About Turkey
Introduction
With its beautiful landscape, sandy beaches and clear blue seas, Turkey is Euroasian paradise. Stretching across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, it has for a long time been a well-hidden treasure of the Eastern Mediterranean. Often described as the cradle of civilization, the first known settlement in the world was found at Catalhoyuk, northeast from Konya, dating back to 6500 BC.
Today this thriving modern country hosts the architectural splendour of mosques and castles, breathtaking marinas, sports and leisure activities for everyone. Turkey's evolution continues proudly in all areas; leaving behind its European counterparts in some areas, such as internet banking, medicine and IT.
History
Mustafa Kemal named Ataturk by the Turkish nation ('Father of Turks') stands as a towering figure of the 20th Century. The founder of the Turkish Republic and its first President, he is among the great world leaders of history. Turkey's President for 15 years, he introduced a broad range of swift and sweeping reforms - in the political, social, legal, economic, and cultural spheres. A military hero in 1915, he became the leader of the Turkish national liberation struggle in 1919. In the early 1920s he triumphed as a commander who fought the invaders of his country and after a series of impressive victories against all odds, he led his nation to full independence. In 1923, he drove out the Ottoman dynasty which had lasted more than six centuries and created the Republic of Turkey, establishing a new government representative of the Turkish people. His achievements led him to be admired as a pioneer of national liberation. His memory is honoured as a peacemaker, who upheld the principles of humanism. His saying 'peace at home, peace in the world', is probably what depicts him best.
Geography
Covering approximately 800,000 square kilometers, the country is split between the European and Asian continents. Straddling both these continents, its largest city, Istanbul, acts as a bridge between West and East. 5% of Turkey is in Europe, and with nearly 13 million people, Istanbul is the third most populous European urban area, after Moscow and Paris. The Bosphorus strait separates Europe from Asia and connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. Two bridges across the Bosphorus link the two continents. Neighbouring Bulgaria and Greece in the North West, Georgia and Armenia in the North East, Iraq and Iran in the South East and Syria in the South, Turkey is one of the largest countries in the Middle East bordering the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas on the South West coastline, the Sea of Marmara to the North West and the Black Sea to the North.
Total Area 780,580 sq km
Land 770,760 sq km
Water 9,820 sq km
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People
Population 71,892,807
Population Density 93 sq km
Commercial centres Over 73% of Turkey's population live in urban areas of which Istanbul has the largest population. Some major cities and towns are commercialized and while others are still in their infancy attracting new tourists every year.
Population by city
Istanbul 11,000,144
Ankara 3,832,981
Izmir 2,656,148
Bursa 1,466,266
Adana 1,392,490
Antalya 798,507
Diyarbakir 605,424
Source: CIA World Factbook
Religion
99% of the population is Muslim, however as a secular state, Turkey remains neutral when it comes to opinions of religion and guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims.
Language
Turkish is the official language spoken by 90% of the 71.1m population. Minority languages include Kurdish, spoken by 6% of the population. 1.2% of the Turkish population speaks Arabic and other minority languages include Circassia, Armenian and Judezmo. Turkish uses a 29-letter variant of the Latin alphabet which was introduced as part of Ataturk's cultural reforms in 1928, replacing the Arabic variant used during the Ottoman Empire. English is widely taught as the primary foreign language in most state-sponsored secondary schools.
Government
Name
Republic of Turkey
Government type
The Turkish Republic is a democratic, secular, and social state. Governed by the Council of Ministers, the President, Abdullah Gul was elected in 2007 for a seven year term and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the former mayor of Turkey is the current Prime Minister. Turkey is a member of OECD, NATO and an associate member of the EU.
Capital
Ankara
Provinces
81 in total: (iller, singular ili) Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel (Mersin), Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak
Independence:
29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
Flag description:
Red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening
Military branches:
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri, TKK), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri, TDK; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Force (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri, THK) (2008)
Military service age:
20 years of age (2004) - compulsory, although conscription can be delayed whilst studying, and university graduates enroll for a shorter term.
Economy
Turkey is the 6th largest Economy in Europe and in the top 20 in the world, attracting an estimated Foreign Domestic Investment (FDI) inflow of $20 billion in 2008.
Turkey's major trading partner in the EU is Germany although UK is its' second major trading partner. The volume of UK-Turkey bilateral trade reached $12 billion in 2006 and the UK is Turkey's 2nd largest export market. British firms cover a wide range of sectors, with over 41 British companies investing in Turkey, such as BP, Shell, Vodafone, Unilever (UK), HSBC, Aviva, Tesco, and Cadbury Schweppes.
A dynamically mixed economy of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that still accounts for more than 35% of employment. The state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication, even with a strong and rapidly growing private sector.
In 2004 inflation was lowered to an impressive 8.6%, and this was lowered further to 8.2% in 2005. An increase in oil supplies and various supply stocks in 2006 saw inflation rise to 10.5% but a tightening of interest rates is expected to put a stop to any further inflation increases. This will result in a controlled amount of GDP growth at 5.9% in the third quarter of 2006. Growth in the years leading up to this was higher at approximately 7 - 8%.
Despite the positive feedback from other EU countries, Turkey's EU negotiations are expected to be slow. The country is actively involved in increasing tourism and infrastructure and hopes to achieve EU accession and the euro currency before 2015. However, if Turkeys attempt is unsuccessful, its economy will continue to grow and pick up pace as one of the most exciting and developing investment countries in Europe.
GDP (PPP)
930.9 billion (US$Billions)
GDP Growth
4.5%
GDP Per Capita (PPP)
12,900 (US$)
GDP by Sector
Agriculture: 8.5%
Services: 62.9%
Industry: 28.3%
Inflation
8.8%
Population below the Poverty Line
20 %
Labour Force
23.21 Million
note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad
Labour Force by
Agriculture: 29.5%
Occupation
Services: 45.8%
Industry: 24.7.%
Unemployment
7.9% plus underemployment of 4%
Main Industries
Textiles, food processing, autos, electronics
mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel,
petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Exports & Imports
Textiles and clothing is the largest industrial sector and accounts for one-third of industrial employment. It faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the global quota system. However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics industries are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix. Economic and judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost foreign direct investment.
Exports - commodities: Apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment
Exports - partners: Germany 11.2%, UK 8.1%, Italy 7%, France 5.6%, Russia 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2007)
Imports- commodities: Machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment
Imports - partners: Russia 13.8%, Germany 10.3%, China 7.8%, Italy 5.9%, US 4.8%, France 4.6% (2007)
Currency
Turkish lira (TRY); New Turkish Lira (YTL) until 31.12.08
Standard of Living
The Times Online recently reported that Turkey is in the Top 10 of holiday destinations when measured for value for products. The standard of living relative to cost is exceptionally high and Turkey is fast becoming one of the most popular places for investing abroad. A high percentage of people are satisfied with their current standard of living, however, a generation divide is apparent, with the younger generation expressing economic optimism and the older less happy with current standards.
Private Healthcare has flourished in Turkey in the last decade and care is on a par with international standards. Many of the doctors and physicians have received extensive training and experience in the US, UK or Germany. Most private hospitals and clinics have contracts with various international insurance companies.
Transport
Getting around Turkey is easy by road or air transportation.
International and domestic flights are served by the numerous airports dotted around the country. All major cities are connected with motorways up to Western standards, making it comfortable to drive from place to place. Alternatively, the Turkish coach network is comprehensive and affordable. Most coaches have drinks services, make ample comfort stops, meal stops and even have internet Wifi on board!
Passports/Visa
To enter Turkey, citizens of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Hong Kong (Only BNO-British National Overseas passport holders), Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK, USA and Canada, must obtain a visa on arrival in Turkey. This is easy to do and permits the holder to multiple entry within a three month period but not to work. The current cost is £10 or its' equivalent is also payable in Turkish Lira.
For further Visa information, visit: Turkish Embassy
Food & Drink
Turkish cuisine has been rated as one of the three great cuisines of the world, along with French and Chinese. During the 500 years of Ottoman rule, Turkish culinary skills were developed and many people from different cultures settled in Turkey and brought further inspiration to the cooking. Access to fresh ingredients and infinite varieties of poultry, fish, fruit and vegetables and a countless number of spices were used. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1919, Turkey started to produce wine and is now one of the world's largest grape producers with two large Wine producers, Doluca and Kavaklidere. Efes is the only large Turkish owned beer brand and has a large export market. In addition, Raki, an alcoholic drink flavoured with aniseed was born in Turkey. According to Turks, it's the best medicine for preventing illness and so is drunk on a large scale, particularly in accompaniment to a fish meal and is known colloquially as 'lions' milk'!
10 fascinating Turkey facts
- The oldest known human settlement in the world is located in Catalhoyuk, Turkey, dating back to 6500 B.C.
- Writing was first used by people of ancient Turkey. The first clay tablets - in the ruins of Assyrian Karum - dating back to 1950 BC.
- The highest mountain in Turkey, Mount Ararat at approximately 17,000 ft is where many archaeologists and Biblical scholars believe Noah's Ark came to rest.
- Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum are found in Turkey.
- Hezarfan Ahmet Celebi a Turkish national was the first man ever to fly. Using two wings, he flew from the Galata Tower over the Bosphorus to land in Uskudar in the 17th Century.
- St Nicholas, know as Santa Claus today was born and lived in Demre (Myra) on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The village contains the famous church of St Nicholas, which houses the sarcophagus believed to be his tomb.
- Turkey was one of the pioneers for women's rights and equality (full suffrage 1934). Turkey had the first female Prime Minister in 1993. Recent statistics indicate that 50% of the professors and 30% of medical doctors in Turkey are women. On a % basis, Turkish women in some professions relative to the U.S.: 5 times more dentists, 3 times more architects, 50% more engineers, 50% more lawyers
- Tulips are the national flower of Turkey and were introduced to the Dutch in the 16th Century.
- Julius Caesar, upon defeating the Pontus in Turkey, issued his celebrated proclamation, Veni, Vidi, Vici ("I came, I saw, I conquered")
- Turkey is the birthplace of many historic figures and legends: The poet Homer, King Midas, Heredotus (the father of history), and St Paul the Apostle. The great poet Homer was born in Izmir on the Aegean coast of Turkey.