My Country: TURKEY Founder: Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK Capital City: Ankara Population: 73,722,988

My Country: TURKEY Turkey is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia (mostly in the Anatolian peninsula) and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe.

My Country: TURKEY Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic with an ancient cultural heritage. The vast majority of the population are Muslims. Turkey has become increasingly integrated with the West through membership in organizations such as the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE and the G-20 major economies. Turkey began full membership negotiations with the European Union in 2005

My Country: TURKEY Turkey's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes it a country of significant geostrategic importance. Given its strategic location, large economy and military strength, Turkey is a major regional power.

My Country: TURKEY Turkey began full membership negotiations with the European Union in 2005

My Country: TURKEY Largest Cities of Turkey İstanbul: 13,120,596 Ankara: 4,431,719 İzmir: 3,950,000 Bursa: 2,605,495 Adana: 1,584,053

My Country: TURKEY Religions in Turkey 1. Muslims: 98% of the population 2. Christians - Orthodox: 85,000 - Catholic: 35,000 - Protestants: smaller number 3. Jewish: 26,000 4. Others

Ethnic groups in Turkey Turks: 76% Kurds: 15.7% Others: 8.3% (Armenians, Greeks and Jews, Abkhazians, Albanians, Arabs, Assyrians, Bosniaks, Circassians, Georgians, Hamshenis, Laz, Pomaks, Roma. )

Some Photos from Turkey Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, connecting Europe (left) and Asia (right.)

Atatürk’s Massoleum, Anıtkabir, Ankara

Portion of the legendary walls of Troy (VII), identified as the site of the Trojan War, Çanakkale (ca. 1200 BCE.)

The Celsus Library in Ephesus in İzmir, dating from 135 AD.

Ölüdeniz Beach near Fethiye on the Turkish Riviera.

The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is one of the most famous architectural legacies of the Ottoman Empire.

Maslak financial district in Istanbul.

A hanging limestone wall at Pamukkale, Denizli (Unesco World Heritage Site)

Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Denizli

Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi’s Tomb and Museum, Konya 2007 was declared “the International Rumi Year” by UNESCO

Come, come, whoever you are, Wanderer, idolater, worshiper of fire, Come even though you have broken your vows a thousand times, Come, and come yet again. Ours is not a caravan of despair. - Mewlana Jalaladdin Rumi -

Fairy chimneys in Ürgüp, Nevşehir A historical church in Derinkuyu, Nevşehir

One of the fastest growing airline companies in the world, Turkish Airlines was chosen as the official carrier by Europe's leading football clubs like FC Barcelona and Manchester United. The company is also the primary sponsor of Euroleague Basketball.

Esenboğa International Airport in Ankara.

The historic İstiklal Avenue in Istanbul's cosmopolitan Beyoğlu district.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.

One of the main entrance gates of the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.

Istanbul Park racing circuit a few hours before the F1 Turkish Grand Prix.

Church of Saint Peter, Hatay

Sümela Monastery, Trabzon

City of Safranbolu (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Monastery of Deyrul Zafran, Mardin

Akdamar Cathedral, Van

sunset in Antalya

Konyaaltı Beach, Antalya Düden Waterfall, Antalya