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If you’re considering investing in the Turkey property market, it would be more than helpful to learn as much as possible about this wonderful country which holds a unique position at the crossroads between Asia to the east and Europe to the west. In this article that’s exactly what we will be doing - taking a look at Turkey the country.

Turkey is a huge country! It is over 1600 km in length and 800 km wide, giving it a roughly rectangular shape. It’s area - including several lakes thus encompasses over 783 thousand square kilometres, most of it in Asia. Turkey is in fact the 37th largest country in the world. On three of its sides it is surrounded by water - the Black Sea in the north, the Aegean to the west, and the Mediterranean to the south. Of course one must not forget the famous sea of Marmara in the north-west.

Geographically, Turkey is split into seven distinct regions: the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Aegean, Marmara, Eastern Anatolia, Central Anatolia and South-Eastern Anatolia. Each region is very different with distinct landscape. There are also many areas having a risk of earthquake or volcanic eruption. There was a very severe earthquake in 1999.

With regard to climate, that of Turkey is Mediterranean and temperate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet and cold winters, though conditions can be much harsher in the dryer interior. Turkish seasons are very distinct. The central Anatolian Plateau is much more subject to extremes than the coastal areas. Winters on the plateau are especially severe. Temperatures of -30 C to -40 C can occur in the mountains of the east, and snow can be found 120 days a year.

Turkey is very diverse and original culturally. It is a subtle fusion of the ancient Anatolian, Ottoman and Western cultures and traditions which began with the gradual westernization of the Ottoman Empire, and to this day continues. Following its gradual transformation from a religion controlled state into a modern nation with separation of church and government, the artistic life of the country also underwent a massive enlarging and diversification, with the government investing in the fine arts, new museums, theatres and building construction. The resulting contemporary Turkish culture is one of a diversified fusion of the old and the new, combining tradition and history with Western ideas.

Turkish music and literature are good examples of such a cultural mix. Music schools are popular throughout Turkey, from traditional Arab to hip-hop styles. Turkish literature was heavily influenced by that of Persia and Arabic literature during most of the Ottoman era, though later on the effect of both Turkish folk and Western literary traditions are increasingly felt.

As for buildings and architecture, in Turkey you find a unique blend of Byzantine, ottoman, Islamic and an increasing Western element. This is particularly in evidence in Istanbul where buildings such as the Blue Mosque are set against a background of contemporary high-rise office and apartment blocks.

Moving on to sport, the most popular sport in Turkey is the ubiquitous football. The major teams include Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce. In fact Turkey is now becoming a major international force in the game, with Galatasaray winning both the UEFA and UEFA Super Cups in 2000. Then a short while after, Turkey finished third in the World Cup finals in Japan.

Other mainstream sports such as basketball, volleyball and motor sports have also become popular. The men’s national basketball team finished second in Eurobasket 2001 and Efes Pilsen won the Korac Cup in 1996, finished second in the 1993 European Cup, and made it into the final four of the Euroleague and Suproleague in 2000 and 2001. But it is the women’s volleyball teams that have been the most successful by far in any team sport, winning several European championship titles and medals.

It is hoped that this short look at Turkey as it is today has given you some insights into this fascinating country at the dawn of a cultural re-awakening in the heart of Europe. In later articles we will be taking a look in much more detail at some of the fascinating aspects of this culturally rich nation.

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