Overview of Turkey

Quick Overview

Straddling two continents, Turkey is located in both Europe (Thrace plain) and Asia (Anatolian plateau). The Asian part rises gradually into high plateaus toward the east, reaching 5,166 m at Mount Ararat on the Iranian border. It is intersected by the deep valleys of around fifteen rivers, including the Tigris and Euphrates, and numerous lakes, some of which, like Lake Van in the east, are comparable to inland seas. To the north, fertile coastal plains run parallel to the Black Sea mountain range. Bathed by four seas, Turkey has over 7,000 km of coastline.

Key Facts

• Type of place: country.

• Location: straddling Europe and Asia, between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

• Latitude/longitude: 39°00' N, 35°00' E.

• Local time: Heure : 5464

• Capital: Ankara.

• Nature of the state: parliamentary republic.

• Official language: Turkish.

• Currency: Turkish lira.

• Population: 81,257,239 inhabitants (2018).

• Area: 783,562 km².

• Density: 103 inhabitants/km².

• Highest point: Mount Ararat (5,166 m).

• Lowest point: sea level.

• Coastline: 7,200 km.

• Driving: on the right.

Tourism

A major tourist destination with its ancient ruins, seaside resorts, and unique natural sites like Cappadocia, Turkey has long attracted millions of visitors and continues to do so, even as the country has slipped into a certain authoritarianism—if not outright dictatorship—amid sharp political tensions in recent years.

After a dip in 2016 (25 million entries), Turkey welcomed 39.49 million foreign visitors and 6.62 million Turks living abroad in 2018. Excluding the latter, Russians (nearly 6 million) were the most numerous, followed by Germans (4.5 million), Bulgarians, Georgians, and Britons. As for the French (the 10th most represented nationality), they accounted for roughly half a million.

Travel Essentials

• Destination: for beginner/somewhat experienced travelers.

• By air: France-Istanbul.

• Entry requirements: passport or ID card valid for at least 5 months after the planned entry date.

• Currency to bring: euros.

• Exchange rate:

• Daily "backpacker" budget:

• Best for accommodation:

• Best for getting around:

• Risks: low health risks, and low to fairly high local security risks.

• Best period for climate/crowds/prices:

• Interests (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★/★★★; Adventure ★★; Culture ★★★★; Relaxation-holidays ★★★★

Useful Addresses

Socio-Economic Statistics

• "Quality of life": 64/188 (rank in 2018)

• GDP per capita: $27,000 (2017)

• Average monthly income: ()

• Inflation: +11.1% (2017)

• "Official" unemployment: 10.9% (2017)

• Population below the poverty line: 21.9% (2015)

• Life expectancy: 75.3 years (2018)

• Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -4.5 (2017)

• Population growth: +0.49% (2018)

• Literacy rate: 95.6% (2015)

• Urban population: 75.1% (2018)

• Press freedom: 157/180 (rank in 2018)

• Political regime: hybrid regime (110/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook