Official Name:The Republic of Turkey

Capital:Ankara

Location:Eastern mediterranean.Located between two continents;Asia, Europe&at a longitude of 36º N to 42º and a latitude of 26º E to 45º

Area:814.578 square kilometers(%3 on the European Continent (Thrace), %97 on the Asian Continent(Anatolia))

Population:67.8 million (as of 2002)

Major cities:İstanbul (10 million)

                        Ankara (4 million)

                        İzmir(3.4 million)

                        Bursa(2.1 million)

                        Konya(2.2 million)

                        Adana(1.8 million)

Religion:%99 of the population, Muslims

                 %1   of the population, Others

The Land Borders:On the Asia continent;

                                               Independent States (610 kilometers)

                                               Iran (454 kilometers)

                                               Iraq (331 kilometers)

                                               Syria (877 kilometers)

                                    On the Euroean Continent;

                                                Greece(212 kilometers)

                                                Bulgaria(269 kilometers)  

Composition of GNP:Agriculture:12.9%

(as of 2001)                   Industry:25.3%

                                        Services:61.8%

Turkey is located at a point where the three continents making up the old world  Asia, Africa and Europe are closest to each other, and straddle the point where Europe and Asia meet.Because of its geographical location between Middle East, Balkans and Caucasia, Türkiye has a significant geo-politic position in the world policy.

Anatolia has also always been attractive for many human groups throughout the history, and is the birthplace of many great civilizations. It has been prominent as a centre of commerce because of its territorial connections to three continents and the seas surrounding it on three sides. Anatolia is the birthplace of the Ancient Greeks, East Rome Empire (Byzantium), Ottoman Empire .It has many landmarks as heritages of these civilizations such as Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ancient City of Troy, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Göreme-Cappadocia, Mt.Nemrut, Safranbolu, Mevlevi  Boğazköy-Hattushash, Mt. Nemrut Remains, Xanthos-Lethoon, Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital, Troy, Pamukkale and Göreme-Cappadocia. These are registered on the World Heritage List for preservation for future generations.

Istanbul, the biggest city of Turkey, has played an important role in the world history. It was the capital of East Rome and Ottoman Empires. Its historical importance and population of approximately 10 million make it one of the most important and strategic cities of the world, today.