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| Geography The Republic of Turkey is located in South Eastern Europe (the area west of the Bosporus) and South Western Asia. Turkey is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, Greece, Bulgaria, the Black Sea, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Ankara is the capital city. Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and largest port. Other cities include Adana, Izmir and Konya.
Turkey can be divided into seven geographical regions: the Mediterranean Region, Aegean Region, Marmara Region, Black Sea Region, Central Anatolia Region, Eastern Anatolia Region and the South Eastern Anatolia Region.
The terrain is mountainous with a central plateau and a narrow coastal plain. Turkey has many rivers including the Euphrates, Kizilirmak, Sakarya, Tigris and Yesilirmak.
Turkey's weather varies according to region but is generally hot and dry in the summer and cold in the winters.
EnvironmentTurkey has a varied environment; mountains, valleys, plains, beaches, rivers and lakes. Just over a quarter of the country is covered with forests and woodlands.
There are a number of Nature Reserves and over twenty National Parks. The Society for the Protection of Nature, an independent organisation, is concerned with conserving Turkey's coasts and marine life, freshwater systems, wetlands, forests and biodiversity.
Nine sites in Turkey are on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance. Two of areas in Turkey, Pamukkale (famous for its calcareous sediment) and the Goreme Valley, are World Heritage sites.
Birds found in the conservation areas include cranes, ducks, geese, gulls, ibis, heron and flamingoes. Among the wild animals in Turkey are boar, deer, wild goats, mouflon (wild sheep), wolves and wildcats.
ArchitectureTurkey (Anatolia) has a very rich architectural heritage. Among its monuments are examples of Greek (333-30 BC), Roman (30 BC-395 AD), Byzantine (330-1453 AD) and Ottoman (1299-1923) architecture.
Ephesus is Turkey's best preserved classical city. It was the site of the Ancient Greek Temple of Artemis, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. During Roman rule of the city the famous Library at Ephesus was constructed.
Turkey has a number of World Heritage sites. Archaeological sites are Troy; Hattusha, the former capital of the Hittite Empire; Xanthos-Letoon, the capital of Lycia; Nemrut Dag, the mausoleum of Antiochus I (69-34 B.C.); the sanctuaries hewn into the rock at Cappadocia; historic areas of Istanbul (Constantinople); the thirteenth century Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi and the the City of Safranbolu.
With the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire made Istanbul (Constantinople) its capital (1453). The Ottomans converted many of the Christian churches into mosques, including the church of St Sophia (Hagia Sophia) built by the Emperor Constantine.
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TURKEY
Chinli Kiosk in Istanbul's Topkapi Palace built in 1473 was a great influence on Ottoman architecture. Ottoman architects designed baths, libraries, mansions, mosques, palaces, schools, aqueducts and bridges. Mimar Sinan, the Chief Architect to the Sultans (1538 - 1588) designed over three hundred and thirty buildings starting with the Sehzade Mosque. Sinan designed the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
The Ottomans were also responsible for many mosques and buildings throughout their Empire in Africa, Asia and Europe.
Population
The population of the Republic of Turkey was 68,893,918 in 2004. Eighty percent of the population is Turkish and twenty percent of the population is Kurdish.
Languages
Turkish is the official language.
ReligionAlmost all of the Turkish population is Muslim; mostly Sunni Muslim. There is a very small minority of Christians and Jews.
98% of the Turkish population is Moslem. However, everyone in Turkey has freedom of religion and belief. No one can be forced to participate in religious ceremonies or rites against their will and no blame can be attached to anyone because of their beliefs.
The first phases in the introduction of secularism were the abolition of the Caliphate and the Ministry of the Sheria and Pious Foundations on March 4, 1924, followed by the introduction of separate educational and judicial systems, the hat reform, the closure of dervish retreats and rligious sects, the acceptance of a Sunday weekend holiday rather than the Moslem Friday and the adoption of the western calendar, and finally the adoption of the principle of secularism in the Constitution of February 5, 1937.
In secular Turkey all religious affairs are carried out by a central government organization affiliated to the Prime Ministry, namely the Department of Religious Affairs, established in 1924. The function of this organization is to carry out tasks related to the beliefs, divine services and moral principles of Islam, and to enlighten citizens on religious matters.
Turkish FoodTurkish cuisine is a combination of Middle Eastern food (kebabs, pitta bread and houmous) and Mediterranean food, (tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and grilled meat). Hot peppers, herbs (mint, parsley, dill, cumin) and yoghurt are important ingredients in Turkish cuisine. Bread is part of the Turkish daily diet.
A "meze" consisting of a number of small dishes may be served before the main course of a meal. These include slices of melon, feta cheese, pickles, nuts and small portions of fish, salads and vegetables.
Soups (fish, rice, lentil), rice and wheat dishes (pilaf), meats (lamb, mutton, veal, poultry) and seafood (anchovies, sardines, mackerel, octopus, mussels) are prepared with vegetables (aubergines, artichokes, beans, beetroot, chard, chick peas, cucumbers, mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach, tomatoes). Stuffed vegetables (dolmas and sarma), meatballs and egg dishes are popular. The kebab, marinated lamb roasted on a spit, is a Turkish favourite.
Milk puddings flavoured with orange, lemon or rose water are a popular dessert. Other desserts include fresh and stewed fruit (apples, apricots, cherries, figs, melons, peaches, pears, plums, quince, strawberries and tangerines), pastries and sweets such as Turkish Delight and halva.
Raki, an anise flavoured spirit, is the national drink. "Boza", another traditional alcoholic drink is made from fermented wheat berries. Beer, wines and fruit juices are produced. "Turkish" coffee is thick and black and tea is prepared over boiling water and served in small glasses.
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