Türkiye

Türkiye, officially Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Western Asia with a smaller portion in Southeastern Europe. It lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is bordered by eight countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It controls the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, linking the Black Sea with the Aegean and Mediterranean. Its coasts border the Aegean, Black, Marmara, and Mediterranean seas.

Geographically diverse, it spans plateaus, mountains, and coastal plains. The capital is Ankara; the largest city is Istanbul. The population is around 85–90 million. Turkish is the official language, with Kurdish and other minority languages spoken. Most residents identify with Islam, though the state is secular.

Türkiye is a unitary presidential republic since 2018. The president serves as head of state and government, with a multiparty system and a unicameral Grand National Assembly. It has been a NATO member since 1952 and is a long-standing candidate for European Union accession.

The economy is diversified and upper-middle income, with services contributing most to GDP, followed by industry and agriculture. Key sectors include automotive manufacturing, textiles, tourism, and energy. The country hosts numerous UNESCO sites and features a rich cultural heritage in cuisine, music, and the arts.

Historically, Anatolia has housed civilizations such as the Hittites, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Republic of Türkiye was established in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who implemented secular, modernization reforms. Today, Türkiye maintains secular constitutional principles within a pluralist political environment.