2014 Edition

Background

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 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 2013, KGK and the Turkish Government agreed to a ceasefire that continues despite slow progress in ongoing peace talks. 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.

Area

783,562 sq km 769,632 sq km 13,930 sq km

total

783,562 sq km

water

13,930 sq km

Area - comparative

Area comparison map:

Climate

temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Coastline

7,200 km

Elevation extremes

Mediterranean Sea 0 m Mount Ararat 5,166 m

highest point

Mount Ararat 5,166 m

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification

party to

Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

40.1 cu km/yr (14%/10%/76%) 572.9 cu m/yr (2008)

per capita

572.9 cu m/yr (2008)

total

40.1 cu km/yr (14%/10%/76%)

Geographic coordinates

39 00 N, 35 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country

Irrigated land

53,400 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,656 km Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 17 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km

border countries

Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 17 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km

total

2,656 km

Land use

26.21% 3.94% 69.84% (2011)

arable land

26.21%

other

69.84% (2011)

permanent crops

3.94%

Location

Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR

exclusive economic zone

in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR

territorial sea

6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

volcanism

limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower

Terrain

high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges

Total renewable water resources

211.6 cu km (2011)

Age structure

25.5% (male 10,660,110/female 10,179,850) 16.8% (male 6,989,099/female 6,709,480) 42.9% (male 17,650,790/female 17,358,730) 8.1% (male 3,289,605/female 3,291,199) 6.6% (male 2,517,219/female 2,973,310) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

25.5% (male 10,660,110/female 10,179,850)

15-24 years

16.8% (male 6,989,099/female 6,709,480)

25-54 years

42.9% (male 17,650,790/female 17,358,730)

55-64 years

8.1% (male 3,289,605/female 3,291,199)

65 years and over

6.6% (male 2,517,219/female 2,973,310) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

16.86 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

321,866 3 % data represents children ages 6-14 (2006 est.)

percentage

3 %

total number

321,866

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.5% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

73% (2008)

Death rate

6.12 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.9 % 37.7 % 11.2 % 8.9 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

11.2 %

potential support ratio

8.9 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.9 %

youth dependency ratio

37.7 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.7% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.3% of population (2012 est.)

rural

1.2% of population

total

0.3% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)

Health expenditures

6.7% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,600 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

21.43 deaths/1,000 live births 22.48 deaths/1,000 live births 20.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

20.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

21.43 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Life expectancy at birth

73.29 years 71.33 years 75.35 years (2014 est.)

female

75.35 years (2014 est.)

total population

73.29 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.1% 97.9% 90.3% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

90.3% (2011 est.)

male

97.9%

total population

94.1%

Major urban areas - population

Istanbul 11.253 million; ANKARA (capital) 4.194 million; Izmir 2.927 million; Bursa 1.713 million; Adana 1.468 million; Gaziantep 1.198 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.6 years 29.2 years 30 years (2014 est.)

female

30 years (2014 est.)

male

29.2 years

total

29.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.3 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Turk(s) Turkish

adjective

Turkish

noun

Turk(s)

Net migration rate

0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.8% (2008)

Physicians density

1.71 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

81,619,392 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.12% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.2% of population rural: 75.5% of population total: 91.2% of population urban: 2.8% of population rural: 24.5% of population total: 8.8% of population (2012 est.)

rural

24.5% of population

total

8.8% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 15 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

15 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.08 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

17.5% 16.3% 19.9% (2012)

female

19.9% (2012)

total

17.5%

Urbanization

71.5% of total population (2011) 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

71.5% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak

Capital

Ankara 39 56 N, 32 52 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

39 56 N, 32 52 E

name

Ankara

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest ratified 9 November 1982; amended 2001, 2007, 2010 (2010)

Country name

Republic of Turkey Turkey Turkiye Cumhuriyeti Turkiye

conventional long form

Republic of Turkey

conventional short form

Turkey

local long form

Turkiye Cumhuriyeti

local short form

Turkiye

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr. (since 3 January 2011) 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 [90] (312) 455-5555 [90] (312) 467-0019 Istanbul Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir

chief of mission

Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr. (since 3 January 2011)

consulate(s)

Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir

consulate(s) general

Istanbul

embassy

110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara

FAX

[90] (312) 467-0019

mailing address

PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823

telephone

[90] (312) 455-5555

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Sedar KILIC (since 21 May 1014) 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 612-6700 [1] (202) 612-6744 Chicago, Houston, New York, Newton (MA)

chancery

2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Sedar KILIC (since 21 May 1014)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, New York, Newton (MA)

FAX

[1] (202) 612-6744

telephone

[1] (202) 612-6700

Executive branch

President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007) Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003) Council of Ministers appointed by the president upon the nomination of the prime minister president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament Abdullah GUL elected president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339 in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president upon the nomination of the prime minister

chief of state

President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007)

election results

Abdullah GUL elected president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339

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

head of government

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003)

Flag description

red with a vertical white crescent moon (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely resemble those on the banner of the Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey; the crescent moon and star serve as insignia for the Turks, as well as being traditional symbols of Islam; according to legend, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors

Government type

republican parliamentary democracy

Independence

29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, D-8, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (candidate country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court (consists of 17 members); Supreme Court of Appeals organized into 15 divisions with 38 civil and criminal chambers and consisting of 250 high judges and 440 rapporteur judges) Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president from among candidates submitted by plenary assemblies of other courts, the Higher Education Council, senior government administrators, and lawyers; judges appointed for 12-year, non-renewable terms and with mandatory retirement at age 65; Supreme Court of Appeals judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors; judge tenure NA Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court

highest court(s)

Constitutional Court (consists of 17 members); Supreme Court of Appeals organized into 15 divisions with 38 civil and criminal chambers and consisting of 250 high judges and 440 rapporteur judges)

judge selection and term of office

Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president from among candidates submitted by plenary assemblies of other courts, the Higher Education Council, senior government administrators, and lawyers; judges appointed for 12-year, non-renewable terms and with mandatory retirement at age 65; Supreme Court of Appeals judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court

Legal system

civil law system based on various European legal systems notably the Swiss civil code

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) last held on 12 June 2011 (next likely to be held by June 2015) 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

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

elections

last held on 12 June 2011 (next likely to be held by June 2015)

National anthem

"Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March) Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932

lyrics/music

Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR

name

"Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March)

National holiday

Republic Day, 29 October (1923)

National symbol(s)

star and crescent

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Left Party or DSP [Masum TURKER] Democratic Party or DP [Gultekin UYSAL] Felicity Party or SP [Mustafa KAMALAK] (sometimes translated as Contentment Party) Freedom and Solidarity Party or ODP [Alper TAS] Grand Unity Party or BBP [Mustafa DESTICI] Independent Turkey Party or BTP [Haydar BAS] Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN] Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI] Peace and Democracy Party or BDP [Selahattin DEMIRTAS] People's Democracy Party or HDP [Sebahat TUNCEL] Republican People's Party or CHP [Kemal KILICDAROGLU] the parties listed above are some of the more significant of the 61 parties that Turkey had according to the Ministry of Interior statistics current as of May 2009

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey or TUSKON [Rizanur MERAL] Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Lami OZGEN] Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Tayfun GORGUN] Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Omer Cihad VARDAN] Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Mahmut ARSLAN] Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Tugrul KUDATGOBILIK] Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Mustafa KUMLU] Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Bendevi PALANDOKEN] Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Muharrem YILMAZ] Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulses, citrus; livestock

Budget

$190.4 billion $207.9 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$207.9 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$190.4 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.25% (31 December 2011) 15% (22 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 19% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$58.35 billion (2013 est.) -$47.75 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$359.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $336.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.2 (2010) 43.6 (2003)

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 around 9% in 2010-11, as exports returned to normal levels following the recession. Growth dropped to roughly 3-4% in 2012-13. Turkey's public sector debt to GDP ratio has fallen below 40%, and two rating agencies upgraded Turkey's debt to investment grade in 2012 and 2013. Turkey remains dependent on often volatile, short-term investment to finance its large current account deficit. The stock value of FDI reached nearly $195 billion at year-end 2013, reflecting Turkey's robust growth even in the face of economic turmoil in Europe, the source of much of Turkey's FDI. Turkey's relatively high current account deficit, domestic political uncertainty, and turmoil within Turkey's neighborhood leave the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence.

Exchange rates

Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar - 1.899 (2013 est.) 1.796 (2012 est.) 1.5028 (2010 est.) 1.55 (2009) 1.3179 (2008)

Exports

$167.6 billion (2013 est.) $163.3 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment

Exports - partners

Germany 8.6%, Iraq 7.1%, Iran 6.5%, UK 5.7%, UAE 5.4%, Russia 4.4%, Italy 4.2%, France 4.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

71% 15.4% 19.4% 0% 26.6% -32.5% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

26.6%

government consumption

15.4%

household consumption

71%

imports of goods and services

-32.5%

investment in fixed capital

19.4%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

8.9% 27.3% 63.8% (2013 est.)

agriculture

8.9%

industry

27.3%

services

63.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,300 (2013 est.) $15,000 (2012 est.) $14,900 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2013 est.) 2.2% (2012 est.) 8.8% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$821.8 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.167 trillion (2013 est.) $1.124 trillion (2012 est.) $1.101 trillion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

19.4% of GDP (2013 est.) 20.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 23.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 30.3% (2008)

highest 10%

30.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$242.9 billion (2013 est.) $228.6 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment

Imports - partners

Russia 11.3%, Germany 9%, China 9%, US 6%, Italy 5.6%, Iran 5.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.6% (2013 est.) 8.9% (2012 est.)

Labor force

27.91 million about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

25.5% 26.2% 48.4% (2010)

agriculture

25.5%

industry

26.2%

services

48.4% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$308.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $201.8 billion (31 December 2011) $306.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.9% (2010)

Public debt

36.6% of GDP (2013 est.) 37.6% of GDP (2012 est.) data cover central government debt, and excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$117.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $119.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$383.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $405.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$33.44 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $30.94 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$194.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $181.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$549.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $552.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$80.72 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $85.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.3% (2013 est.) 9.2% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

296.3 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

338,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

56,650 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

270.4 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

170.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.49 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

64.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

32% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

4.362 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

49.52 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

217.7 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

38.13 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

600 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

45.92 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

632 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.173 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

706,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

107,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

301,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

418,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and up to 300 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; more than 1,000 private radio broadcast stations (2009)

Internet country code

.tr

Internet hosts

7.093 million (2012)

Internet users

27.233 million (2009)

Telephone system

comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially in mobile-cellular services additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2010)

domestic

additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially in mobile-cellular services

international

country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

13.86 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

67.68 million (2012)

Airports

98 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

17

2,438 to 3,047 m

38

914 to 1,523 m

16

over 3,047 m

16

total

91

under 914 m

4 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

7

Heliports

20 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 102, cargo 281, chemical tanker 80, container 42, liquefied gas 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 60, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 29, specialized tanker 1 1 (Italy 1) 645 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 7, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 3, Barbados 1, Belize 16, Brazil 1, Cambodia 15, Comoros 8, Cook Islands 4, Curacao 5, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 14, Italy 4, Kazakhstan 1, Liberia 16, Malta 233, Marshall Islands 70, Moldova 18, Panama 62, Russia 101, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 9, Slovakia 1, Tanzania 13, Togo 4, Tuvalu 1, unknown 3) (2010)

foreign-owned

1 (Italy 1)

registered in other countries

645 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 7, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 3, Barbados 1, Belize 16, Brazil 1, Cambodia 15, Comoros 8, Cook Islands 4, Curacao 5, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 14, Italy 4, Kazakhstan 1, Liberia 16, Malta 233, Marshall Islands 70, Moldova 18, Panama 62, Russia 101, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 9, Slovakia 1, Tanzania 13, Togo 4, Tuvalu 1, unknown 3) (2010)

total

629

Pipelines

gas 12,603 km; oil 3,038 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca Ambarli (2,121,549), Mersin (Icel) (1,126,866)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Ambarli (2,121,549), Mersin (Icel) (1,126,866)

major seaport(s)

Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca

Railways

12,008 km 12,008 km 1.435-m gauge (3,216 km electrified) (2012)

total

12,008 km

Roadways

385,748 km 352,268 km (includes 2,127 km of expressways) 33,486 km (2012)

total

385,748 km

unpaved

33,486 km (2012)

Waterways

1,200 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

21,079,077 20,558,696 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

20,558,696 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

21,079,077

Manpower fit for military service

17,664,510 17,340,816 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

17,340,816 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

17,664,510

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

700,079 670,328 (2010 est.)

female

670,328 (2010 est.)

male

700,079

Military - note

the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has actively pursued the goal of asserting civilian control over the military since first taking power in 2002; the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security has been significantly reduced; the TSK leadership continues to be an influential institution within Turkey, but plays a much smaller role in politics; the Turkish military remains focused on the threats emanating from the Syrian civil war, Russia's actions in Ukraine, and the PKK insurgency; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (Kurdish discontent), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities including in Afghanistan; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system; Turkey is a NATO ally and hosts NATO's Land Forces Command in Izmir, as well as the AN/TPY-2 radar as part of NATO Missile Defense (2014)

Military branches

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2013)

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK)

Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2013)

Military expenditures

2.31% of GDP (2012) 2.28% of GDP (2011) 2.31% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

21-41 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 15 months conscript obligation for non-university graduates, 6-12 months for university graduates; conscripts are called to register at age 20, for service at 21; women serve in the Turkish Armed Forces only as officers; reserve obligation to age 41; under a law passed in November 2011, men aged 30 and older, or who have worked 3 years in foreign countries, may pay $16,200 in lieu of mandatory military service (2013)

Disputes - international

complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley

Illicit drugs

key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls

Refugees and internally displaced persons

13,467 (Iraq) (2013); 783,065 (Syria) (2014) 954,000-1.2 million (displaced from 1984-2005 because of fighting between Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs are Kurds from eastern and southeastern provinces; no information available on persons displaced by development projects) (2012) 780 (2012)

IDPs

954,000-1.2 million (displaced from 1984-2005 because of fighting between Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs are Kurds from eastern and southeastern provinces; no information available on persons displaced by development projects) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

13,467 (Iraq) (2013); 783,065 (Syria) (2014)

stateless persons

780 (2012)