Location: Europe/Asia
Capital City: Ankara
Population: 74 million
Government: Turkey is a parliamentary representative democracy. Its head of state is the president and the executive branch is led by the Prime Minister. The legislature is the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Currency: Turkish Lira
Main Language: Turkish
Main Religions: Muslim (90%), mostly Sunni
Other Facts
Istanbul (formerly known as Constantinople) is the only city in the world that is located on two continents, Europe and Asia.
The ancient history of Turkey is of great interest to scholars (especially archaeologists) and tourists. The world’s oldest recorded human settlement is in the country and dates from 7500 BC. The region has always been an important conduit between the ‘east’ and the ‘west’. In the Renaissance trade goods such as silks and spices reached Europe via ports in what is now Turkey. Coffee was also first introduced to Europe via Turkey. It is compulsory for Turkish men to do some form of military service.
