Turkey
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Western Asia
- Capital
- Ankara
- Population
- 85.9 million (2025)
- Area
- 783,562 km²
- Languages
- Turkish
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +90
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Turkey is a transcontinental country located on the Anatolian Peninsula of Western Asia and the Balkan Peninsula of Southeastern Europe.
Turkey recorded a population of 82 million in 2019 and covers an area of 783,356 km2.
Its capital city is Ankara and it is home to Anitkabir and Kemal Ataturk.
The largest city is Istanbul which spans across Europe and Asia.
The Castle of St. Peter at Bodrum
History
Turkey expanded to Asia and Africa between the 15th and 16th centuries through the Ottoman rule.
After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War, Turkey got into a war of independence against the foreign settlement and the Sultan rule.
It became a republic in 1923.
It joined NATO in 1952.
Food & culture
Its culture is mainly influenced by that of West Asia, Central Asia and East Europe.
The crops grown in the country include sugar beets, olives, grapes, tomatoes, cereals especially wheat, and apples.
The popular dishes are Iskender kebab, Turkish Ravioli, Mezze, Baklava, Shish Kebab and Karniyarik.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals include wild boars, lynx, water buffaloes, brown bears, deer, chamois, otters, leopards, wolves and mountain goats.
Festivals & events
The major celebrated events include the Republic Day on 29th October, Mesir Paste Festival, Camel Wrestling Festival, Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival, Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival and Ahirkapi Hidirellez Festival.
Things to see
There is the Hagia Sophia Museum, is a former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, which was later used as an Ottoman imperial mosque and is a museum in the present day.
People also visit the Blue Mosque, which is a historical mosque in Istanbul Turkey built between 1609 and 1616.
You could also visit the Pamukkale town, which is known for its thermal waters rich in minerals, which flow down white travertine.
Other must-see sites are Topkapi palace museum, Grand Bazaar, Bosporus and Sumela monastery.
Interesting facts
Santa Claus origin is in Patara Turkey.
The official language is Turkish.
The major religion is Islam.
City guides
Cities & towns I’ve visited
Run a marathon in Turkey
Istanbul Marathon
Istanbul · usually November
The only marathon that runs across two continents, starting in Asia and crossing the Bosphorus into Europe.
Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey
2 of 22 visited. See every site I've been to.
- Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia 1985
- Historic Areas of Istanbul 1985
- Ani 2016
- Aphrodisias 2017
- Arslantepe 2021
- Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire 2014
- City of Safranbolu 1994
- Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital
- Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape 2015
- Ephesus 2015
- Gordion 2023
- Göbekli Tepe 2018
- Hattusha: the Hittite Capital 1986
- Hierapolis-Pamukkale 1988
- Mount Nemrut 1987
- Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape 2014
- Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe 2025
- Selimiye Mosque 2011
- Troy 1998
- Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia 2023
- Xanthos-Letoon 1988
- Çatalhöyük 2012
My photos from Turkey
April 2015 Turkey, Ukraine & Czech
Kapadokya/Goreme, Istanbul
Whole trip gallery
Plan your trip to Turkey
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
