Highlighting Turkey
by Sean on Mar.09, 2008, under Turkey
Known as the Republic of Turkey, this country is home for roughly 73 million people. Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, Turkey’s strategic location has given it major influence in the region, and control over the entrance to the Black Sea. It is north of Syria and east of Greece.
Formerly the Ottoman Empire until shortly after World War I, a military commander overthrew the empire and established a dictatorship. Since then they have flirted with democracy and have made tremendous reforms, despite ignoring the idea of basic universal human rights. Turkey has been trying for many years to get into the European Union, but have failed mostly due to the fact that they are more so in Asia and are Muslim.
Popularity: 2% [?]
March 10th, 2008 on 12:47 pm
Nice little history lesson! And they own a little bit of Cyprus too? Nice.
Yeah, I don’t think they’d get into the UN for awhile…
March 10th, 2008 on 5:34 pm
Good to see you are learning about a very interesting, and strategically important country. Turkey is very much a democracy, albeit not perfect — none is. Turkey does not grant the same personal freedoms as those in the US receive under the first amendment. Insulting the Republic or it’s founder Ataturk will lead to trouble, and Turkey is currently struggling with the headscarf issue, balancing freedom of expression and religion with that of secularism. Also, since the Republic’s beginning in 1923, issues have simmered with minorities, notably the approximately 20% of the population who is Kurdish, but also Armenians, Greeks, Alevis, and others. Under the current government, which many describe as mildly Islamist, steps have been made to be more inclusive to these minorities. However, critics view these reforms as too little and too slow.
Regarding the EU, Turkey may or may not eventually make it…that’s up to the Europeans and the Turks. Turkey was one of the 51 founders of the UN in 1945, and has been a valuable ally to the US in NATO.
In your travels, make sure to check out Istanbul. Its one of the world’s most enjoyable and historically interesting cities, first as Constantinople and then as the seat of the Ottoman Empire. Nicest people on the planet and the food rocks.
March 10th, 2008 on 6:15 pm
From what I hear the women are beautiful too