General Information About Turkiye
Turkey, also called Türkiye, occupies a unique geographic position, partly in Asia and partly in Europe. Throughout its history, it has acted as both a barrier and a bridge between the two continents.
The country has a north-south extent that ranges from about 300 to 400 miles (480 to 640 km) and stretches about 1,000 miles from west to east. Turkey is bounded on the north by the Black Sea, on the northeast by Georgia and Armenia, on the east by Azerbaijan and Iran, on the southeast by Iraq and Syria, on the southwest and west by the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea, and the northwest by Greece and Bulgaria. The capital is Ankara, and its largest city and seaport is Istanbul.
Geographically, the Republic of Turkey is a bridge between Europe and Asia. Due to its location, surrounded by sea on three sides, Turkey has always been the center of great trade, silk, and spice routes. Today, even in the most inaccessible or isolated corners, one can quickly feel and see the traces of different cultures.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded the Republic in 1923, which marked the end of the long reign of the Ottoman Empire. Since then, Turkey has developed into a modern, democratic state, but at the same time, careful measures ensure that culture and traditions continue to live and evolve. Turkey is currently a candidate for membership in the European Union.
Turkey has diverse cultures, beliefs, ideas, nature, and history. This diversity is reflected in the landscape, which is the life support and habitat for 70 million people. The Turkish landscape encompasses a wide variety of geographical zones. This landscape has the combined characteristics of three continents of the world: Europe, Africa, and Asia. Between 2000 B.C. and A.D.1500, Anatolia was the center of world civilization, manifested in the ruins and monuments adorn today’s landscape. Turkey is also known for its abundance and diversity of handicrafts, cuisine, music, customs, and traditions due to its rich flora, fauna and regional differentiation, and imperial legacy.
Turkey’s focal points are its three largest cities: İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir, which have become major urban centers of their historical heritage and modern design. Mythology and history are intermingled in Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, with its beautiful beaches and seaside resorts. Myra (now called Demre), near Antalya, is where St. Nicholas is buried. “Cappadocia,” named during the Roman Empire, was a well-known religious center during the Byzantine Empire. Even today, cave dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tuff merge harmoniously into the landscape. The Black Sea region is renowned for its mountainous green terrain. The 14th-century “Sumela Monastery” (Virgin Mary) is perched on a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Nemrut Mountain in Adıyaman is where the tomb of King Antiochus I was built two thousand years ago, surrounded by vast stone heads of gods. In the east, Mount Ararat, where Noah’s ark is believed to be buried, rises to a height of 5,165 meters. On the ancient Silk Road, near Kars, lie the ruins of the medieval city Ani.
These are just a few of the characteristics and excitements of Turkey. In general, Turkey fascinates, astonishes, and informs. The most thrilling aspect of visiting Turkey is participating actively in this landscape.