Last Updated on 9 April 2026 by Johan

Turkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. Turkey occupied the northern portion of Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island; relations between the two countries remain strained. Periodic military offensives against Kurdish separatists have dislocated part of the population in southeast Turkey and have drawn international condemnation.

Turkey is situated in south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria. Turkey has mostly mountains, a narrow coastal plain and a high central plateau (Anatolia). The highest point of Turkey is Mount Ararat on 5,166 m.

Istanbul is the only major city to span two continents and a fascinating melting pot of East and West. Istanbul is in the top ten of almost all travellers.

The climate in Turkey is hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters.

More information:

More infomration on other websites:

• Anatolia.com - Information on Turkey with travel, news, art, weather, and history information. On top of the page you will see the local times of main world cities so you can set up you time to the Turkish one.
• BBC News - Country Profile: Turkey - Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news.
• BigLoveTurkey - Turkey tourist information site with videos and pictures.
• CDC - Travelers' Health: Turkey - Health information for travel to the country from the U.S. Government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Cultural Interactions - Guide to Turkey by Turkish travel specialist, travel writer, tourist guide and travel film-maker, Serif Yenin.
• Go to Turkey - Turkish Culture and Tourism Offices' Website. Information about the culture and history of Turkey. Also information on tours, activities, property ownership, evisas, and photos from Turkey.
• iExplore - Turkey - Adventure and experiential travel group provides a guide on the country and its history, events, places to go and activities with tours, photos and other tourist information.
• Lonely Planet - Turkey - Comprehensive facts and advice for traveling along with background material on the culture and history of the country.
• Sansal, Burak - Information on the country prepared by an official tour guide organizing private and small group tours. Includes a CV, details about events, regions and historical sites.
• Top Ten Turkey - Includes sections about tourist attractions, tips for travelers, and a list of museums.
• Turkey Holiday Information - Reference guide to all areas of Turkey, with photos and videos.
• Turkey Tourism - Turkey Tourism and travel guide. Information about history, places of attraction, and things to do. Has contact details for tourist information offices in all the main towns.
• Turkey Travel Planner - Offering travel planning guidance by Tom Brosnahan with information, tips and photos .
• Turkey with information about the country, the history, the life and the industry. - Information about the country, history, life, and industry. Contains useful contact details.
• Turkish Ministry of Tourism - Offers hotel directories, historical information, regional attractions, photographs and maps of the country.
• Turkish Odyssey - Offers tips regarding daily life, accommodation and travel services, as well as a photograph gallery with images of the country.
• Turkish Travel Blog - A blog about Turkish Travel experiences. Information published is intended to be a guide on destinations, people, culture and traditions in Turkey.
• US Library of Congress - Country Study: Turkey - June 1995 country profile provides information about its historical setting, society and environment, economy, government and politics, and national security.
• Wink at Turkey - Our experience in Turkey after four years living there. Tourism, photo gallery, culture, and cooking.