Turkey — map and facts

Turkey is a transcontinental country straddling south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia, the only nation in the world with territory on both continents. With a population of approximately 85 million and its capital in Ankara, Turkey is one of the most significant countries in the Middle East and Mediterranean region. The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is one of the world's most visited cities and former capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

About Turkey

Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a unitary presidential republic. Most of its territory (Anatolia) lies in south-western Asia; a small portion (Eastern Thrace) lies in Europe, separated by the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. Turkey's neighbours include Greece and Bulgaria to the north-west, Georgia and Armenia to the north-east, Iran to the east, and Iraq and Syria to the south. The Bosphorus and Dardanelles, controlled by Turkey, are the only sea routes between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Geography and landscape

Turkey covers approximately 783,562 km². Anatolia is a large plateau surrounded by mountain ranges — the Pontic Mountains in the north and the Taurus Mountains in the south. The highest peak is Mount Ararat (5,137 m) in eastern Turkey. Major rivers include the Euphrates and the Tigris, both rising in eastern Turkey. The Aegean coast in the west is deeply indented with ancient cities and resort towns. The Cappadocia region in central Anatolia is famous for its unique volcanic rock formations and cave dwellings.

History

Anatolia is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions on Earth. Çatalhöyük, one of the world's first towns, flourished around 7500 BCE. Anatolia was later part of the Persian, Roman, and Byzantine empires, with Constantinople (Istanbul) as the Byzantine capital. The Ottoman Empire, at its height in the 16th–17th centuries, controlled much of South-Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Following the Ottoman defeat in the First World War, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded the modern Republic of Turkey in 1923, implementing sweeping reforms including the adoption of the Latin alphabet.

Economy and currency

Turkey has a large and diverse economy. Key sectors include tourism (Turkey consistently ranks among the world's most visited countries), textiles, automotive manufacturing, construction, and food processing. The Turkish lira (TRY) is the national currency. Istanbul is the country's economic and commercial hub. Turkey is a member of the G20 and a candidate for EU membership.

Culture and language

Turkish is the official language, a Turkic language unrelated to Arabic, Persian, or European languages. Turkey's culture is a rich blend of Central Asian Turkic, Islamic, and Western influences. The country is predominantly Muslim (Sunni), though the constitution establishes a secular state. Cultural highlights include Ottoman architecture (the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque), the Sufi whirling dervish tradition, Turkish cuisine (kebab, meze, börek, baklava), and the hammam (Turkish bath). Tea (çay) is central to social life.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Turkey? Ankara is the capital, though Istanbul is the largest city and cultural centre.

What currency does Turkey use? The Turkish lira (TRY).

Is Turkey in Europe or Asia? Turkey is transcontinental: most of the country (Anatolia) is in Asia, while a small portion (Eastern Thrace, including part of Istanbul) is in Europe.

What is the Hagia Sophia? The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was built as a Christian cathedral in 537 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, later converted to a mosque under the Ottomans, then a museum, and reconverted to a mosque in 2020. It is one of the world's greatest architectural achievements.

What are the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles? These straits connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Controlled by Turkey, they are of major strategic importance as the only sea route between the two seas.