Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye), known officially as the Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti), is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian Peninsula in southwest Asia and the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey borders eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan (the Nakhichevan exclave), and Iran to the east, Iraq and Syria to the southeast. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean Sea to the west, and the Black Sea to the north. Turkey also contains the Sea of Marmara, which is used by geographers to mark the border between Europe and Asia, thus making Turkey transcontinental.

The name for Turkey in the Turkish language, Türkiye, can be divided into two words: Türk, which means "strong" in Old Turkic and usually signifying the inhabitants of Turkey or a member of the Turkish or Turkic peoples, a later form of "tu-kin", name given by the Chinese to the people living south of the Altay Mountains of Central Asia as early as 177 BC;] and the abstract suffix -iye, which means "owner" or "related to". The first recorded use of the term "Türk" or "Türük" as an autonym is contained in the Orkhon inscriptions of the Göktürks (Sky Turks) of Central Asia (c. 8th century CE). The English word "Turkey" is derived from the Medieval Latin "Turchia" (c. 1369).

The region comprising modern Turkey has overseen the birth of major civilizations such as the East Roman and Ottoman Empires. Because of its strategic location, where two continents meet, Turkey's culture has a unique blend of Eastern and Western tradition, often described as a bridge between the two civilizations. A powerful regional presence from the Adriatic Sea to China in the Eurasian landmass between Russia and India, Turkey has come to acquire increasing strategic significance.

 

Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic whose political system was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I. Since then, Turkey has become increasingly integrated with the West while continuing to foster relations with the Eastern world. It is a founding member of the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, a member state of the Council of Europe since 1949, and of NATO since 1952. Since 2005, Turkey has been in accession negotiations with the European Union, having been an associate member since 1963. Turkey is also a member of the G20, which brings together the 20 largest economies of the world.

DESTINATIONS

Istanbul, which was known as a capital of the capital cities, and created a big peace of geographies with regaining to first Roma, and then Eastern Roman (Byzantium) Empire and continents, and was the capital city of Ottoman Empire, is going to a modern future with preserving magnificence of History with proud. Variety in Istanbul is really charming the visitors. It is serving infinite nuances with its museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaar places and natural beauties. When you lean against backside at the coast of the strait, you feel Istanbul as "center of the world" and understand why people select this extraordinary place centuries before with watching the reflection of the red at sun set from the houses at the coast.

Pergamum King Aktallos II. ordered his soilders to discover the retreat of heaven on earth.Upon this command, the soilders had wondered around it till they came to the place of Antalya and exclaimed " This is heaven". Then founded city “Attalia" today enables you to feel like you are in heaven. Stretching out along the coastline of Antalya, Alanya, Manavgat-Side, Kemer, Kas, Finike, Serik, Demre and many other destinations expect you for a holiday never to be forgotten...

Cappadocian Region and displays a beautiful combination of nature and History. The geographic movements had formed the peribacalarini and during the historical development process, mankind had settled and inhabited these natural wonders, fairy chimneys and carved houses and churches inside these formations and adorned these settlements with frescos, carrying the traces of the thousands of years of their civilizations. The current CappadocianRegion is an area covering Nevsehir, Aksaray, Nigde, Kayseri and as for the more narrow rocky Cappadocian Region, Üçhisar, Ürgüp, Avanos, Göreme, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Ihlara and its environs will be included.

If someone was claim that the most scenic vistas in Anatolia can be found on the coasts of the Aegean, he could not be accused of exaggerating. In the words of Heredotus, the Aegean coasts "have the most beautiful sky and the best climate in the world." The bays and peninsulas, coves and golden beaches stretch the length of these beautiful shores. In this region where the countless events of mythology took place, at almost every turn, you will encounter the theaters, temples and agoras of Ancient cities:Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kusadasi, Selçuk, Bergama, Foça, Çesme, Pamukkale...

REGIONS

Whether you are an art and History buff, an archaeology nut or a nature lover, enjoy browsing through markets or going diving, the different regions of Turkey offer endless possibilities all year round. Each area has its own personality, History, landscape and even cuisine, and with so much on offer to visitors it is not surprising that one trip to Turkey is never enough.

Surrounded by four different seas, Turkey is a beach paradise with over 8000 km of sunny strips of sand. It also has an abundance of plant and wildlife species that can be enjoyed while camping or trekking in the many national parks which are dotted around the country.

Home to more than 20 different fascinating civilisations, Turkey has a 10,000 year-old heritage, much of which is still being uncovered. Its rich History is very much part of the present, with temples, Ancient theatres, churches, mosques, tombs, statues of gods, palaces and fortresses, and of course the many detailed and fascination museums which bring the past to life.

And of course in cities like Istanbul, there is a modern, lively ambience of contemporary society living alongside tradition, where art and music can be enjoyed whether it belongs to today or yesteryear.

    The Mediterranean

    Beginning from the south of splendid Toros Mountains lies the Mediterranean coast with beautiful sceneries, sandy beaches, secluded coves, tranquil ruin places and attractive holiday facilities...

    Aegean

    It will be out of exaggeration to depict Anatolia presenting its utmost spectacles to Agean coasts. As to Heredot's statement "Embracing the most beautiful sky and mildest climate of the world" gulfs and peninsulas, coves and golden beaches line up one after the other among the Agean coast...

    The Black Sea Region

    Coasts curling besides mountains covered with very green forests, valleys and plains. Fields of tea, hazelnut, tobacco and corn, highway parallel to narrow coastline, coves,villages and beaches...

    Central Anatolian Region

    Being in the center of Turkey, Central Anatolian Region embodies assorted beauties.Having been witness to the transitions of important civilizations, today the region is the political center of Turkey.

    East and Southeast Anatolia

    With its high mountain ranges, valleys, plains and lakes,streams and riverbeds integrated with colors of purple, brown, grey, yellow and red ,and adorned with the unique architectural samples of Turkish culture, East and Southeast Anatolian Region bring to the sight pleasurable panoramic views...

    Marmara

    Hills of various sizes,fields of sunflowers and vineyards as far as the eye can see. And Trakya constituting the European side of Turkey.The region separated from Anatolia by Bosphorus, The Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles. A traveller from Europe on his/her arrival to Edirne first encounters the masterpiece of Mimar Sinan, Selimiye Mosque.This province boasts to have the most authentic works of Ottoman architecture.

ACTIVITIES

Geographic structure of Turkey is an appropriate ground for hunting in connection with its plant cover and wild life.

Turkey is an important center of winter activities and attractions with its high altitude mountains covered with snow all throughout the year.

All throughout its History as the homeland of various religions,Turkey posses monuments worth seeing by people having different beliefs.

Anatolia is formed on one of the most important junction points of Silk Road from China to reaching to Europe through passing over Middle Asia.

Turkey with its rich and curative mineral waters is the paradise of thermal springs and welcomes the ones seeking for good health with its high quality facilities..

Located on the junction point of Europe and Assia,Turkey is an ideal venue of meetings and congresses..

In recent years, since the golf facilities with international quality entered into service respectively, Turkey has become an elite golf center where golf players all around the world meet in an environment of delicacy, quality and prestige...

Having the great majority of its population made up of young people,Turkey embodies youth hostels and facilities providing,the young people living abroad and in Turkey,the opportunity to enjoy an inexpensive holiday...

Surrounded by the sea in three directions, Turkey is a treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and bays at which yachtsmen can choose a different and private anchorage each night...

Various geographic characteristics, climate variety, caused by geographical differences enables Turkey to have a rarely encountered vegetation in the world...

With an approximate number of 40.000 caves and caverns present, our country is like a ' paradise of caverns ' when compared to other countries...

The highlands of Turkey and the lifestyle of its people have an important place in the rich cultural landscape of Turkey...

Turkey is a country which should be discovered by those fond of air sports such as, Paragliding, Glider, Parachute and Balloon...

Turkey presents mountains lovers with an incredible variety of interesting climbing opportunities that are sure to satisfy the most demanding hikers, climbers, and winter sports fans....

Turkey, with its rich natural resources, provide an important river tourism potantial for the visitors of water sports...

Important submerged things and underwater caverns within the seas of Turkey are waiting divers for discovery...

Ornithology is to discover the nature trough the eyes of a bird...

GEOGRAPHY and CLIMATE

The territory of Turkey is more than 1,600 kilometres (1,000 mi) long and 800 km (500 mi) wide, with a roughly rectangular shape.[60] Turkey's area, inclusive of lakes, occupies 779,452 square kilometres (300,948 sq mi), of which 755,688 square kilometres (291,773 sq mi) are in Southwest Asia and 23,764 square kilometres (9,174 sq mi) in Europe, thus making Turkey a transcontinental country. Turkey's size makes it the world's 37th-largest country (after Mozambique). It is somewhat bigger than Chile or the U.S. state of Texas. Turkey is encircled by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Turkey also contains the Sea of Marmara in the northwest.

The European section of Turkey, in the northwest, is Eastern Thrace, and forms the borders of Turkey with Greece and Bulgaria. The Asian part of the country, Anatolia (also called Asia Minor), consists of a high central plateau with narrow coastal plains, in between the Köroglu and East-Black Sea mountain range to the north and the Taurus Mountains to the south. Eastern Turkey has a more mountainous landscape, and is home to the sources of rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris and Aras, and contains Lake Van and Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest point at 5,165 metres (16,946 ft).

Turkey is geographically divided into seven regions: Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean. The uneven north Anatolian terrain running along the Black Sea resembles a long, narrow belt. This region comprises approximately one-sixth of Turkey's total land area. As a general trend, the inland Anatolian plateau becomes increasingly rugged as it progresses eastward.

Mount Agri is the highest peak in Turkey at 5,165 m (16,946 ft) and is located in the Igdir Province in the Eastern Anatolia region.

Turkey's varied landscapes are the product of complex earth movements that have shaped the region over thousands of years and still manifest themselves in fairly frequent earthquakes and occasional volcanic eruptions. The Bosporus and the Dardanelles owe their existence to the fault lines running through Turkey that led to the creation of the Black Sea. There is an earthquake fault line across the north of the country from west to east, which caused a major earthquake in 1999.

The climate is a Mediterranean temperate climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet and cold winters, though conditions can be much harsher in the more arid interior. Mountains close to the coast prevent Mediterranean influences from extending inland, giving the interior of Turkey a continental climate with distinct seasons. The central Anatolian Plateau is much more subject to extremes than coastal areas. Winters on the plateau are especially severe. Temperatures of -30 °C to -40 °C (-22 °F to -40 °F) can occur in the mountainous areas in the east, and snow may lie on the ground 120 days of the year. In the west, winter temperatures average below 1 °C (34 °F). Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures generally above 30 °C (86 °F) in the day. Annual precipitation averages about 400 millimetres (15 in), with actual amounts determined by elevation. The driest regions are the Konya plain and the Malatya plain, where annual rainfall frequently is less than 300 millimetres (12 in). May is generally the wettest month, whereas July and August are the most dry.

PRESERVED AREAS

A recent notion have been spread out all around the world to stop the hazards that the natural life faces due to the destructive effects let by the unconscious employement of developing technologies. Acording to the data of The World Conservation Union(IUCN),while %5 of the total surface area of the world seperated as preserved area,this reaches to %10 among considerate countries.

In Turkey a policy of protection and conservation of the stunning natural and cultural assets and the fields symbolizing our victorious battles has already been established on national and international bases; and preserved areas of different statues have been designated in order to be bequeathed to the future generations. With in the frames of the law that has been come into force in 1883, 4 types of definition of preserved areas come to the ground as; National Parks, Preserved Areas, Nature Parks and Nature Monuments.