Turkey

The country spans two continents with a landmass of 302,535 square miles (783,562 square kilometers), most located on the Anatolian Peninsula and a smaller portion in Southeastern Europe. The landscape encompasses the Taurus Mountains in the south, Pontic Mountains along the Black Sea coast, the Anatolian Plateau in the center, and fertile coastal plains. Three seas surround the territory: the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

The republic was established in 1923 following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk initiating reforms that introduced Latin script, expanded women's rights, and separated religion from government. During World War II, the country remained neutral but joined NATO in 1952. A military coup occurred in 1980, followed by restoration of civilian rule in 1983 and subsequent economic liberalization during the 1990s.

Turkish coffeehouses serve as social meeting points for men across generations who gather to drink tea, play backgammon, and discuss politics, while women traditionally prefer separate social spaces. Turkish cuisine combines Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences, with dishes such as meze, döner, and baklava reflecting culinary heritage from different historical periods. Hamams have functioned as public bathhouses for hygiene and social interaction since Ottoman times, maintaining their role in contemporary Turkish society.

Visitors from most countries can apply for electronic visas online before arrival, with processing typically completed within 24 hours. Currency is the Turkish lira, and ATMs are widespread in cities while credit cards are accepted at larger establishments. Public transportation includes domestic flights, intercity buses, and metro systems in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with private long-distance coaches offering frequent connections.

The Anatolian Peninsula contains more than 40,000 archaeological sites from multiple civilizations spanning over 10,000 years, including Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Persian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine remains. Istanbul is the only city worldwide that straddles two continents, with neighborhoods in both Europe and Asia separated by the Bosphorus Strait. Construction of the Marmaray railway tunnel beneath the Bosphorus uncovered shipwrecks dating to the 4th century BC.

Location: Boğazlıyan

Inception: October 29, 1923

Capital city: Ankara

Part of: Balkans, West Asia, Middle East, Mediterranean Basin, Black Sea Basin, Eurasia

Shares border with: Greece, Bulgaria, Syria, Iraq, Armenia, Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Arab League, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Kingdom of Bulgaria, State of Aleppo, State of Syria, First Syrian Republic, Second Syrian Republic, United Arab Republic, European Union, Ukraine, Cyprus, Northern Cyprus

Address: Türkiye

Website: https://turkiye.gov.tr

GPS coordinates: 39.29408,35.23166

Latest update: November 30, 2025 15:16