Turkey is a transcontinental country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, with the majority of its territory in Western Asia and a smaller portion in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan (the exclave of Nakhchivan) and Iran to the east, Iraq and Syria to the south.

With a population of over 83 million people, Turkey is the world's 19th most populous country. Its capital and largest city is Ankara, while Istanbul is the most populous city and the country's economic, cultural, and historic center.

Turkey is a democratic, secular, and unitary republic with a diverse cultural heritage, and has a mixed economy that is transitioning from a predominantly agricultural to service-based economy. It is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO, OECD, OSCE, WTO, OIC, and G-20.

Turkey is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes. It is home to many historical and cultural landmarks, including the ancient city of Troy, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapı Palace. The country is also famous for its cuisine, which is a fusion of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences.

In recent years, Turkey has faced some domestic and international challenges, including political instability, economic difficulties, and ongoing conflicts in neighboring countries. However, it remains a key player in the region and continues to pursue its goals of democratization, modernization, and regional peace and stability.

Telephone Code
90

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 112; Fire: 112; Police: 112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Currency (Code)
Turkish liras (TRY)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Turkish, Kurdish, other minority languages

Major Religions
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christian and Jews)

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Istanbul (includes Hagia Sofia & Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace); Ephesus; Pamukkale; Sumela Monastery; Mount Nemrut; Goreme National Park & rock sites of Cappadocia; Troy ruins; Catalhoyuk

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, volleyball

Cultural Practices
Removing shoes in Turkish homes is customary. Be careful not to point your bare feet at anyone though, as this is often considered taboo.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping 10-15% in restaurants, cafes, and bars is typical. Hotel staff expect 5-20 liras for their services. Round up taxi fares.

Souvenirs
Turkish/Kilim rugs, nargile smoking pipes, evil eye items, Turkish Delight candy, ceramics and pottery, copperwork, inlaid woodwork, chess sets, musical instruments, Turkish coffee sets and coffee, leather items, gold jewelry and onyx and mother-of-pearl items, embroidered items

Traditional Cuisine
Döner Kebab — grilled, sliced, or shaved seasoned lamb and/or beef shredded from a vertical skewer and typically folded in flat bread with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cucumbers; cheese is also occasionally added

Geography
Area
total: 783,562 sq km
land: 769,632 sq km
water: 13,930 sq km

Climate
temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Natural resources
coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower

People and Society
Population
83,593,483 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 6-11% (2016 est.)

Languages
Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Religions
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Population growth rate
0.64% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Ankara

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income, diversified Middle Eastern economy; economic instability from 2016 attempted coup and 2018 currency recession; hit hard by COVID-19, increasing poverty and unemployment; endemic corruption; large agriculture labor force

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.668 trillion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$31,500 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
milk, wheat, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, watermelons, apples

Industries
textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Exports
$282.851 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 9%, United Kingdom 6%, Iraq 5%, Italy 5%, United States 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, jewelry, clothing and apparel (2019)

Imports
$285.578 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 11%, China 9%, Russia 9%, United States 5%, Italy 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
gold, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, vehicle parts, scrap iron (2019)