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Hi! I am back.
The more I learn about Turkey, the more interesting the country is. According to everyone who has visited, it is a beautiful, friendly, and clean place to experience. I am starting to look forward to leaving on Thursday, since most of my work is finished and I can relax.
Here is a great link on comprehensive info on Turkey and some selected data from there:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html
Turkey is the link between Europe and Asia and Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents, which I find so exciting!
I am sharing just some information, the web site is a fountain of data and worth exploring. Enjoy!
General information about Turkey
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the Kurdistan People's Congress or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005.
People and society
Nationality:
noun: Turk(s)
adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups:
Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)
Languages:
Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages
Religions:
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
Population:
80,694,485 (July 2013 est.)country com
parison to the world: 17
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.9% (male 10,682,900/female 10,201,965)
15-24 years: 17% (male 6,979,955/female 6,703,689)
25-54 years: 42.7% (male 17,375,544/female 17,097,927)
55-64 years: 7.9% (male 3,189,731/female 3,169,450)
65 years and over: 6.6% (male 2,422,983/female 2,870,341) (2013 est.)
population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 29.2 years
male: 28.8 years
female: 29.6 years (2013 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 70% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities - population:
Istanbul 10.378 million; ANKARA (capital) 3.846 million; Izmir 2.679 million; Bursa 1.559 million; Adana 1.339 million (2009)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.03 yearscountry comparison to the world: 126
male: 71.09 years
female: 75.07 years (2013 est.)
Health expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 93
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 0% of population (2010 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
27.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 36
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2006)country comparison to the world: 145
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.4%
male: 95.3%
female: 79.6% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 18.4%country comparison to the world: 68
male: 17.1%
female: 20.7% (2011)
Government of TURKEY
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Turkey
conventional short form: Turkey
local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Turkiye
Government type:
republican parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Ankara
Budget:
revenues: $179.9 billion
expenditures: $200.4 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
23% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 134
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.6% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 97
Public debt:
40.4% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 90
40% of GDP (2011 est.)
Check out the web site for more detailed info. I hope to keep the blog simple and interesting with references to other sources of information.
The more I learn about Turkey, the more interesting the country is. According to everyone who has visited, it is a beautiful, friendly, and clean place to experience. I am starting to look forward to leaving on Thursday, since most of my work is finished and I can relax.
Here is a great link on comprehensive info on Turkey and some selected data from there:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html
Turkey is the link between Europe and Asia and Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents, which I find so exciting!
I am sharing just some information, the web site is a fountain of data and worth exploring. Enjoy!
General information about Turkey
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the Kurdistan People's Congress or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005.
People and society
Nationality:
noun: Turk(s)
adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups:
Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)
Languages:
Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages
Religions:
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
Population:
80,694,485 (July 2013 est.)country com
parison to the world: 17
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.9% (male 10,682,900/female 10,201,965)
15-24 years: 17% (male 6,979,955/female 6,703,689)
25-54 years: 42.7% (male 17,375,544/female 17,097,927)
55-64 years: 7.9% (male 3,189,731/female 3,169,450)
65 years and over: 6.6% (male 2,422,983/female 2,870,341) (2013 est.)
population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 29.2 years
male: 28.8 years
female: 29.6 years (2013 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 70% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities - population:
Istanbul 10.378 million; ANKARA (capital) 3.846 million; Izmir 2.679 million; Bursa 1.559 million; Adana 1.339 million (2009)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.03 yearscountry comparison to the world: 126
male: 71.09 years
female: 75.07 years (2013 est.)
Health expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 93
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 0% of population (2010 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
27.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 36
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2006)country comparison to the world: 145
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.4%
male: 95.3%
female: 79.6% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 18.4%country comparison to the world: 68
male: 17.1%
female: 20.7% (2011)
Government of TURKEY
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Turkey
conventional short form: Turkey
local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Turkiye
Government type:
republican parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Ankara
Constitution:
7 November 1982; amended several times; note - amendment passed by referendum 21 October 2007 concerning presidential elections
Legal system:
civil law system based on various European legal systems notably the Swiss civil code; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister(For more information visit the World Leaders website
)
elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament
election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339
note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections
Legislative branch:
unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 June 2011 (next to be held by June 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 49.8%, CHP 25.9%, MHP 13%, independents 6.6%, other 4.7%; seats by party - AKP 326, CHP 135, MHP 53, independents 36; note - only parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court
Economy
Economy - overview:
Turkey's largely free-market economy is increasingly driven by its industry and service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. An aggressive privatization program has reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication, and an emerging cadre of middle-class entrepreneurs is adding dynamism to the economy and expanding production beyond the traditional textiles and clothing sectors. The automotive, construction, and electronics industries, are rising in importance and have surpassed textiles within Turkey's export mix. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. Several gas pipelines projects also are moving forward to help transport Central Asian gas to Europe through Turkey, which over the long term will help address Turkey's dependence on imported oil and gas to meet 97% of its energy needs. After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country's economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth - averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey's well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis and GDP rebounded strongly to 9.2% in 2010, as exports returned to normal levels following the recession. Growth dropped to approximately 3% in 2012. Turkey's public sector debt to GDP ratio has fallen to about 40%, and at least one rating agency upgraded Turkey's debt to investment grade in 2012. Turkey remains dependent on often volatile, short-term investment to finance its large trade deficit. The stock value of FDI stood at $117 billion at year-end 2012. Inflows have slowed because of continuing economic turmoil in Europe, the source of much of Turkey's FDI. Turkey's relatively high current account deficit, uncertainty related to monetary policy-making, and political turmoil within Turkey's neighborhood leave the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.125 trillion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 17
$1.093 trillion (2011 est.)
$1.007 trillion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$783.1 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 112
8.5% (2011 est.)
9.2% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,000 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 91
$14,600 (2011 est.)
$13,800 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.9%
industry: 28.1%
services: 63% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
27.11 millioncountry comparison to the world: 23
note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 25.5%
industry: 26.2%
services: 48.4% (2010)
Unemployment rate:
9% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 104
9.8% (2011 est.)
note: underemployment amounted to 4% in 2008
Population below poverty line:
16.9% (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
40.2 (2010)country comparison to the world: 58
43.6 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.9% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 73
7 November 1982; amended several times; note - amendment passed by referendum 21 October 2007 concerning presidential elections
Legal system:
civil law system based on various European legal systems notably the Swiss civil code; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister(For more information visit the World Leaders website
)elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament
election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339
note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections
Legislative branch:
unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 June 2011 (next to be held by June 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 49.8%, CHP 25.9%, MHP 13%, independents 6.6%, other 4.7%; seats by party - AKP 326, CHP 135, MHP 53, independents 36; note - only parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court
Economy
Economy - overview:
Turkey's largely free-market economy is increasingly driven by its industry and service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. An aggressive privatization program has reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication, and an emerging cadre of middle-class entrepreneurs is adding dynamism to the economy and expanding production beyond the traditional textiles and clothing sectors. The automotive, construction, and electronics industries, are rising in importance and have surpassed textiles within Turkey's export mix. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. Several gas pipelines projects also are moving forward to help transport Central Asian gas to Europe through Turkey, which over the long term will help address Turkey's dependence on imported oil and gas to meet 97% of its energy needs. After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country's economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth - averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey's well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis and GDP rebounded strongly to 9.2% in 2010, as exports returned to normal levels following the recession. Growth dropped to approximately 3% in 2012. Turkey's public sector debt to GDP ratio has fallen to about 40%, and at least one rating agency upgraded Turkey's debt to investment grade in 2012. Turkey remains dependent on often volatile, short-term investment to finance its large trade deficit. The stock value of FDI stood at $117 billion at year-end 2012. Inflows have slowed because of continuing economic turmoil in Europe, the source of much of Turkey's FDI. Turkey's relatively high current account deficit, uncertainty related to monetary policy-making, and political turmoil within Turkey's neighborhood leave the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.125 trillion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 17
$1.093 trillion (2011 est.)
$1.007 trillion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$783.1 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 112
8.5% (2011 est.)
9.2% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,000 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 91
$14,600 (2011 est.)
$13,800 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.9%
industry: 28.1%
services: 63% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
27.11 millioncountry comparison to the world: 23
note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 25.5%
industry: 26.2%
services: 48.4% (2010)
Unemployment rate:
9% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 104
9.8% (2011 est.)
note: underemployment amounted to 4% in 2008
Population below poverty line:
16.9% (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
40.2 (2010)country comparison to the world: 58
43.6 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.9% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 73
Budget:
revenues: $179.9 billion
expenditures: $200.4 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
23% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 134
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.6% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 97
Public debt:
40.4% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 90
40% of GDP (2011 est.)
Check out the web site for more detailed info. I hope to keep the blog simple and interesting with references to other sources of information.
Please let me know what you think. :)
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