Turkey (World map of countries)

Author: Li Jing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-01
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 diverse and varied geographical environment. Traveling from east to west, you can experience its long, harsh winters, see snow-capped mountains year-round, and witness the white birch trees blooming in the spring on the highlands. You can also enjoy its cool summers, watch the rivers flowing gently, and see the endless wheat fields in the steppe region. These wheat fields, under the sun's, sometimes appear as vast purple carpets and at other times emit a gray glow, quickly transforming into warm and golden hues, ever-changing. Moving from north to south, along the Black Sea coast protected by rolling mountains, the landscape is warm and lush, abundant in hazelnuts, corn, and tea. Following the winding mountain gorges and coastal roads, as you gaze at the wild Black Sea, you enter the plateau region. Here, the scenery is entirely different: grassy slopes, vast grasslands, and the boundless 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 Turkey's long and glorious history and culture. Between 2000 BC and 1500 AD, Turkey was the center of world civilization. In the Anatolian Civilization Museum in Ankara, you can see replicas of the world's earliest farming communities, dating back to about 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 across the countryside, standing strong after centuries. There are countless ancient cultural sites. In the inland regions of Anatolia, ancient civilizations are known for many similar legends: the wealthy Lydian King Croesus, the king who turned objects 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 markets selling a variety of items such as silverware, copperware, carpets, and gold jewelry. After admiring Turkey's vibrant and harmonious sights and sounds, you can take home a piece of Turkish charm.
Country Name: Republic of Turkey
Etymology of the Country Name: The word "Turkey" evolved from "Turk." In Tartar, "Turk" means "brave," and "Turkey" translates to "the land of the brave."
National Anthem: "National Anthem of Independence."
National Flower: Tulip.
Area: 780,576 square kilometers.
Population: 60 million (1993).
Ethnicity: Turks constitute over 80% of the population, with Kurds, Arabs, Armenians, and others making up the rest.
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: Turks, known historically as Turks, migrated from the Altai Mountains to Anatolia in the 8th century and established the Ottoman Empire in the late 13th century, reaching its peak in the 16th century. In the early 20th century, it became a semi-colony of Britain, France, Germany, and other countries. The Republic of Turkey was established on October 29, 1923, with Kemal elected as 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 branch and the rest to the Alawite branch.
Administrative Divisions: The country is divided into 73 provinces, about 600 districts, 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 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.