Map of Turkey (China-foreign comparison)

Author: Compiled by the Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-01
Features: Turkey is located on the coast of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, spanning both Europe and Asia. Its scenery is so beautiful that it leaves one breathless, much like its carpets that are a delight to the eye. Turkey boasts a rich and diverse geographical environment. Traveling from east to west, you can experience its long and harsh winters, see snow-covered mountains year-round, and witness the white birch trees blooming in the highlands in spring. You can also enjoy its cool summers, watch the rivers flowing gently, and see the endless wheat fields in the dry grassland areas. These wheat fields, under the sunlight, sometimes appear as vast purple carpets and at other times emit a gray glow, quickly transforming into warm and golden hues, always changing in beauty. Moving from north to south, along the Black Sea coast where the mountains form a continuous backdrop, the climate is warm and lush, producing hazelnuts, corn, and tea. Following the winding roads through the high mountain gorges and coastal areas, as you gaze at the expansive and roaring Black Sea, you enter the plateau region. There, the scenery is entirely different—rolling grassy slopes, vast open plains, and the infinite Konya Plain. After crossing the Taurus Mountains and the evergreen forests, you gradually approach the Mediterranean coast, where you can enjoy the laurel, thyme, and other plants. Just as remarkable as the natural scenery is the long and glorious history and culture of Turkey. Between 2000 BC and 1500 AD, Turkey was the center of world civilization. In the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara, you can see replicas of the world's earliest farming communities, dating back to around 7000 BC. The magnificent aqueduct bridges built by the Romans made the city more centralized. Bridges built by Sinan and other Ottoman architects are scattered throughout the countryside, standing strong after centuries. There are countless ancient cultural sites. In the inland regions of Anatolia, ancient civilizations have left behind many similar legends: the wealthy Lydian King Croesus, the king who could turn anything into gold, and the great general Alexander the Great. Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are Turkey's most prominent cities. In addition to numerous museums, historical sites, ruins, and taverns, there are also bustling bazaars selling a variety of goods such as silverware, copperware, carpets, and gold jewelry. After admiring Turkey's vibrant and harmonious scenery, you can take home a piece of Turkish charm.
Country Name: Republic of Turkey
Etymology of the Country Name: The term "Turkey" evolved from "Turk." In the Tartar language, "Turk" means "brave," and "Turkey" translates to "the land of the brave."
National Anthem: "National March."
National Flower: Tulip.
Area: 780,576 square kilometers.
Population: 60 million (1993).
Ethnicity: Turks constitute over 80% of the population, with others including Kurds, Arabs, Armenians, etc.
Religion: 98% of the population follows Islam.
Language: Turkish is the official language.
Capital: Ankara.
Major Cities: Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Bursa.
Currency: Turkish Lira.
Head of State: President Suleyman Demirel, who took office on May 16, 1993.
Located across both Asia and Europe. Borders Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Greece, and Bulgaria, and is adjacent to the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Coastline: 3,518 kilometers.
Climate: The coastal regions have a subtropical Mediterranean climate, while the inland areas have a continental climate. Average temperatures range from 14–20°C and 4–18°C, respectively.
History: The Turks, known historically as Turks, migrated from the Altai Mountains to Anatolia in the 8th century. In 1289, they established the Ottoman Empire, which reached its peak in the 16th century and became a semi-colony of Britain, France, Germany, and other countries in the early 20th century. On October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey was established, and Kemal was elected president.
Population: 62 million (as of November 1997).
Ethnicity: Turks constitute over 80%, with Kurds accounting for about 15%.
Language: Turkish is the national language, and 99% of the population follows Islam, with 85% belonging to the Sunni sect and the rest to the Alawite sect.
Administrative Divisions: The country is divided into 73 provinces, approximately 600 counties, and over 36,000 villages.
Politics: The constitution stipulates that the Grand National Assembly is the sole legislative body, and the president is elected by the Grand National Assembly.
Economy: Turkey is rich in mineral resources, with chromium reserves of 100 million tons, ranking among the world's top producers. The country has a relatively strong agricultural base in the Middle East and a certain industrial foundation. For many years, Turkey has faced issues such as high inflation, large fiscal deficits, income inequality, and high unemployment rates. In 1990, the government implemented a series of measures to strengthen financial control, liberalize imports, and stabilize the exchange rate, achieving some results.
Currency Name: Turkish Lira.