Burj al-Arab stands on a small island in the sea and is made of glass and steel; it looks like a sailboat. Before its construction was started, a manmade island was built in the middle of the sea. This took three years, while construction of the hotel lasted for two. The people of Dubai are so proud of this building that even the license plates here include a small picture of it.

Weekends in Dubai fall on Thursday and Friday. The week starts on Saturday. Working hours are also rather different: There is work between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., then a two-and-a-half hour break followed by another working period between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Local Arabs are encouraged to marry other local Arabs. When such a marriage happens, the couples are given a large villa and $20,000. If the groom does not have a job, the government arranges employment for him. If necessary, the couples may also be entitled to loans from a bank. However, these incentives do not apply to marriages involving a non-Arab. If a Dubai resident female marries a foreign man, she loses her citizenship. If a man living in Dubai marries a foreign woman, she can be naturalized five years later.

While no trace of the desert is left in downtown Dubai, it is possible to have fun on desert safaris in the rural parts of the emirate. Arranging safari tours is part of the local culture; the tours attract a great deal of attention from foreign tourists. The tours usually start before sunset.

People are excited about experiencing the sunset in the desert, and many hurry to catch a still image of this moment with their cameras, trying to maximize the pleasure of the moment.

Dubai is also famous for its regularly held camel races. These camels are bred in exclusive farms owned by the royal family. The camel races sponsored by the sheikhs are pretty prestigious for them. The camels are trained for two hours every day.

Dubai is an attractive center of shopping and commerce. It tries to appeal to shoppers from all over the world by holding festivals and special events throughout the entire year. Numerous malls have been built all around the city. Some shopping centers, such as Mercato, have a historical appearance. This is a deliberate choice to attract visitors, as they were actually erected just a few years ago.

The emirate of Dubai has made visible accomplishments and completed attractive projects. Manmade islands in the shape of a palm tree have been constructed in the middle of the sea to host tourist facilities. The houses and facilities on the islands have already been sold out. In another project, a group of small islands in the shape of a map of the world is being constructed in the sea. Each island represents one country in the world; the prices of the islands vary, but the rates start at $7.5 million. The most expensive one is $30 million. Foreigners can also invest in these projects. Dubai residents say the palm-tree islands and the world-map project are amongst the few man-made structures visible from outer space. Dubai hopes to host 15 million tourists a year by 2010. For this reason, they are always developing new projects.

Dubai has nice, calm beaches. It is possible to swim any time in the year because there is no winter there. People are always flowing into the city because of attractive events including exhibitions, meetings and conferences. But this is also a city where sandstorms are a part of daily life. You may hear the sounds of hawks used in hunting amidst the modern skyscrapers that cast their silhouettes on the desert. Vast areas of desert have been turned into golf courses. The whole area has become a place that appeals to the wealthy tourists of the world. Modernity and desert life exist side by side in the emirate. East and the West meet here as Dubai takes your breath away.

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TRAVEL TIPS

Visa: The UAE requires a visa for Turkish citizens. Although visitors from the US, England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and EU countries are also required to get visas, they can obtain them upon arrival at the airport. The visa fee is 100 dirhams. However, British citizens are exempted from this fee.

How to go: Both Turkish Airlines (THY) and Emirates have direct flights to Dubai.

Accommodation: There are many nice hotels, but prices are generally quite high.

What to eat: You should try the delicious Arab food in the city. There are plenty of nice restaurants.

Best times to travel: The best time to visit Dubai is the period between November and April. December, January and February are particularly suitable for a visit. The city is very hot at other times. There is also high humidity.

QUICK FACTS

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Official language: Arabic

Government: Federation, powers split between UAE federal government and emirates

President: Khalifa bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (chief of state)

Prime Minister: Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktum (head of government)

Area: 83,600 square kilometers

Population: 4,621,399*

GDP (PPP): $164.4 billion**

Religions: Muslim 96% (Shiite 16%), Other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%

Travel Guide Denmark "Of bicycles and merchants: Denmark"

Denmark is a country consisting of 500 islands and islets. Germany is the only neighboring country adjacent to Denmark's territories.

The Danish-German border is 68 kilometers long. The highest point in the country is 173 meters while the lowest is minus 7. It takes a three-hour flight to get to Denmark from İstanbul.

Denmark extracts huge amounts of natural gas and oil from the North Sea. The country markets know-how to the world. It is known for its leadership in engineering sciences. Danish experts founded most of the cement factories in the world. Danes read a lot; 30 million volumes are picked from libraries in a year. This is a great figure when compared to the small population of the country. Denmark is home to Hans Christian Andersen, the great master of fairytales whose works were also translated into Turkish.

Danish is the official language in Denmark. The Scandinavian languages are pretty similar, and Danish people actually speak most of them. English is the second language in this country; almost all are able to communicate in English.

Denmark is governed by a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Queen Margaret II, and the crown prince is her son, Fredrik. The queen's winter residence is located in the heart of Copenhagen. Whether she is in residence is signaled by the flags hung on the palace. Denmark is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world; “monarchy” is still the official style of government, and ceremonies held in front of the palace to exchange duties between the royal guards attract a great deal of attention. You may encounter many tourists present at the spot to witness the moment of exchange and subsequent rituals.

Article 4 of the Danish constitution states, "The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State." Article 6 notes, "The King shall be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church." This means that in order to be a queen or king, the candidate needs to be Evangelical Protestant; not only that, he or she also has to be a member in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mary, the spouse of Crown Prince Fredrik, was a member of a different denomination of Christianity in Tasmania, but she converted to evangelism right before marriage and subsequently became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Every city has a symbol, and Copenhagen's is the Little Mermaid statue. One million tourists come to this country to see this every year. Visitors take pictures in front of the statue; Denmark did a great job by marketing this little statue as a valuable asset of tourism. The initial reaction of the visitors is sort of a mixture of disappointment and surprise, yet they don't miss the opportunity to take plenty of pictures.

Copenhagen means "city of merchants." The city has been serving as the capital to this country for six centuries. It has a population of 1.7 million.

The best way to contemplate is to climb on the Round Tower of Copenhagen. A gradually ascending road is used instead of stairs to get to the tower. You need to travel a distance of 209 meters; horses were used to get to the tower in the past. It is possible to get the whole view and scenery of the city and even Swedish territories. The city consists of five- and six-floor houses; tall towers constitute part of the city's overall silhouette. The observation house attracts visitors every hour of the day. People take pictures as soon as they get there.

The Danish parliament building is located in downtown Copenhagen. The 179-seat parliament has two Turkish deputies. There are a lot of bicycles in the country; you may see many bicycles parked in front of the parliament building as many deputies ride bicycles.

You may see a gathering in front of the assembly protesting the Danish government for sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. A group of 20 protesters is replaced every three hours to make their voice heard all the time. The government took no action to stop the protests, which have been going on for six years.

Riding a bicycle is pretty easy in this country. Young or old, almost everybody owns a bicycle. People take their kids to school on bicycles even in cold weather. This is ordinary for Denmark.

Cars are relatively inexpensive in Europe; however, this is not the case in Denmark. Autos are pretty expensive in this country because of customs levies. The state imposes 180 percent customs levies for auto owners. Let's say you bought a car in Germany paying 10,000 euros. If you want to take this to Denmark, the overall price of this car nears 30,000 euros.

Prices go down by at least 50 percent in neighboring country Sweden; you can get a car in Malmö, 30 kilometers away, for half of the price you pay in Copenhagen. For this and other similar reasons, a number of Danish people live in this city. These people work in Denmark but live in Sweden. Statistics show that Danish people pay 39 percent more than the Europeans do for food. A 25 percent tax is imposed on food in this country. Finland and Sweden follow Denmark in expensiveness.

If you love shopping and happen to be in this country, you need to consider the skyrocketed prices. But you should also note that the Stroget, located in the center of the city, is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe.

In downtown Copenhagen, you may see a lot of skating rinks where kids and young people ice skate along with their parents. This is a free of charge service offered by the local administration. Those who do not have a pair of skates may rent them at the entrance; there is no time limit on the rink. Small kids start ice skating at early ages.

In Denmark, many jewelry stores sell amber stones. These are Baltic ambers, which are fairly pricy because formation of one amber stone takes at least 1 million years. Resin becomes hard and then remains underground for 1 million years before it converts to amber. The jewels made of these stones are symbols of this country; an amber rosary with 33 stones is $1,300.

There is one place called Christiania at the heart of Copenhagen; at the entrance, there is a placard reading, "Welcome to Christiania." It is pretty close to the parliament building. This place hosts a world where irregularity is rule and lack of an order is the main element of order. Hippies took control of this vicinity in 1971. When military units withdrew from there, hippies filled the void. About 1,000 people spend their lives in this interesting place. Young people unable to integrate with the society prefer this. Drug sale is forbidden in Denmark with the exception of Christiana. People do drugs in this area, and taking video in this area is forbidden.

Most Danish drug users have their first experience in this secluded place. Actually, the Danish government is pretty uncomfortable with it and wants to close it down. However, the country, which named the Copenhagen criteria, is unable to deal with Christiania. People are so into drugs that you may have difficulty communicating with people on the street because of the effect of the drugs. It is impossible to understand what they are saying. The government fails to adequately address this growing problem. There is a small area in this place where old garments are left. Those in need pick up what they need there.

Visa: Denmark is a Schengen country and requires Turkish citizens to get a valid visa before entrance. The visa application fee is YTL 100. It does not ask for visas from citizens of European Union countries, the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. While EU citizens may stay indefinitely in this country, visitors from other countries need to leave the country within three months following their admission into the country.

How to go: Turkish Airlines has regular direct flights from İstanbul to Copenhagen every day.

Turkish Airlines: starting from 178 euros plus tax Every day

Departure: 10:15 a.m. Arrival: 12:30 p.m.

Extra flights by Turkish Airlines: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday

Departure: 2:15 p.m. Arrival: 4:30 p.m.

Accommodation: It is pretty easy to find cozy and neat hotels in Denmark, but it should be noted that rates are a little bit expensive.

Food: There are Turkish restaurants in Denmark; you may dine in a Turkish establishment in downtown Copenhagen. I also recommend fish.

Best time to go: The weather in Denmark is usually rainy and cloudy. People miss the sun a lot. The best time to travel to this country is summer, when the average temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. Winter is cold; the coldest month is February. Those who do not like the crowds may go in the spring. Make sure to bring your umbrella, coat and sweater.

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[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Copenhagen,

Official language: Danish

Government: Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

Monarch: Queen Margrethe II

Prime Minister: Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Area: 43,094 square kilometers

Population: 5,484,723*

GDP (PPP): $203.3 billion**

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (95 percent), Other Christian (3 percent), Muslim (2 percent)

'Portugal' one of Europe’s finest

Downtown Lisbon

You can reach Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, after about a five-hour flight from İstanbul.

Portugal, located in the very southwestern tip of Europe is, in fact, quite a small piece of land. (It measures just 92,391 square kilometers.) Eighty-four percent of Portugal is Catholic, and this nation was one of the most influential in the world in terms of spreading Catholicism.

Since the airport in Lisbon is located in the center of the city, visitors can reach their destinations shortly after they arrive. There are many trams that run through Lisbon. One of them is the Number 28, which runs by many of the tourist sites in the city and is a favored means of transportation for first-time visitors.

Despite Portugal's relatively small population, Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages in the world. There are just under 200 million people who speak Portuguese: In South America, there is Brazil, and in Africa there are nations such as Mozambique, Angola, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, and of course in China, Portuguese is spoken in Macau. In fact, Portuguese is ranked the sixth most spoken language in the world by the European Union.

Portuguese history is particularly marked by the exploration that took place in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was during these centuries, due to the seafaring and colonizing done by the Portuguese, that Portugal experienced its golden age. In fact, even nowadays in Portugal, you can see signs of the wealth that date back to those days. The seafarers who came out of Portugal are still known and remembered throughout the world; Bartholomew Dias, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan are just a few examples.

Some say that there are more than 3,000 Arabic-rooted words in Portuguese. Words like "al-Garve," "al-Fame" and "al-Kantara" -- in other words, mostly everything preceded by "al" -- comes from Arabic. Muslims entered Iberia in the year 711 and stayed for exactly eight centuries. And despite the fact that many years have passed since the Muslims left, you can still see the influence of this presence everywhere. The tiled buildings and Arabic words sprinkled through the language are just some examples. Even so, almost none of the structures built during the time of the Umayyad caliphate of al-Andalus are still left standing in the city. There is not, for example, a single mosque left from that period in Lisbon.

Visitors to Lisbon are treated to the natural beauty of the Rio Tejo ("Tagus" in English) that starts in Portugal's neighbor, Spain, and runs through Portugal, before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal's western coastline with the Atlantic Ocean stretches for 832 kilometers.

One of the most important points in Portugal is the Cabo da Roca. This is the European continent's westernmost point. West from here is the Atlantic. It is also a wonderful point to look out upon the magnificent marine view, facing the strong winds that blow off the ocean.

Like İstanbul, Lisbon sits atop seven different hills. You can look out on this city of 2.7 million from the highest point in the city, from the Sao Jorge tower, and get a memorable bird's eye view. Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since 1260. In Portuguese, the city is called "Lisboa."

One of the first things that might attract your attention in Lisbon is the giant statue of Christ. It is reminiscent of the famous one in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The one in Lisbon stands on a hill that overlooks the city, and is 22 meters high. You can reach the terrace to view this statue by elevator, and after you get to the top, you have a wonderful view of the city.

The central boulevard in Lisbon is the Avenida de Liberdade. This is the most famous boulevard in Lisbon and is lined by trees on both sides. You can find hotels, administrative buildings and world-famous stores all along this road.

Walking through the center of Lisbon, you will likely also notice an interesting, historic elevator. The construction on this 45-meter-high elevator -- called Santa Justa -- began in 1900, and took two years to complete. It is now one of the most popular tourist sites in Lisbon because of the city views you see when you head up the elevator. In addition to the gorgeous views you get of the city grid when you go up the elevator, you also get to tour through the narrow, historic streets of Lisbon afterwards, for the elevator deposits its passengers at one of the highest neighborhoods in Lisbon. In fact, it was for the inhabitants of this steep neighborhood that this elevator was originally constructed. And the people who live here still use this elevator for that purpose, to get back to their homes.

"Fado" is a kind of music that is strongly associated with Portugal. You can hear fado live all over Lisbon, and one of the most famous places to go enjoy the strains of this kind of music is Luzo. According to fado musician Filipe Acasio, who has been playing for 29 years, fado is more than music, it is a way of life. Some say the word fado comes from the Latin word "fatum," or fate. There is pain and melancholy expressed in fado, which often expresses those who have been lost, and the sorrow and longing felt for them. Some say it's a kind of music that came about from long months spent at sea. Others say it was music sung in memory of those at journey out at sea by their loved ones on the land. But whatever the reason, Fado is a music which keeps the past alive today. At many places where fado is sung, five or six singers will take to the stage in one evening. And generally these singers will sing around three or four fado songs each before leaving the stage to their counterparts. You can find a fado bar on almost every corner of Lisbon.

Make sure that while you are in Lisbon, you don't leave without eating some of the delicious fish dishes offered in this fantastic city. From sardine to red mullet, from tongue fish to codfish, you can find everything here. This bounty comes from being located just on the edge of the Atlantic.

Finish up your meal with a slice of Belém cake. This is a famous item in Portuguese cuisine, and can be found everywhere.

With its historic cities, its atmosphere combining the past with the present and its delicious cuisine and warm people, Portugal is a country well worth visiting.

[TRAVEL TIPS]

Visa: Portuguese requires visas from Turkish citizens. Visas cost YTL 105 and can be obtained from the Portuguese Embassy in Ankara. No visas are required for citizens of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK or other EU countries.

How to go: Turkish Airlines (THY) offers regular flights to Lisbon from İstanbul.

THY charges 325 euros, inclusive of taxes.

Departures: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from İstanbul

Departs: 10:25 Arrives: 13:15

Returns: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays to İstanbul

Departs: 14:10 Arrives: 20:40

Where to stay: You will have no problem finding clean, wonderful hotels to accommodate any kind of budget.

Cuisine: We recommend any one of the delicious fish meals.

Best time to go: In the summer, Portugal is hot, while in the winter, it can be chilly in the north. So we recommend a visit during spring. And since these are not the crowded months of the high season, hotels will be cheaper, too.

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[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Lisbon

Official language: Portuguese

Government: Republic; parliamentary democracy

President: Anibal Cavaco Silva

Prime Minister: Jose Socrates

Area: 92,391 square kilometers

Population: 10,676,910*

GDP (PPP): $232.3 billion**

Religions: Roman Catholic (84.5 percent), other Christian (2.2 percent), other (0.3 percent), unknown (9 percent), none (3.9 percent)

*July 2008 estimate **2007 estimate

Iceland: The dance between fire and ice

Iceland is a country whose name has most recently been associated with the global financial crisis.

This island of 350,000 became the first national victim of the crisis when it declared bankruptcy earlier this month. Although this may lead one to believe that this isn't a desirable location to visit on the world map, Iceland remains unique place with its landscape and history.

Despite including five enormous icebergs as part of its topography, Iceland is actually a nation of volcanoes, with 15 volcanoes active even now. In fact, its Hekla volcano is one of the world's most active. Earthquakes are common occurrences in Iceland. In fact, there is so much tectonic movement that little islands form off of Iceland in the middle of the ocean from time to time. One such island is named Surtsey -- it came about as a result of lava spewing into the ocean from a volcano in 1963.

Iceland, which had previously been tied to Denmark, acquired full independence in 1944. Though not a very rich nation in terms of natural resources, Iceland's annual per capita income is around $36,000. The minimum wage here is 1,200 euros per month. In short, the level of prosperity is quite high here. Interestingly, Iceland has one of the lowest national populations in the world. The literacy level here is 100 percent. In 2007, Iceland was chosen by the United Nations as the best country in the world to live in from the perspective of education, income level and life expectancy rates. In fact, the people of Iceland have some of the longest life expectancies in the world. While men live an average of 80 years here, women live an average of 83.

At the same time, Iceland is an expensive country. Meals at Icelandic restaurants are two to three times as expensive as similar meals in European restaurants. In terms of foreign residents in Iceland, most are from Poland. There are around 10,000 Poles who live here. Following them are Danes and Germans.

As for its economy, Iceland is very dependent on fishing. There are 1.5 million tons of fish caught in Iceland annually. A full 6 percent of the residents of Iceland work in this sector.

Of the total population of 300,000, 190,000 live in the capital. Reykjavik holds the title of being the world's closest national capital to one of the poles. In other words, it is the world's northernmost capital city. With the national population being as low as it is, you won't see so many people wandering around the streets and boulevards of this nation. In fact, there is one square kilometer here for every three people. Reykjavik is a small and serene capital city.

In Iceland, the official language is Icelandic. This is actually Europe's oldest living language. But don't worry about communicating once you get to Iceland; if you speak English, you shouldn't have any problems.

There are more than 10,000 waterfalls throughout Iceland. The most famous of these is Gulfoz, which is about 140 kilometers from the capital. Its waters cascade a distance of 70 meters from the top.

During the month of February in Iceland, the sun doesn't come up until around 9 a.m. The snow falls constantly, which is why you might notice that road traffic signs display not only the outside temperature, but the temperature of the roads themselves. Thus, drivers can be forewarned of the temperature the road they are driving on and proceed with more or less caution.

Iceland is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for the Icelandic horses the Vikings themselves brought to these lands in the ninth century. In fact, since then, this type of horse has been preserved on the island without change. This is why today it is strictly forbidden to take them of the island, and likewise, it is also forbidden to bring back any Icelandic horses that have been transported off the island. If you visit a farm where these horses live, the first thing you may notice will be how still these horses stand. With their long hair, they are able to withstand extremely cold temperatures during the winter, as low as -15 degrees Celsius. And, despite how small they appear, they are also quite strong and muscular. Icelandic horses are famous for being able to run in five different styles. Most other kinds of horses can only run in four different styles.

They say that fire dances with ice in Iceland. While the top of this nation's soil may be covered completely in snow and ice, boiling waters burst forth from underground in various places. There are more than 800 natural sources of hot water in Iceland. Despite wintry temperatures, you can find water as hot as 100 degrees bubbling up from the ground.

The most famous of the natural hot water sources in Iceland is a geyser named Strokkur. The hot water that intermittently bursts out of Strokkur shoots a full 30 meters into the air. Those who come to see it will be dumbfounded by the display, which occurs every five or 10 minutes.

This is definitely a favorite tourist attraction in Iceland. You can see people standing with their cameras and video recorders, waiting to document the water that shoots up into the air. You can tell when the water is about to rush out of the ground when you see a sort of depression forming in the ground around the place where the water emerges. Interestingly, this spot is also one where people come to make wishes. It is such a sight that this place manages to attract around 500,000 visitors a year, winter and summer, even though there are only around 2,500 Icelanders who live nearby.

The months of April and October are great months in Iceland for whale-watching tours. In fact, a chance to see these enormous creatures in their natural environment is in itself a reason that people come to visit Iceland. Not only whales but puffins as well are also a reason that people travel to Iceland. These birds can dive to depths of 50 meters in the ocean and can fly at speeds of 80 kilometers an hour. There are more than 10 million puffins in Iceland.

With its volcanoes, bursting geysers, spectacular horses, millions of puffins, whale-watching opportunities, clear waters and so much more, Iceland is really a unique country. For those who are curious about the dance between ice and fire, this is the place to visit, no doubt about it.

[TRAVEL TIPS]

Visa: Turkish citizens are required to have a visa to visit Iceland. But if you have a Schengen visa, you can enter with no problem. You can obtain your Schengen visa for Iceland from the Danish Embassy in Ankara, or the Danish Consulate in İstanbul. The price for this visa is YTL 110.

Citizens of the US, England, Canada and New Zealand can enter Iceland for three months without a visa.

How to get there: You can reach Iceland by connecting through Europe. One of the preferred ways is flying through Denmark. We advise you to fly with Turkish Airlines to Denmark, and then from Denmark to Iceland on Icelandair.

Turkish Airlines: 178 euros plus tax

İstanbul departure: 10:15 a.m.

Copenhagen arrival: 12:30 p.m.

Icelandair: 282 euros plus tax

Copenhagen departure: 2 p.m.

Reykjavik arrival: 3:10 p.m.

Cuisine: Eat lots of fish while you are here. The soups here might seem a little salty, though, so be forewarned. The prices are quite high in comparison to eating out in Europe and, interestingly, restaurants seem to have their tables really squeezed together.

Where to stay: There are lots of clean and wonderful hotels here. But again, the hotels are quite expensive in comparison to European hotels.

Best time to go: It is definitely best to visit Iceland between the months of February and March if you want to see the snow and ice, as well as the hot water bursting forth from the ground. If you go earlier than these months, the days will be much shorter. And if you want to see a greener Iceland, you might try the summer months.

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[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Reykjavik

Language(s) spoken: Icelandic

Government: constitutional republic

President: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson

Prime Minister: Geir Haarde

Area: 103,000 square kilometers

Population: 304,367

Main religions: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (82.1 percent), Roman Catholic Church (2.4 percent)