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Location
Northwest Turkey.

Dialling code
90.

Population
12.6 million (2007 official census, metropolitan area).



Time zone
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
5°C (41°F).

Average July temperatures
28°C (82°F).

Annual rainfall
640mm (25.2 inches).

Cost of Living:

After over two decades of rampant inflation, when increasingly larger denomination banknotes had to be put into circulation every couple of years (the largest note in 2005 was 20 million TL, worth around US$15), things took a turn for the better in 2005. Inflation calmed down to 7.7% and the devaluation of the Turkish Lira in January 2006 meant ridding of all the zeros, hence 1,000,000 Turkish Lira became 1 Yeni Turk Lirasi (New Turkish Lira).

1 Turkish New Lire (YTL1) = £0.43; US$0.65; C$0.77; A$0.91; €0.48
Currency conversion rates as of January 2009

Special Events:

International Film Festival
April
Film retrospectives and new cinema releases from Turkey and around the world.
Mostly cinemas along Istikal Caddesi in Beyoğlu
Website: www.iksv.og/film

International Theater Festival
May-early June
Performances of a wide variety of theatrical works from Turkey and Europe.
Various theaters and performance spaces around the city
Website: www.iksv.org/tiyatro

International Istanbul Music Festival
June
Classical music featuring Turkish and international artists and orchestras.
Various venues.
Website: www.iksv.org/muzik

Efes Pilsner One Love Festival
June
A two-day, open-air rock and dance music festival that takes place around midsummer.
Parkorman
Website: www.pozitif-ist.com

International Jazz Festival
July
Jazz from Turkey and abroad.
Various venues
Website: www.iksv.org/caz

Rock'n Coke
August
An open-air rock music festival sponsored by Coca-Cola and featuring international artists. An annual event since 2003, this did not take place in 2008 but another is planned for 2009.
Hezarfen Airfield, west of the city.
Website: www.rockncoke.com

Akbank Jazz Festival
October
A jazz festival with a number of big international names performing.
Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Babylon and the Akbank Cultural and Arts Center.
Website: www.akbanksanat.com

Cumhuriyet Bayram (Republic Day)
October
A national holiday celebrating Atatürk's proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.
Throughout the city

Istanbul Arts Fair (ARTIST)
November
A trade fair exhibiting and selling painting and sculpture from European artists.
Tüyap Fair and Congress Center
Website: www.tuyap.com.tr 

Efes Pilsen Blues Festival
November/December
A touring program of blues events in 14 Turkish cities that include Istanbul.
Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center
Website; www.pozitif-ist.com

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