Official name

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (Republic of Turkey)

Political system

Republic, last constitution of 1982.

Right to vote at 18 years. Parliament with 550 seats, election every 5 years. The head of state is elected every 7 years by the parliament. A re-election is not possible.

Flag

Red, original color of the calif, became the color of the empire under Osman. For the origin of moonsickel and star, there are different explanations. These symbols should have been adopted after the conquest of Konstantinopel (today Istanbul).

Official language

Turkish

Currency

1 Lira = 100 kurush

Position

In the extreme Southeast of Europe and in Asia

Time zone

MEZ + 1 hour

Area

774.815 qkm, with 26% forest, 35% farmland, 11% meadows and pastures; about 3 % in Europe

Size

W-E 1570 km, N-S 660 km

Coast

7.200 km

Population

66 millions (78 % Turkish, 20 % Kurds, 1,5 % Arabs)

National religion

no (Islamics: 98 %, Christians: 0,2 %)

Capital

Ankara

Big cities

Istanbul 7,8 Mio. inhabitants

Ankara 2,8 Mio. inhabitants

Izmir 2,0 Mio. inhabitants

Adana 1,1 Mio. inhabitants

Bursa 1,0 Mio. inhabitants

Geography

Highest mountain: Ararat 5165 m

Longest river: Kizirmak 1150 km

Biggest lake: Vansee 3675 qkm

Frequent earthquakes, geysers and other volcanic appearances prove that Turkey is a country with tetonic action. The European part is characterized by fruitful plains which are surrounded by low mountains. Western Anatolia, on the Asiatic side, is covered with long ridges which are separated by deep valleys. The 3 main mountain ranges of the Taurus spread in the South of the Central Anatolian highland, in the Mediterranean Sea. Further in the East, the land is rising to the Arat – Highland. The lake Vansee is located in the Southwest.

Flora / Fauna

Dense bushes cover the South at the Mediterranean coast and the West of the country. On the coast of the Black Ocean there are dense forests, while the dry inland is covered by a grassy steppe. In the forests you can still find bears and stags and colorful flights of flamingos which live on many lakes.

Economy

A dynamic economical life determines the high developed conurbations. In the rural regions – above all in the Middle and in the East – there are small enterprises working traditionally and rustic. Apart from development programs for the rural regions and the rehabilitation of the public finances, the diminution of the public participation in the economy even with regard to the desired membership in the European Community is one of the most important duties.