Turkey

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About
Turkey
Turkey straddles both Asia and Europe, and is commonly referred to as a Eurasian country. It borders four different seas and eight countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Coupled with its rich history as the successor state to the powerful Ottoman Empire, Turkey’s culture is a unique tapestry that blends both eastern and western elements. During the modern era, Turkey has integrated itself into the West via organizations like NATO, the Council of Europe, and the G-20; it has been negotiating for full membership into the European Union since 2005. Due to its advanced economy and infrastructure, Turkey is classified as both a developed country (like the U.S. and Western Europe) and a regional power. It is also more secular than other countries in the region; in major cities, it is common to see women wearing abayas (a black over garment worn by some Islamic women) with niqabs (a face veil that covers everything but the eyes) and miniskirts, both of which are considered acceptable attire.

Language
Turkish
Capital
Ankara
Time Zone
GMT +3
Currency
Turkish Lira
Population
83,719,565
The coastal areas of Turkey are subject to mild winters and hot, humid summers, while the inland areas are subject to very cold winters and excessively hot summers. The eastern part of Turkey has more extreme temperatures, which can fall to as low as 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) with snow from December to April, and summer temperatures can reach an unbearable 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). Unlike the eastern region, the coastal region (including Istanbul) is subject to more pleasant temperatures with average high temperatures in the mid 80s Fahrenheit (about 29 degrees Celsius).