TURKEY A bridge between Europe and Asia

Turkey is a country of utmost strategic importance in the world due to its geopolitical location. Turkey is a country of utmost strategic importance in the world due to its geopolitical location. It is on the crossroads between the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.

Turkey is linked to the oceans through the Black Sea, Marmara and Mediterranean Seas, which encircle it on three sides. Turkey is linked to the oceans through the Black Sea, Marmara and Mediterranean Seas, which encircle it on three sides.

The country borders Georgia, Armenia, Nakhichevan and Iran to the east, Bulgaria and Greece to the west, and Iraq and Syria to the south. The country borders Georgia, Armenia, Nakhichevan and Iran to the east, Bulgaria and Greece to the west, and Iraq and Syria to the south.

The Black Sea is linked to the world via the Straits and momentous shipping routes pass through the Marmara, an interior sea. The Black Sea is linked to the world via the Straits and momentous shipping routes pass through the Marmara, an interior sea. It has been the epicenter of major trade and migration routes throughout history. It has been the epicenter of major trade and migration routes throughout history.

Turkey has a surface area of 814,578 square kilometers. In this respect, it is greater than all of its neighbors except Iran, and all European countries except the Russian Federation. Turkey has a surface area of 814,578 square kilometers. In this respect, it is greater than all of its neighbors except Iran, and all European countries except the Russian Federation. There is a time difference of 76 minutes between its easternmost and westernmost tips. There is a time difference of 76 minutes between its easternmost and westernmost tips.

Turkey is an elevated and mountainous country with all types and ages of geological formations. Turkey is an elevated and mountainous country with all types and ages of geological formations. It is even higher than the highest continent Asia with an average altitude of 1,132 meters. It is even higher than the highest continent Asia with an average altitude of 1,132 meters. Erciyes Mountain - KAYSERİ

Turkey’s forests cover an area of 20,703,122 hectares and over half of this area is classified as productive forests. Turkey’s forests cover an area of 20,703,122 hectares and over half of this area is classified as productive forests. Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park - BOLU

Turkey is replete with seas, rivers and plains as well as lands fit for agriculture and raising livestock. Turkey is replete with seas, rivers and plains as well as lands fit for agriculture and raising livestock.

Turkey is one of the few self- sufficient countries in the world in terms of agricultural production, particularly the production of foodstuffs. Turkey is one of the few self- sufficient countries in the world in terms of agricultural production, particularly the production of foodstuffs. Turkey is the world’s biggest apricot producer

Turkey is among the richest countries in terms of streams and lakes as well. Turkey is among the richest countries in terms of streams and lakes as well. Cilo Sat Mountains - HAKKARİUzungöl - TRABZON

The Black Sea is the largest river basin towards which the rivers with highest energy production capabilities are headed. The Black Sea is the largest river basin towards which the rivers with highest energy production capabilities are headed. Çoruh

In Turkey, located in the temperate climatic zone, it is possible to enjoy the four seasons and different climates simultaneously. People can both swim in the sea and see the snowy mountains at the same time. In Turkey, located in the temperate climatic zone, it is possible to enjoy the four seasons and different climates simultaneously. People can both swim in the sea and see the snowy mountains at the same time.

Turkish History According to Chinese records, the political existence of the Turks in Asia commenced with the Huns (Xiongnu) in the 3rd century B.C. According to Chinese records, the political existence of the Turks in Asia commenced with the Huns (Xiongnu) in the 3rd century B.C. Orkhun Inscriptions

The Ottoman Empire ( ) The Ottoman State was founded by Osman Bey. The Ottoman State was founded by Osman Bey. Ottoman Sultans

The Ottoman Empire left behind a splendid cultural heritage. The Ottoman Empire left behind a splendid cultural heritage. Süleymaniye Mosque - İSTANBUL

The Empire allowed the nations within its borders to preserve their languages and cultures by ensuring freedom of faith and conscience. The Empire allowed the nations within its borders to preserve their languages and cultures by ensuring freedom of faith and conscience. Aya Triada Greek Orthodox Church Surp Yerrortutyun Church Saint Antoine Catholic Church

The Turkish Republic (29th October 1923) After the collapse of Ottoman Empire, The Republic was proclaimed on October 29, The leader of the national struggle, Mustafa Kemal, was unanimously elected the first president of Turkey. After the collapse of Ottoman Empire, The Republic was proclaimed on October 29, The leader of the national struggle, Mustafa Kemal, was unanimously elected the first president of Turkey.

Turkey and the World The fundamental tenet and basis of Turkey’s foreign policy is the dictum, “Peace at home, peace abroad,” an objective expressed by Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic. The fundamental tenet and basis of Turkey’s foreign policy is the dictum, “Peace at home, peace abroad,” an objective expressed by Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic. Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK

Turkey is a member of  the United Nations  the Council of Europe  the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)  Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)  Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe  World Trade Organization (WTO), Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC),  the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization  and the Economic Cooperation Organization  and it is also a candidate for full EU membership.

According to the 2000 census, 67,844,000 people were living in Turkey. It is estimated that this figure surpassed the 72 million mark by the end of According to the 2000 census, 67,844,000 people were living in Turkey. It is estimated that this figure surpassed the 72 million mark by the end of 2005.

Celebrations on May 19, Atatürk Commemoration and Youth and Sports Day Nearly 30% of Turkey’s population consists of youngsters. Nearly 30% of Turkey’s population consists of youngsters. The Youth

“Children’s Day” Turkey is the only country celebrating a “Children’s Day”. The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation ‘ TRT’ sponsors an international gathering of children every year to celebrate "April 23, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day". Turkey is the only country celebrating a “Children’s Day”. The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation ‘ TRT’ sponsors an international gathering of children every year to celebrate "April 23, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day".

The official language in Turkey is Turkish, and 90% of the population speaks Turkish. The official language in Turkey is Turkish, and 90% of the population speaks Turkish. Turkish, spoken by over 200 million people, is the 7th most prevalently spoken language among almost 4000 languages spoken in the world today. Turkish, spoken by over 200 million people, is the 7th most prevalently spoken language among almost 4000 languages spoken in the world today. Language

Geographical Regions Turkey has been sorted into seven geographical regions in terms of natural, demographic and economic aspects. Turkey has been sorted into seven geographical regions in terms of natural, demographic and economic aspects.

İstanbul İstanbul is the biggest city in Turkey in terms of its population, not to mention the economic life, trade, capital and cultural activities. İstanbul is the biggest city in Turkey in terms of its population, not to mention the economic life, trade, capital and cultural activities. The European and Asian sides of the city are connected by two bridges. The European and Asian sides of the city are connected by two bridges.

Ankara, the Capital Ankara, the heartland of the National War of Independence, is the second largest city in Turkey. Ankara, the heartland of the National War of Independence, is the second largest city in Turkey. Atatürk’s Mausoleum - ANKARA

İzmir, Pearl of the Aegean Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a momentous tourism, arts, culture, trade and industrial center. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a momentous tourism, arts, culture, trade and industrial center. Alaçatı Surfing Center - Izmir

Turkey: A Tourist’s Paradise The demand for Turkish tourism is growing at a faster rate than the demand for world tourism. The demand for Turkish tourism is growing at a faster rate than the demand for world tourism. Hadrian Temple, Efes - İZMİRPamukkale spas - DENİZLİ

Turkish Cuisine Hundreds of different dishes are cooked in various parts of the country and the gastronomic culture and eating habits differ significantly among the geographical regions. Even the cooking techniques differ from city to city. Hundreds of different dishes are cooked in various parts of the country and the gastronomic culture and eating habits differ significantly among the geographical regions. Even the cooking techniques differ from city to city. Each region has pastries, stews and dishes prepared with olive oil, along with the famous kebabs peculiar to that region. Each region has pastries, stews and dishes prepared with olive oil, along with the famous kebabs peculiar to that region.

Religious Life Almost 99% of the population of Turkey is Muslim, while the remainder is composed of the Jewish faith and the Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Assyrian and other communities of Christianity. Almost 99% of the population of Turkey is Muslim, while the remainder is composed of the Jewish faith and the Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Assyrian and other communities of Christianity. Everyone enjoys the freedom of religion and the right to practice his/her faith. Everyone enjoys the freedom of religion and the right to practice his/her faith.

Laicism One of the basic principles of the Turkish Republic is laicism. Turkey is the only Islamic country which has enshrined laicism in its Constitution and put it into practice. One of the basic principles of the Turkish Republic is laicism. Turkey is the only Islamic country which has enshrined laicism in its Constitution and put it into practice.

Presidency of Religious Affairs All services related to the beliefs, worship and ethics of Islam as well as the activities of informing and enlightening the public regarding religious matters in Turkey are conducted by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (PRA), a public institution organized under a central administration. All services related to the beliefs, worship and ethics of Islam as well as the activities of informing and enlightening the public regarding religious matters in Turkey are conducted by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (PRA), a public institution organized under a central administration.

Sports The State is the main proponent concerning the construction of major sports complexes and important investments in sports. The State is the main proponent concerning the construction of major sports complexes and important investments in sports. There has been also a considerable increase in the number of private sports clubs. There has been also a considerable increase in the number of private sports clubs.

Turkish National Volleyball Women’s Team won a gold medal at the 2005 Mediterranean Games European Wrestling Champion Hamza Yerlikaya National Rhythmic Gymnast Şükran Taşyuran World Billiards Champion Semih Saygıner The Turkish Basketball Team, winner of the gold medal at the 23rd Universiade Summer Games

Music The different types of saz (stringed instruments) belonging to the “bağlama” family, shepherd’s pipe, tar, kemençe, çifte, mey, zurna, drum and tulum (bagpipe) are the notable instruments of Turkish folk music. The different types of saz (stringed instruments) belonging to the “bağlama” family, shepherd’s pipe, tar, kemençe, çifte, mey, zurna, drum and tulum (bagpipe) are the notable instruments of Turkish folk music.

İdil Biret (piano), Suna Kan (violin), the Güher and Süher Pekinel sisters (piano), İsmail Aşan (violin), Fazıl Say (piano), Cihat Aşkın (violin), Ayla Erduran (violin) and Gülşen Tatu (flute) are some of the famed Turkish musicians who have won many awards in international contests and recorded a great number of albums. İdil Biret

Famous Singers Famous singer Sertab Erener won the 48th Eurovision Song Contest held in Riga, Latvia on May 24, 2003 with her song “Every Way That I Can”. Famous singer Sertab Erener won the 48th Eurovision Song Contest held in Riga, Latvia on May 24, 2003 with her song “Every Way That I Can”. Sezen Aksu Tarkan

Prepared by Hatice Buket YERELİ Asst. Manager EROL TARAKCIOGLU PRIMARY SCHOOL Menemen-İzmir