The region (then Anatolia) was at the centre of the Byzantine Empire and its capital, Constantinople, remained the greatest city in the world for at least 2000 years. The country suffered a defeat during World War I and witnessed the breakdown of the Ottoman Empire. It was from these remnants that Turkey was created in the year 1923. Shortly thereafter, the country became a democracy and also joined the UN in 1945. Introduction into NATO followed in the year 1952.

The Turks are sensitive of their heritage and proud of their culture. The younger generation is often well-dressed and have a global outlook to life.

Turkey is a big country that lies at the crossroads of East and West, both politically and geographically. 3% of its land is in Europe, separated from the remaining 97% Asian part by the Turkish Straits. Greece and Bulgaria border the country in the northwest, Georgia and Armenia in the northeast, Iraq and Syria to the southeast and Iran in the east. The Mediterranean Sea is in the south while the Black Sea and Aegean Sea lie in the north and the west respectively.

The region is more of a plateau with several mountain ranges, the highest point being Mount Arafat at 5100 m.