Merhaba! Welcome to the bridge between two continents—Turkey (or Türkiye), a transcontinental nation straddling Europe and Asia across the Turkish Straits. There are around 87,000,000 people living here, and the capital is Ankara, though Istanbul is the largest city and the only metropolis in the world situated on two continents. The official language is Turkish, written in the Latin alphabet since 1928.

Turkey covers about 783,356 square kilometers (302,455 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as Chile or about three times the size of the United Kingdom. Its landscape is incredibly diverse, from the tea-growing hills of the Black Sea to the “fairy chimney” rock formations of Central Anatolia and the turquoise bays of the Aegean.

The most popular sport is Football, with the “Big Three” clubs of Istanbul—Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş—having some of the most passionate fans in the world. Their national animal is the Grey Wolf, a symbol of Turkic mythology and strength, while the Angora Cat is a prized national treasure.

The flag consists of a red field with a white crescent moon and a five-pointed star, where the red represents the blood of the fallen soldiers and the white crescent and star signify the traditional symbols of the Ottoman Empire and Islam.

The food is a legendary fusion of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Balkan flavors. You must try Kebab, which comes in dozens of regional varieties like the spicy Adana or the yogurt-topped Iskender. Another favorite is Pide, often called “Turkish pizza,” a boat-shaped flatbread with various toppings. For a sweet treat, try Baklava, layers of flaky pastry with pistachios and honey, or Turkish Delight (Lokum). No visit is complete without Turkish Tea (Çay) served in tulip-shaped glasses or a cup of thick, dark Turkish Coffee.

Turkey is home to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has served as a cathedral, a mosque, and a museum. The country features Cappadocia, where you can take a hot air balloon over ancient cave dwellings and unique volcanic landscapes. You can visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the Mediterranean. For a natural wonder, head to Pamukkale, the “Cotton Castle,” famous for its white travertine terraces filled with mineral-rich thermal waters. Interestingly, Turkey is the world’s largest producer of hazelnuts, providing about 70% of the global supply!

From the bustling aisles of the Grand Bazaar to the eternal flames of Mount Chimaera, Turkey is a land where history is carved into every stone. Teşekkür ederim! That means “Thank you!”