turkey

Turkey is a transcontinental country located mainly in Western Asia with a smaller portion in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by eight countries and lies along the Aegean, Black Sea, and Mediterranean coasts. The capital is Ankara, and the largest city is Istanbul. The official language is Turkish, and the currency is the Turkish lira. The population is about 85 million, and the country uses a year-round time zone of UTC+3.

Turkey was established as a republic in 1923 after the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It is a unitary state with a presidential system. Following reforms approved in 2017 and enacted in 2018, the president serves as both head of state and government. The unicameral Grand National Assembly (Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi) has 600 seats. The country is divided into 81 provinces.

Turkey has a mixed economy with a substantial services sector and notable industrial activity. Leading industries include automotive, textiles, electronics, construction, and agriculture, while tourism remains a major contributor to GDP. Major trading partners include European and Middle Eastern economies. The country participates in regional and international organizations and maintains a varied foreign policy.

Historically, Anatolia has hosted ancient civilizations and empires, including the Hittites, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The modern Republic of Turkey emerged in the aftermath of World War I and pursued secular, western-oriented reforms under Atatürk. Today, it is a diverse society with rich cultural traditions in cuisine, language, music, and the arts.