Turkey straddles Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus, ruling once-imperial Istanbul, the Cappadocian fairy chimneys and a Mediterranean Riviera, with a population approaching 85 million.
Geography & landscape
Turkey sits in Western Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 783,562 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Ankara, lies near coordinates 39°, 35°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Turkey.
People & society
The population of Turkey is around 85M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Turkish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Turkey is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Ankara, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Ankara and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Turkey shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Turkey through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Ankara, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +90, and clocks are set to the TRT (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Turkey as TR (alpha-2) and TUR (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇷, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Ankara | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Western Asia | — |
| Population | 85M | people |
| Area | 783,562 | km² |
| Currency | Turkish Lira (TRY) | — |
| Calling code | +90 | international dialling |
| Time zone | TRT (UTC+3) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TR | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TUR | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 39 | degrees |
| Longitude | 35 | degrees |
Did you know?
Istanbul is the only major city in the world that sits on two continents — Europe and Asia — separated by the Bosphorus strait.
