Turkey

Name: Turkey — country profile data
Creator: CountryReports

Turkiye

Capital:Ankara

Population:77.8M

Currency:Yenmi Turk Lira (TRY)

Language:Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Turkey.

Turkey Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Turkey has been interacting with Europe and Asia for many years, and have integrated qualities from both cultures. Wealth is mostly defined by cash; in country sites by gold and land. Poorest members of the society mostly dream about a life with more cash and in big cities.

They mostly believe that in big cities they can increase their life quality; however this is not always true. Most of the people are working for their children to have high level of education which is highly valued. Those who have high level education, work to gain leisure opportunities. In big cities “working for leisure opportunities” is increasing. Turks are proud of both past and present achievements. Turks value a good sense of humor, honesty, and intelligence.

Cultural Attributes

Crossroads of Empires, Bridge of Cultures

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Greetings vary depending on the environment in which one is situated rather than on age. “Merhaba” would be a regular greeting that can be used with acquaintances, friends, and strangers in a respectful manner, whereas one would not say “iyi günler” to his/her friends. ”Selaminaleyküm“ is a religiously connoted greeting that is highly used in “kahves(local coffee shops for men)” and in the rural area.

Turks greet each other by hugging and kissing from cheeks between friends and close family members. Turks greet elder ones by kissing their hands and touching our foreheads to their hands. Turks greet formal people by shaking hands and using professional titles.

When getting someone's attention one would say “Pardon” or “afferdersiniz”(sorry) .

Formally, when talking with another Turks stay close to the person with eye contact and shake hands while talking, hugging each other and listening carefully. Informally, Turks stay half-arm away, shake hands and listen to them carefully with eye contact and do not put their hands in their pockets. Turks generally use their hands a great deal during conversation.

Turks do not put their feet on a desk or table. Pointing the sole of one's foot toward another is considered rude. Public displays of affection are not acceptable.

Socializing mostly involves food as saying “I share my food with you, I trust you”. Sometimes it involves table games too. Except in big cities, mostly younger villagers visit elder ones and discuss family issues or country matters. Turks usually do not turn away the visitor, they do everything they can do to accept them. First-time visitors to a home may bring a small gift, such as candy, fruit, or flowers.

There are “kahves” where men drink tea or Turkish coffee and play cards. Women have day visits where heavy eating is involved.

Personal space varies depending on the environment. In rural areas, personal space gets smaller. In larger towns stranger people making physical contact and not constructing a personal space is common. People who satisfy themselves with handshakes also respect personal space. Acquaintances attach more importance to eye contact than personal space. When guests are leaving every guest is hugged and then they are watched while they are leaving. When the guest is a family member and they are leaving for a long time water is poured onto the pathway they walk and they are old "go and come back as fast as water".

Western-style clothing is the most common. European fashions are popular among the youth. Some younger women prefer to wear pants, jeans, and T-shirts casually, but they also like to put on more “womanly” clothes such as mini skirts and high heels. Many women cover their heads, some in a modern fashion, and some in a more traditional way. In summer in the metropolis areas such as Ankara, Istanbul Turks do not wear the same clothes as they wear in the holiday places, near the sea such as Antalya.

There are many traditional clothes in Turkey, but most are not used today. The most common tradition clothes would be when new brides wear red cloth with golden designs one day before the wedding.

Diet

Meals are usually eaten at home, if the family members are close to the house. If not, children eat at school, workers eat near to their workplace or mostly within the refectory of their workplace. Turkish dishes are sis kebab, sis kofte and doner kebab. These dishes, made with fresh lamb or beef, are grilled with onion and other vegetables. Fish and rice pilaf are also popular.

In Ramadan month, food is served only during the evening and late at night, this is a tradition of Islam. In Turkey, it is believed that it is healthier to eat when sitting on the floor. Some families have the elder members sit at the beginning of the table and mothers closer to the kitchen. Hands are mostly kept clean and above the table. Breakfast, usually includes bread with jam, butter or honey, and tea. Lunch and dinner may include soup, rice, vegetables, macaroni, stews or salads. Dinner is a family affair, the dishes are served on a large tray, which is placed on a low table or on the floor. The family sits on cushions and pillows on the floor around the tray. Formal Turkish meals often begin with appetizers called meze.

For dessert, people usually eat fresh fruit or a pudding made with milk. Rich cakes and pastries are most often eaten as snacks with Turkish coffee. Turkish Delight (lokum) is a popular sweet. Other well-known dishes are cerkes tavugu, fresh pounded chicken and walnuts, and sigara boregi, cheese and spinach-filled deep-fried pastries. The famous kahve (Turkish coffee), a thick brew served in very small cups, is served with nearly every meal. a popular drinks are tea and ayran. Ayran is a mixture of water and yogurt with a pinch of salt. Boza is a traditional drink made from fermented bulgur wheat. The staple diet for people in rural areas is bread, eaten with onions, yogurt, olives, cheese, and occasionally pastirma, a dried spicy meat. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish are widely available in Turkey's villages.

Factory workers may eat at cafeterias, so may students. Workers in the field usually bring lunch to eat during a break from work.

Many foods are eaten with the fingers. When utensils are used, the continental style of eating is followed. At the dinner table usually, everyone has his/her place. Hands should not be on the table.

For dessert, people usually eat fresh fruit or a pudding made with milk. Rich cakes and pastries are most often eaten as snacks with Turkish coffee. Turkish Delight (lokum) is a popular sweet. Other well-known dishes are cerkes tavugu, fresh pounded chicken and walnuts, and sigara boregi, cheese and spinach-filled deep-fried pastries. A popular drink are tea and ayran. Ayran is a mixture of water and yogurt with a pinch of salt. Boza is a traditional drink made from fermented bulgur wheat. The staple diet for people in rural areas is bread, eaten with onions, yogurt, olives, cheese, and occasionally pastirma, a dried spicy meat. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish are widely available in Turkey's villages.

Family

The individual is loyal to one's family and dependent upon them as well. The Turkish household often times has extended family, consisting of a mother, father and their unmarried children. Sometimes married sons , with his wife and children will live at home with his parents. The married sons may remain until he is independent enough to live on his own and provide for his own family. In larger cities, women frequently work outside the home.

Dating Customs

Dating in the same manner as Western countries is not common. Typically, young people associate in groups rather than in pairs. It is against the law for women to marry before age fifteen, and men before age seventeen. The average age for marriage is twenty-five for men and twenty-two for women.

Recreation

Most of the children start playing sports when they are so young, as four years old. There are many sports played in Turkey and children play these as groups and continue playing in schools. Most of the games are played with balls. Most of the boys start playing football at early ages. In schools, football, volleyball, basketball and many other sports are carried on but less of them are continued professionally by the children.

Holidays

Independence Day
10/29
Independence Day
Christmas
12/25
Christmas
Islam is Turkey’s primary religion with about 1 percent of the people being Christians who celebrate Christmas on the Julian Calendar day of January 7th. Christmas is a three day celebration. Typical foods include Coffee, sweetmeats, fruit, lebban (sour milk), baklava (honey cake), etli fasulye (broth with beans and lamb), ic pilar (rice with pine nuts), labmacun dolmasi (stuffed cabbage leaves), borek (fried pastry stuffed with meat or cheese) tomato and cucumber salad with olive oil and vinegar, and kadayif (fruit pastry)

Dates of Interest

April
An annual festival that is held each April and features the blooming of millions of tulips in Istanbul's parks and gardens, along with cultural events and activities.

How do people greet each other in Turkey?

Greetings depend on the setting rather than age; "Merhaba" works with acquaintances, friends, and strangers respectfully, while formal situations call for handshakes and professional titles.

Use "Merhaba" as a versatile, respectful greeting
Shake hands and use professional titles with formal contacts
Greet elders by kissing their hand and touching it to your forehead
Say "Pardon" or "affedersiniz" to get someone's attention

Don’t

Don't use "iyi günler" with close friends

Good to know

"Selamünaleyküm" is a religiously connoted greeting common in men's coffee shops (kahves) and rural areas
Friends and close family hug and kiss on both cheeks

What are dining customs like in Turkey?

Meals, especially dinner, are a family affair, often served on a large tray on a low table or floor with the family seated on cushions; many foods are eaten with the fingers.

Keep your hands clean and above the table
Follow the continental style when utensils are used
Try dishes like sis kebab, doner kebab, fish and rice pilaf, and Turkish Delight (lokum)
Expect Turkish coffee (kahve) served with nearly every meal

Don’t

Don't rest your hands on the table
Don't expect meals during daytime in Ramadan, when food is served only in the evening and late at night

Good to know

Formal meals often begin with appetizers called meze
Popular drinks include tea, ayran (water, yogurt, and salt), and boza
It is believed healthier to eat while sitting on the floor; everyone usually has their own place at the table

What should I know about hospitality and social etiquette in Turkey?

Turks are highly hospitable, rarely turning away visitors and doing everything they can to welcome them, with socializing often centered on sharing food.

Bring a small gift like candy, fruit, or flowers as a first-time home visitor
Respect personal space, which varies by setting

Good to know

Sharing food signals trust: "I share my food with you, I trust you"
When guests leave, each is hugged and watched as they depart
Personal space is smaller in rural areas and larger in towns; acquaintances value eye contact over personal space

How should I dress in Turkey?

Western-style clothing is the most common, and European fashions are popular among youth; many women cover their heads in either modern or traditional ways.

Good to know

Clothing worn in metropolitan areas like Ankara and Istanbul differs from seaside holiday spots like Antalya in summer
Traditional clothes are rarely worn today, except items like a new bride's red cloth with golden designs before the wedding

What gestures should I be aware of in Turkey?

Turks use their hands a great deal in conversation and value eye contact and attentive listening.

Don’t

Don't put your feet on a desk or table
Don't point the sole of your foot toward another person
Don't show public displays of affection
Don't put your hands in your pockets in informal conversation

Good to know

Formally, people stand close with eye contact; informally, about half an arm's distance

What is family life like in Turkey?

Individuals are loyal to and dependent on their family, and households often include extended family, sometimes with married sons living with their parents until independent.

Good to know

In larger cities, women frequently work outside the home
Education for children is highly valued
Dating like in Western countries is uncommon; young people tend to socialize in groups

What do people do for recreation in Turkey?

Sports are hugely popular, with many children starting as young as four and playing in groups and at school.

Good to know

Most games involve balls, and many boys start playing football early
Schools offer football, volleyball, basketball and other sports, though few continue professionally

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Turkey

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Currency: Turkish lira (TRL)
Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate: The climate varies a great deal across Turkey. Precipitation is highest on the Black Sea, where, in Rize, an average of 98 inches of rain falls each year. Ankara averages only 14 inches (chiefly accumulating from November to May), and Antalya on the south coast gets about 28 inches. Istanbul has an average of 25 inches of annual precipitation. The plateau region has hot with very dry summers and temperatures in July that range from the mid-70s to the low 90s. The skies are almost always clear and cloudless during the day and nights are cool. Winters in this region are generally windy and cold (the mean temperature for January is 30°F). Around the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul, the average temperature is 83°F in July and 35°F in January. The south coast has long summers that are often hot and humid both night and day in the midsummer months (the average temperature in mid-August is 94°F), but it is very pleasant in spring and autumn. Winters in the south are usually fairly mild. The north coast Black Sea region tends to have cooler summers and warmer winters than the other coastal areas.
Airports: 120

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Recipes

Featured Dish

Turkish Coffee

Beverage

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History

Historical Eras

Ancient Anatolia
7500 BCE – 330
From Neolithic settlements at Çatalhöyük to the rise and fall of the Hittite Empire, Anatolia hosted some of the ancient world's most sophisticated civilizations. Persian conquest under Cyrus in 547 BCE and Alexander the Great's campaigns in 334 BCE brought successive Hellenistic influences. Rome and then Byzantium eventually absorbed the peninsula, culminating in Constantine's dedication of Constantinople as the New Rome in 330 CE.
Byzantine Era
330 – 1071
Constantinople served as the thriving capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for over seven centuries, preserving Greco-Roman culture and Orthodox Christianity. Byzantine Anatolia weathered Arab invasions, internal theological disputes, and persistent pressure from rival powers. The empire reached its apex under Justinian I but faced steady territorial erosion leading into the medieval period.
Seljuk & Early Ottoman
1071 – 1453
The Seljuk Turks' decisive victory at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 opened Anatolia to Turkic settlement and Islamization. The Crusades disrupted but did not reverse this transformation, and Mongol invasions fractured the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. From its small amirate near Bursa, founded around 1288, the Ottoman dynasty gradually absorbed rival principalities and advanced into the Balkans, setting the stage for the conquest of Constantinople.
Ottoman Empire
1453 – 1923
Mehmed II's conquest of Constantinople in 1453 established the Ottomans as the preeminent Islamic world power. The empire reached its greatest territorial and cultural zenith under Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1520–1566), stretching from Hungary to the Arabian Peninsula. Centuries of subsequent decline were marked by losing wars against Russia, the traumatic Balkan Wars, and Ottoman defeat in World War I, which dissolved the empire and triggered the Turkish War of Independence.
Turkish Republic
1923 – present
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed the Republic of Turkey in 1923, replacing Ottoman imperial structures with a secular, nationalist state modeled on Western Europe. Sweeping Kemalist reforms abolished the caliphate, introduced the Latin alphabet, and modernized law, education, and governance. Turkey joined NATO in 1952 and navigated Cold War tensions, military coups, the Cyprus intervention of 1974, the PKK insurgency beginning in 1984, and ongoing negotiations for European Union membership into the twenty-first century.

Overview

TURKEY IS A NEW COUNTRY in an old land. The modern Turkish state--beginning with the creation of the Republic of Turkey in the years immediately after World War I--drew on a national consciousness that had developed only in the late nineteenth century. But the history of nomadic Turkish tribes can be traced with certainty to the sixth century A.D., when they wandered the steppes of central Asia. Asia Minor, which the Turks invaded in the eleventh century, has a recorded history that dates back to the Hittites, who flourished there in the second millennium B.C. Archaeological evidence of far older cultures has been found in the region, however. The term Turkey , although sometimes used to signify the Ottoman Empire, was not assigned to a specific political entity or geographic area until the republic was founded in 1923. The conquering Turks called Asia Minor, the large peninsular territory they had wrested from the Byzantine Empire, by its Greek name, Anatolé (sunrise; figuratively, the East), or Anatolia. The term Anatolia is also used when events described affected both that region and Turkish Thrace ("Turkey-in-Europe") because of the two areas’ closely linked political, social, and cultural development. Anatolia is a bridge connecting the Middle East and Europe, and it shares in the history of both those parts of the world. Despite the diversity of its peoples and their cultures, and the constantly shifting borders of its ethnic map, Anatolia has a history characterized by remarkable continuity. Wave after wave of conquerors and settlers have imposed their language and other unique features of their culture on it, but they also have invariably assimilated the customs of the peoples who preceded them. The history of Turkey encompasses, first, the history of Anatolia before the coming of the Turks and of the civilizations--Hittite, Thracian, Hellenistic, and Byzantine--of which the Turkish nation is the heir by assimilation or example. Second, it includes the history of the Turkish peoples, including the Seljuks, who brought Islam and the Turkish language to Anatolia. Third, it is the history of the Ottoman Empire, a vast, cosmopolitan, pan-Islamic state that developed from a small Turkish amirate in Anatolia and that for centuries was a world power. Finally, Turkey’s history is that of the republic established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal (1881-1938), called Atatürk--the "Father Turk." The creation of the new republic in the heartland of the old Islamic empire was achieved in the face of internal traditionalist opposition and foreign intervention. Atatürk’s goal was to build on the ruins of Ottoman Turkey a new country and society patterned directly on Western Europe. He equated Westernization with the introduction of technology, the modernization of administration, and the evolution of democratic institutions. The Turkish horsemen who stormed into Anatolia in the eleventh century were called gazis (warriors of the faith), but they followed their tribal leaders to win booty and to take land as well as to spread Islam. The Ottoman Empire, built on the conquests of the gazis , was Islamic but not specifically Turkish. Engendered in reaction to this Ottoman universalism, early Turkish nationalism was often pan-Turanian, envisioning a common destiny for all Turkic-speaking peoples. By contrast, Atatürk narrowed the focus of his nationalism to the Turks of Turkey. Under his influence, twentieth-century Turkish historiography bypassed the Islamic Ottoman period to link the Turkish nation with ancient Anatolia in such a way that the Hittites, for instance, were recognized as proto-Turks from whom modern Turks can trace descent. Although contemporary Turkey is relatively homogeneous linguistically, it is estimated that perhaps 75 percent of the country’s genetic pool is non-Turkish in origin. Atatürk’s ideological legacy--known as Kemalism--consists of the "Six Arrows": republicanism, nationalism, populism, reformism, etatism (see Glossary), and secularism. These principles have been embodied in successive constitutions, and appeals for both reforms and retrenchment have been made in their name. In the late 1940s, Atatürk’s long-time lieutenant and successor, Ismet Inönü (earlier known as Ismet Pasha), introduced democratic elections and opened the political system to multiparty activity. In 1950 the Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi--CHP)--Atatürk’s party--was badly defeated at the polls by the new Democrat Party, headed by Adnan Menderes. The Menderes government attempted to redirect the economy, allowing for greater private initiative, and was more tolerant of traditional religious and social attitudes in the countryside. In their role as guardians of Kemalism, military leaders

Timeline of Key Events

7500 BCE
Earliest known human inhabitants of Turkey
The earliest known human inhabitants of Turkey are believed to belong to the Neolithic period and the remains of their settlements still exist in a place called Catal Hoyuk which is near the modern day Turkish city of Konya. Archaeological artifacts from these people include statues, pottery and wall paintings.
1900 BCE – 1300 BCE
Hittite Empire
The Hittite Empire flourishes, battles Egypt. Patriarch Abraham, who has been dwelling in Harran, near Sanliurfa, leaves for Canaan (Israel).
563 BCE
The Buddha born in Lumbini, in Tarai Region of Nepal
The Buddha born in Lumbini, in Tarai Region of Nepal.
547 BCE
Cyrus of Persia invades and conquers most of Anatolia
Cyrus of Persia invades and conquers most of Anatolia.
334 BCE
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great of Macedon marches through Anatolia on his way to India.
47
St. Paul travels to the Christian and Jewish communities in Anatolia.
St. Paul travels to the Christian and Jewish communities in Anatolia.
330
Dedication of Constantinople as the New Rome
Emperor Constantine the Great dedicates Constantinople as the “New Rome,” which becomes the empire’s center of government.

View full timeline (32 events)

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Interesting Facts

When a child loses a tooth, if their parents want to them to grow up to graduate from school, they might bury my tooth in the garden of the university. If the parents hope they will become a doctor, they bury it in the garden of a hospital, or they could bury it in a soccer field so the child will be a good soccer player.
There is a first tooth ceremony. Whoever finds the first tooth becomes one's Godmother. After finding the tooth she buys the child a new outfit to celebrate.
There is a tradition that when babies start to have first teeth a kind of pilaf consisting of wheat is prepared and delivered to neighborhoods.
Istanbul is the only city in the world that lies across two continents. The larger part of Istanbul lies in Europe, while Istanbul's suburbs are in Asia, across the Bosphorus Straits.
Among the reforms carried out by Mustafa Kemal was a law in 1935 that required all Turks to register an official surname. Before that time, most Turks were known by their given name and their father's name (for example, Mehmet, son of Ahmed). Mustafa Kemal himself chose the surname Atatürk, which means “Father of the Turks.”
In some rural areas, it is possible to identify the region that a woman is from by her clothes. The traditional form of dress for women is baggy trousers (called salvar) or skirts, and a long blouse. Turkish village women wear head-scarves (called basortusu) to cover their heads.

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Geography and Environment

Aside from Russia, Turkey is the largest country in Europe. Its 296,185 square miles lie between the Aegean, Black, and Mediterranean Seas. It stretches about 950 miles from west to east and 400 miles from north to south. Thrace, the European portion of Turkey, ends at the Bosphorus Strait where Anatolia and Asia begin. Anatolia is a high plateau bounded by the Pontic Mountains on the north, the Taurus Mountains on the south, and stretches to the peak of Mount Ararat (nearly 17,000 feet high) among the Caucasus Mountains in the east. Mountain ranges give way to narrow coastal plains on the northeast and south, and to treeless valleys between rolling hills and low mountains in the center.

Terrain: high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges
Climate: The climate varies a great deal across Turkey. Precipitation is highest on the Black Sea, where, in Rize, an average of 98 inches of rain falls each year. Ankara averages only 14 inches (chiefly accumulating from November to May), and Antalya on the south coast gets about 28 inches. Istanbul has an average of 25 inches of annual precipitation. The plateau region has hot with very dry summers and temperatures in July that range from the mid-70s to the low 90s. The skies are almost always clear and cloudless during the day and nights are cool. Winters in this region are generally windy and cold (the mean temperature for January is 30°F). Around the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul, the average temperature is 83°F in July and 35°F in January. The south coast has long summers that are often hot and humid both night and day in the midsummer months (the average temperature in mid-August is 94°F), but it is very pleasant in spring and autumn. Winters in the south are usually fairly mild. The north coast Black Sea region tends to have cooler summers and warmer winters than the other coastal areas.
Natural Hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
Current Environmental Issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek

Turkish
Kurdish
Arabic
Armenian
Greek

Population

Population: 77,804,122
Population: Male/Female: 84,119,531
Population Distribution: the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast
Urban Population: urban population: 77.5% of total population rate of urbanization: 1.11% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas: 15.848 million Istanbul, 5.397 million ANKARA (capital), 3.088 million Izmir, 2.086 million Bursa, 1.836 million Adana, 1.805 million Gaziantep
Nationality Noun: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish
Ethnic Groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 6-11%
Language Note: Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Education

Literacy Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth: total population: 76.7 years male: 74.4 years female: 79.2 years
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 1.18 liters of pure alcohol beer: 0.67 liters of pure alcohol wine: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 0.35 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol
Tobacco Use: total: 30.7% male: 42.1% female: 19.2%
Child Marriage: women married by age 15: 2% women married by age 18: 14.7%
Infant Mortality Rate: total: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth: total population: 76.7 years male: 74.4 years female: 79.2 years
Median Age: total: 34 years male: 33.4 years female: 34.6 years
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 9,358,711/female 8,933,673) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 29,219,389/female 28,494,315) 65 years and over: 9.6% (male 3,669,330/female 4,444,113)
Infant Mortality Rate: total: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.7 deaths/1,000 live births

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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name: Turkey
Full Country Name: Republic of Turkey
Local - Long: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
Local - Short: Turkiye

Government Structure

Government Type: republican parliamentary democracy
Legal System: derived from various European continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 28 August 2014; re-elected 28 May 2023) head of government: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 9 July 2018, when the office of prime minister was abolished and executive powers were consolidated under the presidency following the constitutional reforms approved by referendum in April 2017) cabinet: Cabinet (formerly Council of Ministers) appointed by the president elections: President directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 May 2023, with a runoff on 28 May 2023; under the presidential system adopted in 2018, the office of prime minister was eliminated election results: Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN re-elected president in the second round; percent of vote in runoff - Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 52.2%, Kemal KILICDAROGLU (CHP) 47.8% note: Turkey transitioned from a parliamentary to a presidential system of government on 9 July 2018, following constitutional amendments approved in a national referendum on 16 April 2017; under the new system, the president serves as both head of state and head of government, with significantly expanded executive authority
Legislative Branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 November 2002 (next to be held in 2007); note - a special rerun of the General Election in the province of Siirt on 9 March 2003 resulted in the election of Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN to a seat in parliament, a prerequisite for becoming prime minister, on 14 March 2003 election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 34.3%, CHP 19.4%, DYP 9.6%, MHP 8.3%, Anavatan 5.1%, DSP 1.1%, and other; seats by party - AKP 363, CHP 178, independents 9; note - parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats; seats by party as of 1 December 2005 - AKP 357, CHP 154, ANAVATAN 22, DYP 4, SHP 4, HYP 1, independents 4, vacant 4
Judicial Branch: Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Constitution: 7-Nov-82
Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 29 October (1923)

Capital City

Capital Name: Ankara
Capital - geographic coordinate: 39 56 N, 32 52 E
Capital Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Ankara has been linked with a second millennium B.C. Hittite cult center of Ankuwash, although this connection is uncertain; in classical and medieval times, the city was known as Ankyra (meaning "anchor" in Greek and reflecting the city's position as a junction for multiple trade and military routes); by about the 13th century the city began to be referred to as Angora; following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the city's name became Ankara

Military

Branches: Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy in Ankara

110 Atatürk Boulevard, 06100, Kavaklidere

Telephone: (90) (312) 455-5555

Emergency after-hours telephone: (90) (312) 455-5555

Facsimile: (90) (312) 468-6131

Visa Information: (90) 850-252-6355 or Visa Information

U.S. Based Callers please use: (703) 439-2348

Skype ID: usvisaturkey

American Citizens Services Questions

U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul

Uçsehitler Sokagi No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer

Telephone: (90) (212) 335-9000

Emergency after-hours telephone: (90) (212) 335–9000 (ask for American Citizen Services)

Facsimile: (90) (212) 335–9102

Visa Information: (90) 850-252-6355 or Visa Information

U.S. Based Callers please use: (703) 439-2348

Skype ID: usvisaturkey

acs_istanbul@state.gov

U.S. Consulate in Adana

Girne Bulvari No. 212, Güzelevler Mahallesi, Yüregir

Telephone: (90) (322) 346-6262

Facsimile: (90) (322) 346-7916

CA-adana@state.gov

U.S. Consular Agent in Izmir

Telephone: (90) (232) 464-8755

Izmir@state.gov

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Economy

Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and services alongside a traditional agriculture sector that still accounts for roughly 15% of employment. It has a robust private sector, though the state continues to play a meaningful role in banking, transport, communications, and heavy industry. Services now generate the largest share of GDP, while manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the export base. Key export industries include automotive, machinery, electronics, steel, and textiles and apparel, with Turkey ranking among the world's leading producers in several of these sectors.

In recent years, the Turkish economy has been marked by volatile growth, persistent currency depreciation, and severe inflationary pressures. Real GDP growth has often been strong, exceeding 5% in several recent years, but expansion has been repeatedly disrupted by financial turbulence, including a sharp lira crisis. Inflation surged dramatically following unorthodox monetary policy decisions, peaking above 75% in 2024 before easing as the central bank reversed course and raised interest rates sharply. The current account deficit and reliance on external financing remain ongoing vulnerabilities.

Foreign direct investment has grown substantially compared to earlier decades, typically ranging between $10 billion and $14 billion annually, though inflows have fluctuated with global conditions and domestic policy uncertainty. Turkey's strategic location, customs union with the European Union, young workforce, and large domestic market continue to support its long-term economic potential, even as structural reforms and macroeconomic stabilization remain central challenges.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code: Yenmi Turk Lira (TRY)
GDP — official exchange rate: $332,500,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate: 5.6%
Gini Index: 42

Banknotes

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year: calendar year
Annual Budget: $115,300,000,000 (USD)
Public Debt (% of GDP): 67.5%
External Debt: $161,800,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP): 19.3%
Economic Aid: $300,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance: -$22,000,000,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange: $2,147,483,647 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation: agriculture 39.7%; services 37.9%; industry 22.4%
Household Income — highest 10%: 30.7%
Industries: textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Agriculture Products: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock
Export Commodities: apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment
Export Partners: Germany 16.6%, US 9.2%, UK 8.5%, Italy 6.4%, France 6%
Import Commodities: machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment
Import Partners: Germany 13.7%, Italy 8%, Russia 7.5%, US 6%, France 6%, UK 4.7%, Switzerland 4.2%

Energy

Oil Production: 50,000 bbl/day
Oil Consumption: 715,100 bbl/day
Oil Reserves: 288,400,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production: 560,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption: 22,600,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports: 15,750,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Exports: 0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves: 8,495,000,000 cu m

Communications

Telephone System: general assessment: comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially in mobile-cellular services domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems
Internet Country Code: .tr

News & Weather

Current Weather

Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

The climate varies a great deal across Turkey. Precipitation is highest on the Black Sea, where, in Rize, an average of 98 inches of rain falls each year. Ankara averages only 14 inches (chiefly accumulating from November to May), and Antalya on the south coast gets about 28 inches. Istanbul has an average of 25 inches of annual precipitation. The plateau region has hot with very dry summers and temperatures in July that range from the mid-70s to the low 90s. The skies are almost always clear and cloudless during the day and nights are cool. Winters in this region are generally windy and cold (the mean temperature for January is 30°F). Around the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul, the average temperature is 83°F in July and 35°F in January. The south coast has long summers that are often hot and humid both night and day in the midsummer months (the average temperature in mid-August is 94°F), but it is very pleasant in spring and autumn. Winters in the south are usually fairly mild. The north coast Black Sea region tends to have cooler summers and warmer winters than the other coastal areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Turkey?

The population of Turkey is approximately 77.8M.

How do people greet each other in Turkey?

Greetings depend on the setting rather than age; "Merhaba" works with acquaintances, friends, and strangers respectfully, while formal situations call for handshakes and professional titles. Do: Use "Merhaba" as a versatile, respectful greeting Shake hands and use professional titles with formal contacts Greet elders by kissing their hand and touching it to your forehead Say "Pardon" or "affedersiniz" to get someone's attention Don't: Don't use "iyi günler" with close friends "Selamünaleyküm" is a religiously connoted greeting common in men's coffee shops (kahves) and rural areas Friends and close family hug and kiss on both cheeks

What are dining customs like in Turkey?

Meals, especially dinner, are a family affair, often served on a large tray on a low table or floor with the family seated on cushions; many foods are eaten with the fingers. Do: Keep your hands clean and above the table Follow the continental style when utensils are used Try dishes like sis kebab, doner kebab, fish and rice pilaf, and Turkish Delight (lokum) Expect Turkish coffee (kahve) served with nearly every meal Don't: Don't rest your hands on the table Don't expect meals during daytime in Ramadan, when food is served only in the evening and late at night Formal meals often begin with appetizers called meze Popular drinks include tea, ayran (water, yogurt, and salt), and boza It is believed healthier to eat while sitting on the floor; everyone usually has their own place at the table

What should I know about hospitality and social etiquette in Turkey?

Turks are highly hospitable, rarely turning away visitors and doing everything they can to welcome them, with socializing often centered on sharing food. Do: Bring a small gift like candy, fruit, or flowers as a first-time home visitor Respect personal space, which varies by setting Sharing food signals trust: "I share my food with you, I trust you" When guests leave, each is hugged and watched as they depart Personal space is smaller in rural areas and larger in towns; acquaintances value eye contact over personal space

How should I dress in Turkey?

Western-style clothing is the most common, and European fashions are popular among youth; many women cover their heads in either modern or traditional ways. Clothing worn in metropolitan areas like Ankara and Istanbul differs from seaside holiday spots like Antalya in summer Traditional clothes are rarely worn today, except items like a new bride's red cloth with golden designs before the wedding

What gestures should I be aware of in Turkey?

Turks use their hands a great deal in conversation and value eye contact and attentive listening. Don't: Don't put your feet on a desk or table Don't point the sole of your foot toward another person Don't show public displays of affection Don't put your hands in your pockets in informal conversation Formally, people stand close with eye contact; informally, about half an arm's distance

What is family life like in Turkey?

Individuals are loyal to and dependent on their family, and households often include extended family, sometimes with married sons living with their parents until independent. In larger cities, women frequently work outside the home Education for children is highly valued Dating like in Western countries is uncommon; young people tend to socialize in groups

What do people do for recreation in Turkey?

Sports are hugely popular, with many children starting as young as four and playing in groups and at school. Most games involve balls, and many boys start playing football early Schools offer football, volleyball, basketball and other sports, though few continue professionally

What is the capital of Turkey?

Ankara is the capital of Turkey, situated in the country's central Anatolian plateau. Though less internationally renowned than Istanbul, Ankara became the political heart of the modern republic when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established it as capital in 1923 following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The city is home to the Grand National Assembly and the major government ministries, and its central location was deliberately chosen to symbolize a break from the Ottoman imperial past centered on Istanbul.

Where is Turkey located?

Turkey occupies a uniquely transcontinental position, straddling southeastern Europe and western Asia — a region historically known as Anatolia. The narrow straits of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, which bisect the country, have made Turkey a critical crossroads between the two continents for millennia. The country is bordered by the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, giving it significant strategic and commercial importance.

What countries border Turkey?

Turkey shares land borders with eight countries: Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan (the Nakhchivan exclave) to the northeast; and Iran, Iraq, and Syria to the east and southeast. This position at the junction of Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East has shaped Turkey's complex diplomatic history, including its long-standing tensions with Greece over Cyprus and its involvement in regional conflicts along its southeastern frontiers.

What is the predominant religion in Turkey?

Islam is practiced by approximately 99.8% of Turkey's population, making it overwhelmingly the dominant faith. The remaining 0.2% comprises small communities of Christians and Jews, many concentrated in Istanbul. Despite this religious makeup, Turkey was constitutionally established as a secular state in 1923 under Atatürk, who replaced religious law with civil codes modeled on European systems. The balance between secularism and Islamic identity has remained a defining tension in Turkish political and social life.

What is the currency of Turkey?

The official currency of Turkey is the Türk Lirası, commonly known as the Turkish lira, with the ISO code TRY. The currency has undergone significant reform over the decades; a major redenomination in 2005 replaced the old Turkish lira, dropping six zeros to stabilize the economy. In recent years the lira has experienced notable volatility against major global currencies, making exchange rates an important consideration for travelers and investors operating in Turkey.

What language is spoken in Turkey?

Turkish is the sole official language of Turkey and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. It belongs to the Turkic language family and has been written in a Latin-based alphabet since Atatürk's sweeping script reform of 1928. Minority languages including Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, and Greek are spoken by smaller communities, particularly in southeastern and eastern regions. Kurdish, spoken by a significant minority, has been a politically sensitive issue tied to the decades-long conflict with the PKK separatist movement.

What is Turkey known for?

Turkey is known for its extraordinary layering of civilizations, most visibly in landmarks such as Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the ancient rock formations of Cappadocia. Its cuisine — including kebabs, baklava, mezes, and Turkish tea culture — is one of the most influential in the world. Turkey is also a major producer and exporter of hazelnuts, textiles, and ceramics. Culturally, the country is distinguished by traditions that blend European and Asian influences, including elaborate tooth-ceremony customs, a deep valuation of education, and a national pride in both Ottoman heritage and the achievements of the modern republic.

Last reviewed 2026

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About the People

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Dates of Interest

How do people greet each other in Turkey?

What are dining customs like in Turkey?

What should I know about hospitality and social etiquette in Turkey?

How should I dress in Turkey?

What gestures should I be aware of in Turkey?

What is family life like in Turkey?

What do people do for recreation in Turkey?

Photos of Turkey

Travel and Tourism

Recipes

Turkish Coffee

Adana Kebabi

Urfa Kebabi

Bugler Pilavi

Hunkar Begendi (Grilled Eggplant With Cheese)

Manti (Pastry with Ground Meat and Yogurt)

(Couscous with Meat)

(Chickpeas with Meat)

(Cauliflower Mousakka)

(Kebab with Yogurt)

History

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Earliest known human inhabitants of Turkey

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The Buddha born in Lumbini, in Tarai Region of Nepal

Cyrus of Persia invades and conquers most of Anatolia

Alexander the Great

St. Paul travels to the Christian and Jewish communities in Anatolia.

Dedication of Constantinople as the New Rome

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