CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY (First 3)

General Principles I. Form of the State ARTICLE 1- The State of Turkey is a Republic.

II. Characteristics of the Republic ARTICLE 2- The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state governed by rule of law, within the notions of public peace, national solidarity and justice, respecting human rights, loyal to the nationalism of Atatürk, and based on the fundamental tenets set forth in the preamble.

III. Integrity, official language, flag, national anthem, and capital of the State ARTICLE 3- The State of Turkey, with its territory and nation, is an indivisible entity. Its language is "Turkish". Its flag, the form of which is prescribed by the relevant law, is composed of a white crescent and star on a red background. Its national anthem is the “Istiklal Marsi”. Its capital is Ankara.

The Republic of Turkey is a country located at the intersection of the Asian and European continents, and stands out with its historical, cultural heritage and strategic importance. It bears the traces of deep-rooted civilizations due to its location at the intersection of the West and the East and its rich historical past. The country transitioned to a republican regime under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on October 29, 1923. Since then, it has implemented many reforms in social, economic and political areas.

Geography and Climate

Turkey is surrounded by the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west and the Mediterranean to the south. It has land borders with Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan), Iran to the east; Syria and Iraq to the south; and Greece and Bulgaria to the west. Geographical features such as the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles and the Sea of ??Marmara make Turkey a bridge between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Area: 783,562 km² Highest Point: Mount Ararat (5,137 m) Climate Types: Continental Climate (in Central Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia) Mediterranean Climate (on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts) Temperate Maritime Climate (on the Black Sea coasts)

Historical Background

Turkey has hosted many civilizations throughout history. Ancient civilizations such as the Hittites, Urartians, Lydians and Phrygians, as well as the Roman and Byzantine Empires, ruled Anatolia. The Seljuks, who entered Anatolia with the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, pioneered the Islamization of the region. The Ottoman Empire, which followed, dominated a wide geography for 600 years. The lands that were occupied after the Ottoman defeat in World War I gained independence with the War of Independence led by Atatürk between 1919-1922. With the declaration of the republic in 1923, the principles of a secular, democratic and social state governed by law were adopted.

Politics and Administration

The Republic of Turkey is a state that comes from a unitary and parliamentary tradition, but switched to the Presidential Government System with a referendum held in 2017. The administrative system has now abolished the office of prime minister and given executive authority directly to the President. Capital: Ankara President: Head of state and leader of the executive body. (Recep Tayyip Erdogan as of 2024) Parliament: Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Political Structure: A multi-party system has been adopted. Local, general and presidential elections are held in the country at regular intervals.

Economy Turkey"s economy is based on agriculture, industry and service sectors. Especially textiles, automotive, defense industry and tourism are important income sources. GNP: Around 900 billion USD Currency: Turkish Lira (?) Export Products: Automotive, machinery, electronics, textiles and agricultural products Tourism: Tourist destinations such as Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Istanbul attract millions of tourists every year. Although Turkey has signed a Customs Union agreement with the European Union, it is not yet a member of the EU. It also holds an important position in the global economy by being among the G20 countries.

Cultural Structure

Turkey"s culture carries both Eastern and Western influences. Traditional Anatolian culture, the influences of Islam and modernization efforts have diversified the country"s cultural structure. Language: The official language is Turkish. Religion: Although it is defined as a secular state in the constitution, the vast majority of the population is Muslim. Education: There is a 12-year compulsory education system. Universities and scientific research institutions are developed. Art and Literature: Important names such as Yunus Emre, Mevlana, Nazim Hikmet and Yasar Kemal are included in Turkish literature. Calligraphy, marbling and tile art stand out among traditional arts.

Demography and Society

Turkey is a country with a young population. As of 2024, its population is approximately 85 million, and a significant portion of this population lives in large cities. Istanbul is the most populous city with a population of over 15 million. Other major cities include Ankara, Izmir, Bursa and Antalya. Population Growth Rate: Starting to slow down. Ethnic Structure: Although Turks are the majority, there are also Kurds and other ethnic minorities. Immigration: Turkey has faced an influx of refugees, especially from Syria, in recent years. It is also a country that has emigrated to Germany and European countries. Turkey"s International Position Turkey has strategic importance due to its NATO membership and geographical location. It borders geopolitically critical regions such as the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Balkans. Although the process of full membership in the European Union continues, there are occasional disruptions in this process due to political and economic reasons. Turkey also plays an active role in many international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the G20 and the United Nations.

Conclusion

The Republic of Turkey continues to be an important actor in both its region and world politics with its historical and cultural richness, geographical location and young population. Aiming to grow with economic and social reforms in the coming years, Turkey also aims to develop in the fields of democracy and human rights.