Turkey is roughly the same size as New South Wales. It lies at the extreme west of Asia, and in fact a small part of it (3%) is in Europe. The population is more than three times that of the whole of Australia.

Since 1923 the capital city of Turkey has been Ankara. But the largest city is Istanbul, the former capital. Many travelers believe Istanbul to be one of the most interesting cities in the world, with its grand mosques and other buildings from many centuries and its fascinating bazaars (markets).

Turkey has a variety of climates - temperate in the Black Sea region, "Mediteranean" near the west and south coasts. In the interior and in the east, summers are hot and dry, and there is often snow in winter.

EXERCISE

Mark each sentence TRUE or FALSE

TURKEY LINKS

• Focus on Turkey