Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkans in Southeast Europe. It shares borders with eight countries: Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the south. Turkey is surrounded by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
Covering a total area of 783,356 square kilometres, Turkey has a population of almost 82 million people, the majority of whom are Turkish, although there are also significant minority groups including Kurds.
Ankara is the capital of Turkey, while Istanbul is the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial center. Other major cities include Izmir, Bursa, and Adana.
Turkey has a diverse cultural heritage, with influences from ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations. The country's official language is Turkish and its legal system is based on a secular constitution, although Islam is the dominant religion.
Turkey's economy is classified as an emerging market and it has a developed industrial sector, with automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries being particularly strong. Agriculture also plays a significant role in the country's economy.
Places of interest in Turkey include the ancient city of Troy, Roman ruins in Ephesus, the rock sites of Cappadocia, the stunning beaches of the Turquoise Coast, and the bustling metropolises of Istanbul and Ankara.
