Turkey Quick Facts
Population: 76.8 million
Main Language: Turkish.
Main Religion: Muslim
Currency: Turkey New Lira (I USD = 1.49 TRY)
Capital: Ankara
Size: 780,580 sq km, slightly larger than Texas or almost the size of France and United Kingdom combined.
Location: On two continents: Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia, with coast on both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Neighbors : Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Syria
Climate: Temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior.
Turkey is today celebrating Republic Day. It emerged as the successor state to the Ottoman Empire on October 29, 1923.
The nation’s history dates back to the Antique era. It has lived through periods of being a great power; from the Byzantine to the Ottoman Empire. And it has finally transformed under Ataturk to the modern secular Turkey of today. Perhaps Turkey will end up more European than Asian, since it is in serious although controversial talks about joining the European Union.
And as far as tourism infrastructure is concerned Turkey has come a very long way in the past 10 years, unfortunately so have the prices. It is no longer the super bargain it once was. But Turkey still offer great value with its splendid coast, favorable climate, unique location, excellent hotels and resorts, rich history, culture, architecture, food, shopping, entertainment, vibrant nightlife, etc.
Also check out our past articles about Turkey:
• TURKEY – GREAT DESTINATION ON 2 CONTINENTS
• TURKEY – WHERE ASIA MEETS EUROPE
• ONE OF EUROPE’S NEW STYLE CAPITALS: ISTANBUL!
• HAMAM EXPERIENCE IN ISTANBUL
• TURKEY CELEBRATES SOVEREIGNTY DAY
• TURKEY’S WELL KEPT SECRET
• EXPLORE ISTANBUL!