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Turkey

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Türkiye, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a major nation located at the crossroads of two continents. Most of its territory lies in Anatolia within West Asia. A smaller portion, known as East Thrace, sits in Southeast Europe. The country is surrounded by several important bodies of water. The Black Sea borders the north, while the Mediterranean Sea lies to the south. To the west, the Aegean Sea separates Türkiye from Greece. The country also shares land borders with Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

Cappadocia Aerial View Landscape
Cappadocia Aerial View Landscape

The geography of Türkiye is quite diverse. The landscape features flat coastal plains and a high central plateau. As you travel eastward, the elevation rises through various mountain ranges. Because of these features, the climate varies significantly across the region. Some areas experience a Mediterranean climate, which is often mild. Other regions have semi-arid or continental climates. Türkiye is also home to three biodiversity hotspots. However, the land is prone to frequent earthquakes and is vulnerable to climate change.

Ephesus Celsus Library Façade
Ephesus Celsus Library Façade

Human history in this region began during the Late Paleolithic period. Some Neolithic sites, such as Göbekli Tepe, are nearly 12,000 years old. Early Anatolian farmers even migrated into Europe around 9,000 years ago. Ancient civilizations like the Hittites ruled Central Anatolia between 1700 and 1200 BC. Later, the region underwent Hellenization following the conquests of Alexander the Great. This brought Greek culture to the area. Eventually, the Roman Empire expanded its influence into Anatolia. This was followed by the Byzantine Empire, which was the continuation of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire remained a powerful force until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

The transition to modern Turkish rule involved many significant shifts. In the 11th century, Seljuk Turks began migrating into Anatolia. This started a process called Turkification. After the Mongol invasion in 1243, the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum disintegrated into smaller Turkish principalities. The Ottomans began uniting these principalities in 1299. Under leaders like Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Empire became a global power. In the early 20th century, the empire faced major changes and territory declines. Following World War I, the Turkish War of Independence led to the abolition of the sultanate. The Republic of Türkiye was then proclaimed on 29 October 1923. This new state was modeled on reforms by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Ephesus Celsus Library Façade
Ephesus Celsus Library Façade

Today, Türkiye is a unitary presidential republic with over 86 million people. Most citizens are ethnic Turks, while Kurds are the largest ethnic minority. Although it is a secular state, the majority of the population is Muslim. The capital city is Ankara, but Istanbul is the largest city and the economic center. Other major urban areas include İzmir, Bursa, and Antalya. The country is an upper-middle-income and emerging economy. It holds the 16th-largest economy by nominal GDP and the 11th-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP. Türkiye is also a major electricity producer, ranking 15th in the world.

Cappadocia Aerial View Landscape
Cappadocia Aerial View Landscape

Türkiye holds a very significant position in international politics and trade. It is a member of NATO and possesses the world's second-largest military force. The nation is also a founding member of the OECD, the G20, and the Organization of Turkic States. As an EU candidate, it participates in the EU Customs Union. The country is a highly visited destination, ranking fourth in the world for tourism. Visitors come to see numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and experience a rich cuisine. Türkiye is also a leading exporter of television content.

Ephesus Celsus Library Façade
Ephesus Celsus Library Façade

The name "Türkiye" has deep linguistic roots. In Turkic languages, the word "Turk" may mean strong, flourishing, or vigorous. Historically, the term "Turchia" was used in European texts to describe Anatolia. The modern spelling "Turkey" has been used since at least 1719. In 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for the expanded use of "Türkiye." He stated that the name better represents the culture and values of the nation. In 2022, the United Nations agreed to use the name Türkiye in English. This change helps align international usage with the country's official identity.

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