This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day.

Topic: AfghanistanIndependence Day, 19 August (1919)

Topic: AlbaniaIndependence Day, 28 November (1912), also known as Flag Day

Topic: AlgeriaIndependence Day, 5 July (1962); Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)

Topic: American SamoaFlag Day, 17 April (1900)

Topic: AndorraOur Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

Topic: AngolaIndependence Day, 11 November (1975)

Topic: AnguillaAnguilla Day, 30 May (1967)

Topic: Antigua and BarbudaIndependence Day, 1 November (1981)

Topic: ArgentinaRevolution Day (May Revolution Day), 25 May (1810)

Topic: ArmeniaIndependence Day, 21 September (1991)

Topic: ArubaNational Anthem and Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

Topic: AustraliaAustralia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)

Topic: AustriaNational Day (commemorates passage of the law on permanent neutrality), 26 October (1955)

Topic: AzerbaijanRepublic Day (founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan), 28 May (1918)

Topic: Bahamas, TheIndependence Day, 10 July (1973)

Topic: BahrainNational Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection

Topic: BangladeshIndependence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

Topic: BarbadosIndependence Day, 30 November (1966)

Topic: BelarusIndependence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Topic: BelgiumBelgian National Day (ascension to the throne of King LEOPOLD I), 21 July (1831)

Topic: BelizeBattle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Topic: BeninIndependence Day, 1 August (1960)

Topic: BermudaBermuda Day, 24 May; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day

Topic: BhutanNational Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)

Topic: BoliviaIndependence Day, 6 August (1825)

Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaIndependence Day, 1 March (1992) and Statehood Day, 25 November (1943) - both observed in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity; Victory Day, 9 May (1945) and Dayton Agreement Day, 21 November (1995) - both observed in the Republika Srpska entity

note: there is no national-level holiday

Topic: BotswanaIndependence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Topic: BrazilIndependence Day, 7 September (1822)

Topic: British Virgin IslandsTerritory Day, 1 July (1956)

Topic: BruneiNational Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June

Topic: BulgariaLiberation Day, 3 March (1878)

Topic: Burkina FasoRepublic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community

Topic: BurmaIndependence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)

Topic: BurundiIndependence Day, 1 July (1962)

Topic: Cabo VerdeIndependence Day, 5 July (1975)

Topic: CambodiaIndependence Day, 9 November (1953)

Topic: CameroonState Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

Topic: CanadaCanada Day, 1 July (1867)

Topic: Cayman IslandsConstitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)

Topic: Central African RepublicRepublic Day, 1 December (1958)

Topic: ChadIndependence Day, 11 August (1960)

Topic: ChileIndependence Day, 18 September (1810)

Topic: ChinaNational Day (anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)

Topic: Christmas IslandAustralia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsAustralia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)

Topic: ColombiaIndependence Day, 20 July (1810)

Topic: ComorosIndependence Day, 6 July (1975)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theIndependence Day, 30 June (1960)

Topic: Congo, Republic of theIndependence Day, 15 August (1960)

Topic: Cook IslandsConstitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)

Topic: Costa RicaIndependence Day, 15 September (1821)

Topic: Cote d'IvoireIndependence Day, 7 August (1960)

Topic: CroatiaStatehood Day (National Day), 30 May (1990); note - marks the day in 1990 that the first modern multi-party Croatian parliament convened

Topic: CubaTriumph of the Revolution (Liberation Day), 1 January (1959)

Topic: CuracaoKing's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a SundayKing's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

Topic: CyprusIndependence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"

Topic: CzechiaCzechoslovak Founding Day, 28 October (1918)

Topic: DenmarkConstitution Day, 5 June (1849); note - closest equivalent to a national holiday

Topic: DjiboutiIndependence Day, 27 June (1977)

Topic: DominicaIndependence Day, 3 November (1978)

Topic: Dominican RepublicIndependence Day, 27 February (1844)

Topic: EcuadorIndependence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

Topic: EgyptRevolution Day, 23 July (1952)

Topic: El SalvadorIndependence Day, 15 September (1821)

Topic: Equatorial GuineaIndependence Day, 12 October (1968)

Topic: EritreaIndependence Day, 24 May (1991)

Topic: EstoniaIndependence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union restoring its statehood

Topic: EswatiniIndependence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)

Topic: EthiopiaDerg Downfall Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)

Topic: European UnionEurope Day (also known as Schuman Day), 9 May (1950); note - the day in 1950 that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of what became the European Coal and Steel Community, the progenitor of today's European Union, with the aim of achieving a united Europe

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Topic: Faroe IslandsOlaifest (Olavsoka) (commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF), 29 July (1030)

Topic: FijiFiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970)

Topic: FinlandIndependence Day, 6 December (1917)

Topic: FranceFete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)

Topic: French PolynesiaFete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)

Topic: GabonIndependence Day, 17 August (1960)

Topic: Gambia, TheIndependence Day, 18 February (1965)

Topic: GeorgiaIndependence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Topic: GermanyGerman Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

Topic: GhanaIndependence Day, 6 March (1957)

Topic: GibraltarNational Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain

Topic: GreeceIndependence Day, 25 March (1821)

Topic: GreenlandNational Day, June 21; note - marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

Topic: GrenadaIndependence Day, 7 February (1974)

Topic: GuamDiscovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)

Topic: GuatemalaIndependence Day, 15 September (1821)

Topic: GuernseyLiberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Topic: GuineaIndependence Day, 2 October (1958)

Topic: Guinea-BissauIndependence Day, 24 September (1973)

Topic: GuyanaRepublic Day, 23 February (1970)

Topic: HaitiIndependence Day, 1 January (1804)

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Election Day of Pope FRANCIS, 13 March (2013)

Topic: HondurasIndependence Day, 15 September (1821)

Topic: Hong KongNational Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July (1997) is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Topic: HungarySaint Stephen's Day, 20 August (1083); note - commemorates his canonization and the transfer of his remains to Buda (now Budapest) in 1083

Topic: IcelandIndependence Day, 17 June (1944)

Topic: IndiaRepublic Day, 26 January (1950)

Topic: IndonesiaIndependence Day, 17 August (1945)

Topic: IranRepublic Day, 1 April (1979)

Topic: IraqIndependence Day, 3 October (1932); Republic Day, 14 July (1958)

Topic: IrelandSaint Patrick's Day, 17 March; note - marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); although Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated in Ireland as early as the ninth century, it only became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903

Topic: Isle of ManTynwald Day, 5 July (1417); date Tynwald Day was first recorded

Topic: IsraelIndependence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May

Topic: ItalyRepublic Day, 2 June (1946)

Topic: JamaicaIndependence Day, 6 August (1962)

Topic: JapanBirthday of Emperor NARUHITO, 23 February (1960); note - celebrates the birthday of the current emperor

Topic: JerseyLiberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Topic: JordanIndependence Day, 25 May (1946)

Topic: KazakhstanIndependence Day, 16 December (1991)

Topic: KenyaJamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule

Topic: KiribatiIndependence Day, 12 July (1979)

Topic: Korea, NorthFounding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)

Topic: Korea, SouthLiberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Topic: KosovoIndependence Day, 17 February (2008)

Topic: KuwaitNational Day, 25 February (1950)

Topic: KyrgyzstanIndependence Day, 31 August (1991)

Topic: LaosRepublic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)

Topic: LatviaIndependence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Latvian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union

Topic: LebanonIndependence Day, 22 November (1943)

Topic: LesothoIndependence Day, 4 October (1966)

Topic: LiberiaIndependence Day, 26 July (1847)

Topic: LibyaLiberation Day, 23 October (2011)

Topic: LiechtensteinNational Day, 15 August (1940); note - a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince FRANZ JOSEF II (1906-1989) whose birth fell on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday by law in 1990

Topic: LithuaniaIndependence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Lithuanian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union

Topic: LuxembourgNational Day (birthday of Grand Duke HENRI), 23 June; note - this date of birth is not the true date of birth for any of the Royals, but the national festivities were shifted in 1962 to allow observance during a more favorable time of year

Topic: MacauNational Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December (1999) is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Topic: MadagascarIndependence Day, 26 June (1960)

Topic: MalawiIndependence Day, 6 July (1964); note - also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966

Topic: MalaysiaIndependence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)

Topic: MaldivesIndependence Day, 26 July (1965)

Topic: MaliIndependence Day, 22 September (1960)

Topic: MaltaIndependence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)

Topic: Marshall IslandsConstitution Day, 1 May (1979)

Topic: MauritaniaIndependence Day, 28 November (1960)

Topic: MauritiusIndependence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968 & 1992); note - became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992 respectively

Topic: MexicoIndependence Day, 16 September (1810)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofConstitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Topic: MoldovaIndependence Day, 27 August (1991)

Topic: MonacoNational Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)

Topic: MongoliaNaadam (games) holiday (commemorates independence from China in the 1921 Revolution), 11-15 July; Constitution Day (marks the date that the Mongolian People's Republic was created under a new constitution), 26 November (1924)

Topic: MontenegroStatehood Day, 13 July (1878, the day the Berlin Congress recognized Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world, and 1941, the day the Montenegrins staged an uprising against fascist occupiers and sided with the partisan communist movement)

Topic: MontserratBirthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June (1926)

Topic: MoroccoThrone Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

Topic: MozambiqueIndependence Day, 25 June (1975)

Topic: NamibiaIndependence Day, 21 March (1990)

Topic: NauruIndependence Day, 31 January (1968)

Topic: NepalConstitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar

Topic: NetherlandsKing's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; currently celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

Topic: New CaledoniaFete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)

Topic: New ZealandWaitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); Anzac Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)

Topic: NicaraguaIndependence Day, 15 September (1821)

Topic: NigerRepublic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960

Topic: NigeriaIndependence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)

Topic: NiueWaitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Topic: Norfolk IslandBounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)

Topic: North MacedoniaIndependence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day

Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsCommonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Topic: NorwayConstitution Day, 17 May (1814)

Topic: OmanNational Day, 18 November; note - celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020

Topic: PakistanPakistan Day (also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day), 23 March (1940); note - commemorates both the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the All-India Muslim League during its 22-24 March 1940 session, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Topic: PalauConstitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)

Topic: PanamaIndependence Day (Separation Day), 3 November (1903)

Topic: Papua New GuineaIndependence Day, 16 September (1975)

Topic: ParaguayIndependence Day, 14-15 May (1811) (observed 15 May); 14 May is celebrated as Flag Day

Topic: PeruIndependence Day, 28-29 July (1821)

Topic: PhilippinesIndependence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from the US

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsBirthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926); Discovery Day (Pitcairn Day), 2 July (1767)

Topic: PolandConstitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Topic: PortugalPortugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died

Topic: Puerto RicoUS Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

Topic: QatarNational Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Topic: RomaniaUnification Day (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Topic: RussiaRussia Day, 12 June (1990); note - commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR)

Topic: RwandaIndependence Day, 1 July (1962)

Topic: Saint BarthelemyFete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaBirthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, third Monday in April (1926)

Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisIndependence Day, 19 September (1983)

Topic: Saint LuciaIndependence Day, 22 February (1979)

Topic: Saint MartinFete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - local holiday is Schoelcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848), as well as St. Martin's Day, 11 November (1985), which commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin's Day, 11 November 1493; the latter holiday celebrated on both halves of the island

Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonFete de la Federation, 14 July (1790)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesIndependence Day, 27 October (1979)

Topic: SamoaIndependence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June

Topic: San MarinoFounding of the Republic (or Feast of Saint Marinus), 3 September (A.D. 301)

Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeIndependence Day, 12 July (1975)

Topic: Saudi ArabiaSaudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom), 23 September (1932)

Topic: SenegalIndependence Day, 4 April (1960)

Topic: SerbiaStatehood Day, 15 February (1835), the day the first constitution of the country was adopted

Topic: SeychellesConstitution Day, 18 June (1993); Independence Day (National Day), 29 June (1976)

Topic: Sierra LeoneIndependence Day, 27 April (1961)

Topic: SingaporeNational Day, 9 August (1965)

Topic: Sint MaartenKing's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday; local holiday Sint Maarten's Day, 11 November (1985), commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin's Day, 11 November 1493; celebrated on both halves of the islandKing's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday; local holiday Sint Maarten's Day, 11 November (1985), commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin's Day, 11 November 1493; celebrated on both halves of the island

Topic: SlovakiaConstitution Day, 1 September (1992)

Topic: SloveniaIndependence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)

Topic: Solomon IslandsIndependence Day, 7 July (1978)

Topic: SomaliaFoundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland

Topic: South AfricaFreedom Day, 27 April (1994)

Topic: South SudanIndependence Day, 9 July (2011)

Topic: SpainNational Day (Hispanic Day), 12 October (1492); note - commemorates the arrival of COLUMBUS in the Americas

Topic: Sri LankaIndependence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)

Topic: SudanIndependence Day, 1 January (1956)

Topic: SurinameIndependence Day, 25 November (1975)

Topic: SwedenNational Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day

Topic: SwitzerlandFounding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day

Topic: SyriaIndependence Day (Evacuation Day), 17 April (1946); note - celebrates the leaving of the last French troops and the proclamation of full independence

Topic: TaiwanRepublic Day (National Day), 10 October (1911); note - celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolution, also known as Double Ten (10-10) Day

Topic: TajikistanIndependence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)

Topic: TanzaniaUnion Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)

Topic: ThailandBirthday of King WACHIRALONGKON, 28 July (1952)

Topic: Timor-LesteRestoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Topic: TogoIndependence Day, 27 April (1960)

Topic: TokelauWaitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Topic: TongaOfficial Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)

Topic: Trinidad and TobagoIndependence Day, 31 August (1962)

Topic: TunisiaIndependence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)

Topic: TurkeyRepublic Day, 29 October (1923)

Topic: TurkmenistanIndependence Day, 27 October (1991)

Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsBirthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June

Topic: TuvaluIndependence Day, 1 October (1978)

Topic: UgandaIndependence Day, 9 October (1962)

Topic: UkraineIndependence Day, 24 August (1991); note - 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence from Soviet Russia, and the date the short-lived Western and Greater (Eastern) Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day

Topic: United Arab EmiratesIndependence Day (National Day), 2 December (1971)

Topic: United Kingdomthe UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday

Topic: United StatesIndependence Day, 4 July (1776)

Topic: UruguayIndependence Day, 25 August (1825)

Topic: UzbekistanIndependence Day, 1 September (1991)

Topic: VanuatuIndependence Day, 30 July (1980)

Topic: VenezuelaIndependence Day, 5 July (1811)

Topic: VietnamIndependence Day (National Day), 2 September (1945)

Topic: Virgin IslandsTransfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)

Topic: Wallis and FutunaBastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Topic: YemenUnification Day, 22 May (1990)

Topic: ZambiaIndependence Day, 24 October (1964)

Topic: ZimbabweIndependence Day, 18 April (1980)


Topic: Photos of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Topic: Introduction
Background: Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively.

In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively.

In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef
Geographic coordinates: 12 25 S, 123 20 E

note - Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E; Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Area - comparative: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Elevation: highest point: Cartier Island 5 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
Map description: Ashmore and Cartier Islands map showing the islands and reefs that make up this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.Ashmore and Cartier Islands map showing the islands and reefs that make up this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: (July 2021 est.) no indigenous inhabitants

note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA

15-24 years: NA

25-54 years: NA

55-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Population growth rate: 0.32% (2021 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA
Current Health Expenditure: NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems; sea level rise, changes in sea temperature, and ocean acidification are concerns; marine debris
Climate: tropical
Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Citizenship: see Australia
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: no economic activity

Topic: Transportation
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Australia-Indonesia:  Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore ReefAustralia-Indonesia:  Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef


Topic: Photos of Turkey (Turkiye)

Topic: Introduction
Background: Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the 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 radical 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 Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal 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. An unsuccessful coup attempt was made in July 2016 by a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces. 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), a US-designated terrorist organization, has long dominated the attention of Turkish security forces and claimed more than 40,000 lives. In 2013, the Turkish Government and the PKK conducted negotiations aimed at ending the violence, however intense fighting resumed in 2015. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005. Over the past decade, economic reforms, coupled with some political reforms, have contributed to a growing economy, although economic growth slowed in recent years, with occasional bouts of turmoil. From 2015 and continuing through 2016, Turkey witnessed an uptick in terrorist violence, including major attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, and throughout the predominantly Kurdish southeastern region of Turkey. On 15 July 2016, elements of the Turkish Armed forces attempted a coup that ultimately failed following widespread popular resistance. More than 240 people were killed and over 2,000 injured when Turkish citizens took to the streets en masse to confront the coup forces. The government accused followers of the Fethullah Gulen transnational religious and social movement ("Hizmet") for allegedly instigating the failed coup and designates the movement’s followers as terrorists. Since the attempted coup, Turkish Government authorities arrested, suspended, or dismissed more than 130,000 security personnel, journalists, judges, academics, and civil servants due to their alleged connection to Gulen's movement. Following the failed coup, the Turkish Government instituted a State of Emergency from July 2016 to July 2018. The Turkish Government conducted a referendum on 16 April 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The amendments went into effect fully following the presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2018.Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the 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 radical 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 Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal 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. An unsuccessful coup attempt was made in July 2016 by a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces.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), a US-designated terrorist organization, has long dominated the attention of Turkish security forces and claimed more than 40,000 lives. In 2013, the Turkish Government and the PKK conducted negotiations aimed at ending the violence, however intense fighting resumed in 2015. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005. Over the past decade, economic reforms, coupled with some political reforms, have contributed to a growing economy, although economic growth slowed in recent years, with occasional bouts of turmoil.From 2015 and continuing through 2016, Turkey witnessed an uptick in terrorist violence, including major attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, and throughout the predominantly Kurdish southeastern region of Turkey. On 15 July 2016, elements of the Turkish Armed forces attempted a coup that ultimately failed following widespread popular resistance. More than 240 people were killed and over 2,000 injured when Turkish citizens took to the streets en masse to confront the coup forces. The government accused followers of the Fethullah Gulen transnational religious and social movement ("Hizmet") for allegedly instigating the failed coup and designates the movement’s followers as terrorists. Since the attempted coup, Turkish Government authorities arrested, suspended, or dismissed more than 130,000 security personnel, journalists, judges, academics, and civil servants due to their alleged connection to Gulen's movement. Following the failed coup, the Turkish Government instituted a State of Emergency from July 2016 to July 2018. The Turkish Government conducted a referendum on 16 April 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The amendments went into effect fully following the presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2018.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
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
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 783,562 sq km

land: 769,632 sq km

water: 13,930 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries: total: 2,816 km

border countries (8): Armenia 311 km; Azerbaijan 17 km; Bulgaria 223 km; Georgia 273 km; Greece 192 km; Iran 534 km; Iraq 367 km; Syria 899 km
Coastline: 7,200 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea

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

12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea
Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Terrain: high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges
Elevation: highest point: Mount Ararat 5,137 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,132 m
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
Land use: agricultural land: 49.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 26.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 19% (2018 est.)

forest: 14.9% (2018 est.)

other: 35.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 52,150 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Beysehir - 650 sq km; Lake Egridir - 520 sq km

Salt water lake(s): Lake Van - 3,740 sq km; Lake Tuz - 1,640 sq km;
Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Population distribution: the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast
Natural hazards: severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van; landslides; floodingvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earliersevere earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van; landslides; floodingvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier
Geography - note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link the Black and Aegean Seas; the 3% of Turkish territory north of the Straits lies in Europe and goes by the names of European Turkey, Eastern Thrace, or Turkish Thrace; the 97% of the country in Asia is referred to as Anatolia; Istanbul, which straddles the Bosporus, is the only metropolis in the world located on two continents; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country
Map description: Turkey (Turkiye) map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Black Seas.Turkey (Turkiye) map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 83,047,706 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Turk(s)

adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 6-11% (2016 est.)
Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, temel bilgi edinmek için vazgeçilmez bir kaynak. (Turkish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.41% (male 9,823,553/female 9,378,767)

15-24 years: 15.67% (male 6,564,263/female 6,286,615)

25-54 years: 43.31% (male 17,987,103/female 17,536,957)

55-64 years: 9.25% (male 3,764,878/female 3,822,946)

65 years and over: 8.35% (2020 est.) (male 3,070,258/female 3,782,174)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49.1

youth dependency ratio: 35.7

elderly dependency ratio: 13.4

potential support ratio: 7.5 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 32.2 years

male: 31.7 years

female: 32.8 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 14.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast
Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 15.636 million Istanbul, 5.310 million ANKARA (capital), 3.056 million Izmir, 2.055 million Bursa, 1.814 million Adana, 1.773 million Gaziantep (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.6 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 19.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.01 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.21 years

male: 73.84 years

female: 78.7 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 69.8% (2018)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.1% of population

rural: 98.7% of population

total: 99% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population

rural: 1.3% of population

total: 1% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population

rural: 98.7% of population

total: 99.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population

rural: 1.3% of population

total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Turkey; as of 18 August 2022, Turkey has reported a total of 16,528,070 cases of COVID-19 or 19,597.17 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 100,058 cumulative deaths or a rate of 118.63 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 17 August 2022, 68.31% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 32.1% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 30.7% (2020 est.)

male: 42.1% (2020 est.)

female: 19.2% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.5% (2018/19)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 2%

women married by age 18: 14.7% (2018 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.7%

male: 99.1%

female: 94.4% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 18 years

male: 19 years

female: 18 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.1%

male: 22.5%

female: 29.9% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; land degradation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic; conservation of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Environmental Modification
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 41.97 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 372.72 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 57.53 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Land use: agricultural land: 49.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 26.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 19% (2018 est.)

forest: 14.9% (2018 est.)

other: 35.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Turkey; as of 18 August 2022, Turkey has reported a total of 16,528,070 cases of COVID-19 or 19,597.17 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 100,058 cumulative deaths or a rate of 118.63 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 17 August 2022, 68.31% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 31.283 million tons (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Beysehir - 650 sq km; Lake Egridir - 520 sq km

Salt water lake(s): Lake Van - 3,740 sq km; Lake Tuz - 1,640 sq km;
Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 6.016 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 2.898 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 50.05 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 211.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey

conventional short form: Turkey

local long form: Turkey Cumhuriyeti

local short form: Turkey

etymology: the name means "Land of the Turks"

note: Turkiye is an approved English short-form name for Turkey
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Ankara

geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: Ankara has been linked with a second millennium B.C. Hittite cult center of Ankuwash, although this connection is uncertain; in classical and medieval times, the city was known as Ankyra (meaning "anchor" in Greek and reflecting the city's position as a junction for multiple trade and military routes); by about the 13th century the city began to be referred to as Angora; following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the city's name became Ankara
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
Independence: 29 October 1923 (republic proclaimed, succeeding the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest ratified 9 November 1982

amendments: proposed by written consent of at least one third of Grand National Assembly (GNA) of Turkey (TBMM) members; adoption of draft amendments requires two debates in plenary TBMM session and three-fifths majority vote of all GNA members; the president of the republic can request TBMM reconsideration of the amendment and, if readopted by two-thirds majority TBMM vote, the president may submit the amendment to a referendum; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote; amended several times, last in 2017
Legal system: civil law system based on various European legal systems, notably the Swiss civil code
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkey

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from the government

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (chief of state since 28 August 2014; head of government since 9 July 2019); Vice President Fuat OKTAY (since 9 July 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (head of government since 9 July 2019; chief of state since 28 August 2014); note - a 2017 constitutional referendum eliminated the post of prime minister after the 2018 general election

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 June 2018 (next scheduled for June 2023)

election results: Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN reelected president in the first round; Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 52.6%, Muharrem INCE (CHP) 30.6%, Selahattin DEMIRTAS (HDP) 8.4%, Meral AKSENER (IYI) 7.3%, other 1.1%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkey Buyuk Millet Meclisi (600 seats - increased from 550 seats beginning with June 2018 election; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms - increased from 4 to 5 years beginning with June 2018 election)

elections: last held on 24 June 2018 (next to be held in June 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - People's Alliance 53.7% (AKP 42.6%, MHP 11.1%), Nation Alliance 33.9% (CHP 22.6%, IYI 10%, SP 1.3%), HDP 11.7%, other 0.7%; seats by party - People's Alliance 344 (AKP 295, MHP 49), National Alliance 189 (CHP 146, IYI 43), HDP 67; composition - men 496, women 104, percent of women 17.3%; note - only parties surpassing a 10% threshold can win parliamentary seats
Judicial branch: highest courts: Constitutional Court or Anayasa Mahkemesi (consists of the president, 2 vice presidents, and 12 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of about 390 judges and is organized into civil and penal chambers); Council of State (organized into 15 divisions - 14 judicial and 1 consultative - each with a division head and at least 5 members)

judge selection and term of office: Constitutional Court members - 3 appointed by the Grand National Assembly and 12 by the president of the republic; court president and 2 deputy court presidents appointed from among its members for 4-year terms; judges serve 12-year, nonrenewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Board of Judges and Prosecutors, a 13-member body of judicial officials; Court of Cassation judges serve until retirement at age 65; Council of State members appointed by the Board and by the president of the republic; members serve renewable, 4-year terms

subordinate courts: regional appeals courts; basic (first instance) courts; peace courts; aggravated crime courts; specialized courts, including administrative and audit; note - a constitutional amendment in 2017 abolished military courts unless established to investigate military personnel actions during war conditions
Political parties and leaders: Democracy and Progress Party [Ali BABACAN]
Democrat Party or DP [Gultekin UYSAL]
Democratic Regions Party or DBP [Saliha AYDENIZ, Keskin BAYINDIR]
Felicity Party (Saadet Party) or SP [Temel KARAMOLLAOGLU]
Free Cause Party or HUDA PAR [Zekeriya YAPICIOGLU]
Future Party (Gelecek Partisi) [Ahmet DAVUTOGLU]
Good Party (IYI Party) [Meral AKSENER]
Grand Unity Party or BBP [Mustafa DESTICI]
Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]
Nation Alliance (electoral alliance includes CHP, IYI, SP, DP)
Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]
Patriotic Party (Vatan Partisi) or VP [Dogu PERINCEK]
People's Alliance (electoral alliance AKP, MHP, BBP)
Peoples' Democratic Party or HDP [Pervin BULDAN, Mithat SANCAR]
Republican People's Party or CHP [Kemal KILICDAROGLU]

note:  as of September 2021, 116 political parties were legally registered
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, CPLP (associate observer), 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, PIF (partner), SCO (dialogue member), SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hasan MURAT MERCAN (since 20 April 2021)

chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700; [1] (202) 612-6701

FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744

email address and website:
embassy.washingtondc@mfa.gov.tr

http://washington.emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey Lane FLAKE (since 26 January 2022)

embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara

mailing address: 7000 Ankara Place, Washington  DC 20512-7000

telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555

FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019

email address and website:
Ankara-ACS@state.gov

https://tr.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Istanbul

consulate(s): Adana
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 Turkic peoples; according to one interpretation, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors
National symbol(s): vertical crescent moon with adjacent five-pointed star; national colors: red, white
National anthem: name: "Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March)

lyrics/music: Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR

note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 19 (17 cultural, 2 mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Archaeological Site of Troy (c); Ephesus (c); Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape (c); Hierapolis-Pamukkale (m); Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (m); Göbekli Tepe (c); Historic Areas of Istanbul (c); Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex (c); Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük (c); Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire (c)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Turkey's largely free-market economy is driven by its industry and, increasingly, service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. The automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries have risen in importance and surpassed the traditional textiles and clothing sectors within Turkey's export mix. However, the recent period of political stability and economic dynamism has given way to domestic uncertainty and security concerns, which are generating financial market volatility and weighing on Turkey’s economic outlook.   Current government policies emphasize populist spending measures and credit breaks, while implementation of structural economic reforms has slowed. The government is playing a more active role in some strategic sectors and has used economic institutions and regulators to target political opponents, undermining private sector confidence in the judicial system. Between July 2016 and March 2017, three credit ratings agencies downgraded Turkey’s sovereign credit ratings, citing concerns about the rule of law and the pace of economic reforms.   Turkey remains highly dependent on imported oil and gas but is pursuing energy relationships with a broader set of international partners and taking steps to increase use of domestic energy sources including renewables, nuclear, and coal. The joint Turkish-Azerbaijani Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline is moving forward to increase transport of Caspian gas to Turkey and Europe, and when completed will help diversify Turkey's sources of imported gas.   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. An aggressive privatization program also reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, power generation, and communication. 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 growth rebounded to around 9% in 2010 and 2011, as exports and investment recovered following the crisis.   The growth of Turkish GDP since 2016 has revealed the persistent underlying imbalances in the Turkish economy. In particular, Turkey’s large current account deficit means it must rely on external investment inflows to finance growth, leaving the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Other troublesome trends include rising unemployment and inflation, which increased in 2017, given the Turkish lira’s continuing depreciation against the dollar. Although government debt remains low at about 30% of GDP, bank and corporate borrowing has almost tripled as a percent of GDP during the past decade, outpacing its emerging-market peers and prompting investor concerns about its long-term sustainability.Turkey's largely free-market economy is driven by its industry and, increasingly, service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. The automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries have risen in importance and surpassed the traditional textiles and clothing sectors within Turkey's export mix. However, the recent period of political stability and economic dynamism has given way to domestic uncertainty and security concerns, which are generating financial market volatility and weighing on Turkey’s economic outlook. Current government policies emphasize populist spending measures and credit breaks, while implementation of structural economic reforms has slowed. The government is playing a more active role in some strategic sectors and has used economic institutions and regulators to target political opponents, undermining private sector confidence in the judicial system. Between July 2016 and March 2017, three credit ratings agencies downgraded Turkey’s sovereign credit ratings, citing concerns about the rule of law and the pace of economic reforms. Turkey remains highly dependent on imported oil and gas but is pursuing energy relationships with a broader set of international partners and taking steps to increase use of domestic energy sources including renewables, nuclear, and coal. The joint Turkish-Azerbaijani Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline is moving forward to increase transport of Caspian gas to Turkey and Europe, and when completed will help diversify Turkey's sources of imported gas. 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. An aggressive privatization program also reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, power generation, and communication. 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 growth rebounded to around 9% in 2010 and 2011, as exports and investment recovered following the crisis. The growth of Turkish GDP since 2016 has revealed the persistent underlying imbalances in the Turkish economy. In particular, Turkey’s large current account deficit means it must rely on external investment inflows to finance growth, leaving the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Other troublesome trends include rising unemployment and inflation, which increased in 2017, given the Turkish lira’s continuing depreciation against the dollar. Although government debt remains low at about 30% of GDP, bank and corporate borrowing has almost tripled as a percent of GDP during the past decade, outpacing its emerging-market peers and prompting investor concerns about its long-term sustainability.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2,393,960,000,000 (2020 est.)

$2,352,640,000,000 (2019 est.)

$2,331,270,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.98% (2019 est.)

3.04% (2018 est.)

7.54% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $28,400 (2020 est.)

$28,200 (2019 est.)

$28,300 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $760.028 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.4% (2019 est.)

16.2% (2018 est.)

11.1% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2019)

Moody's rating: B2 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2018)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 32.3% (2017 est.)

services: 60.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 59.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 29.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 24.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -29.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, wheat, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, watermelons, apples
Industries: textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Industrial production growth rate: 9.1% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 25.677 million (2020 est.)

note: this number is for the domestic labor force only; number does not include about 1.2 million Turks working abroad, nor refugees
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 18.4%

industry: 26.6%

services: 54.9% (2016)
Unemployment rate: 13.68% (2019 est.)

11% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.1%

male: 22.5%

female: 29.9% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 14.4% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.9 (2018 est.)

43.6 (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
Budget: revenues: 172.8 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 185.8 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 28.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $8.561 billion (2019 est.)

-$20.745 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $203.29 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$245.84 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$237.54 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Germany 9%, United Kingdom 6%, Iraq 5%, Italy 5%, United States 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, jewelry, clothing and apparel (2019)
Imports: $232.01 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$227.06 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$248.09 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 11%, China 9%, Russia 9%, United States 5%, Italy 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: gold, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, vehicle parts, scrap iron (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $107.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$106.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $438.677 billion (2019 est.)

$454.251 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar -

7.81925 (2020 est.)

5.8149 (2019 est.)

5.28905 (2018 est.)

2.72 (2014 est.)

2.1885 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 96.846 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 263.952 billion kWh (2020 est.)

exports: 2.484 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 1.888 billion kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 29.275 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 56.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 8.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 26.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 3.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 78.871 million metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 108.271 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 54,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 40.919 million metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 11.525 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 70,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 987,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 423,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 366 million barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 657,900 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 141,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 560,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 469.464 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 44,605,473,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 759.372 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

imports: 45,091,248,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves: 3.794 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 391.792 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 172.298 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 133.587 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 85.907 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 79.126 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,448,604 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 80,790,900 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 96.84 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Turkey continues to develop its capabilities within its telecom sector, becoming one of the relatively few countries able to build and develop its own communications satellites; with the successful launch of the Turksat 5A and 5B satellites in 2021, the country has vastly increased its bandwidth capacity; these satellites will be joined by the Turksat 6A in early 2023; the country’s telcos have invested in fiber infrastructure, with Vodafone Turkey having trialed a 1Tb/s service in late 2021 to support its 5G network back haul and improve the quality of its fixed infrastructure; deployment of fiber-based broadband networks are well established, with fiber accounting for 26.7% of all fixed broadband connections as of early 2022; the DSL sector still dominates, accounting for about 63% of connections, but its share is steadily declining, year-on-year, while the number of fiber connections has grown strongly; improved fixed and mobile infrastructure is underpinning the country’s initiatives relating to Smart City concepts, which have become a key area of focus for the emerging digital economy and the transformation to a knowledge-based economy; Turkey’s National Smart Cities Strategy and Action Plan runs through to 2023. (2022)

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; fixed-line nearly 15 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is over 97 telephones per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 90; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3 & -5, MedNautilus Submarine System, Turcyos-1 & -2 submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia ; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2020)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and 567 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; 1,007 private radio broadcast stations (2019)Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and 567 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; 1,007 private radio broadcast stations
Internet country code: .tr
Internet users: total: 65,784,472 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 78% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 16,734,853 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 11 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 618

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 115,595,495 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5,949,210,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TC
Airports: total: 98 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 91

over 3,047 m: 16

2,438 to 3,047 m: 38

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 4 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Heliports: 20 (2021)
Pipelines: 14,666 km gas, 3,293 km oil (2017)
Railways: total: 11,497 km (2018)

standard gauge: 11,497 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (1.435 km high speed train)
Roadways: total: 67,333 km (2018)

paved: 24,082 km (2018) (includes 2,159 km of expressways)

unpaved: 43,251 km (2018)
Waterways: 1,200 km (2010)
Merchant marine: total: 1,217

by type: bulk carrier 39, container ship 41, general cargo 317, oil tanker 126, other 694 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca

container port(s) (TEUs): Ambarli (3,104,882), Mersin (Icel) (1,854,312), Izmet (1,715,193) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Aliaga, Dortyol, Ekti (Izmir), Marmara Ereglisi

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: 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); Ministry of Interior: Gendarmerie of the Turkish Republic (aka Gendarmerie General Command), Turkish Coast Guard Command, National Police (2022)

note: the Gendarmerie is responsible for the maintenance of the public order in areas that fall outside the jurisdiction of police forces (generally in rural areas); in wartime, the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard would be placed under the operational control of the Land Forces and Naval Forces, respectively
Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.9% of GDP (2020)

1.9% of GDP (2019) (approximately $36.3 billion)

1.8% of GDP (2018) (approximately $37.2 billion)

1.5% of GDP (2017) (approximately $32.8 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 445,000 active duty personnel (350,000 Army; 45,000 Navy; 50,000 Air Force); approximately 150,000 Gendarmerie (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Turkish Armed Forces inventory is mostly comprised of a mix of domestically-produced and Western weapons systems, although in recent years, Turkey has also acquired some Chinese, Russian, and South Korean equipment; since 2010, the US is the leading provider of armaments to Turkey, followed by Italy, South Korea, and Spain; Turkey has a robust defense industry capable of producing a range of weapons systems for both export and internal use, including armored vehicles, naval vessels, and unmanned aerial platforms, although it is heavily dependent on Western technology; Turkey's defense industry also partners with other countries for defense production (2021)
Military service age and obligation: mandatory military service for men, age 20-41; service can be delayed if in university or in certain professions (researchers, professionals, and athletic, or those with artistic talents have the right to postpone military service until the age of 35); 6-12 months service; women may volunteer (2021)

note 1: in 2019, a new law cut the men’s mandatory military service period in half, as well as making paid military service permanent; with the new system, the period of conscription was reduced from 12 months to six months for privates and non-commissioned soldiers (the service term for reserve officers chosen among university or college graduates remained 12 months); after completing six months of service, if a conscripted soldier wants to and is suitable for extending his military service, he may do so for an additional six months in return for a monthly salary; under the new law, all male Turkish citizens over the age of 20 are required to undergo a one month military training period, but they can obtain an exemption from the remaining five months of their mandatory service by paying 31,000 Turkish Liras

note 2: as of 2019, women made up about .3% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments: approximately 150 (Azerbaijan; monitoring cease-fire, clearing mines); 250 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR); approximately 30,000 Cyprus; estimated 5,000 Iraq; 300 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 110 Lebanon (UNIFIL); estimated 500 Libya; approximately 3,000 Qatar; approximately 200 Somalia (training mission); estimated 5,000-10,000 Syria (2022)

note 1: between 2016 and 2020, Turkey conducted four major military campaigns in northern Syria; Turkey also has deployed troops into northern Iraq on numerous occasions to combat the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), including large operations involving thousands of troops in 2007, 2011, and 2018, and smaller-scale incursions in 2021 and 2022; in October of 2021, Turkey’s parliament extended the military’s mandate to launch cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria by two more years

note 2: in 2020, Turkey deployed hundreds of Turkish troops and as many as 5,000 Syrian fighters to Libya to support the Libyan Government of National Accord
Military - note: Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952 and hosts NATO's Land Forces Command in Izmir, as well as the AN/TPY-2 radar as part of NATO's missile defenses

under a long-range (2033) strategic plan, the Turkish Armed Forces continued efforts to modernize its equipment and force structure; Land Forces sought to produce a 20-30% smaller, more highly trained force characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations

the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; it is planning to launch new frigates, submarines, and a light aircraft carrier/amphibious assault ship in the next few years, adding to its current force of about 16 frigates and 12 submarines; 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 is developing an integrated missile defense system; in a controversial move that complicated its relationship with NATO, it purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system for an estimated $2.5 billion in 2019; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system

in recent years, Turkey has taken on a greater level of international peacekeeping responsibilities, including keeping a substantial force under NATO in Afghanistan until withdrawing in 2021; Turkey also has built expeditionary military bases in Qatar, Somalia, northern Cyprus, and Sudan

the military has a substantial stake in Turkey's economy through a holding company that is involved in the automotive, energy, finance, and logistics sectors, as well as iron and steel production (2022)

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); al-Qa'ida; Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Turkey-Armenia: 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;  in early 2022, the two countries held talks twice aimed at normalizing relations, which could lead to the opening of their land border, shut since 1993; in 2000, Turkish authorities complained to UNESCO that blasting from quarries in Armenia was damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley Turkey-Azerbaijan: none identified Turkey-Bulgaria: none identified Turkrey-Cyprus: status of northern Cyprus question remains Turkey-Georgia: none identified Turkey-Greece: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea, including rights to explore oil and gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean and illegal migrants transiting from Turkey into Greece Turkey-Iran: none identified Turkey-Iraq: Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq Turkey-Syria: Turkey completed building a wall along its border with Syria in 2018 to prevent illegal border crossings and smugglingTurkey-Armenia: 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;  in early 2022, the two countries held talks twice aimed at normalizing relations, which could lead to the opening of their land border, shut since 1993; in 2000, Turkish authorities complained to UNESCO that blasting from quarries in Armenia was damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valleyTurkey-Azerbaijan: none identifiedTurkey-Bulgaria: none identifiedTurkrey-Cyprus: status of northern Cyprus question remainsTurkey-Georgia: none identifiedTurkey-Greece: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea, including rights to explore oil and gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean and illegal migrants transiting from Turkey into GreeceTurkey-Iran: none identifiedTurkey-Iraq: Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in IraqTurkey-Syria: Turkey completed building a wall along its border with Syria in 2018 to prevent illegal border crossings and smuggling
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 3,651,428 (Syria) (2022); 145,000 (Ukraine) (as of 19 May 2022)

IDPs: 1.099 million (displaced from 1984-2005 because of fighting between the Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs are Kurds from eastern and southeastern provinces; no information available on persons displaced by development projects) (2021)

stateless persons: 117 (2018)
Illicit drugs: transit country for heroin, opium, and cocaine trafficked to European markets;  amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are trafficked to Middle East and Southeast Asia markets; one of the major transit routes for opiates smuggled from Afghanistan via Iran destined for Western Europe; smugglers involved in both heroin sales and transport and production and smuggling of synthetic drugs; criminal networks have interests in heroin conversion laboratories operating in Iran near the Turkish border;  hashish imported or grown domestically for local consumptiontransit country for heroin, opium, and cocaine trafficked to European markets;  amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are trafficked to Middle East and Southeast Asia markets; one of the major transit routes for opiates smuggled from Afghanistan via Iran destined for Western Europe; smugglers involved in both heroin sales and transport and production and smuggling of synthetic drugs; criminal networks have interests in heroin conversion laboratories operating in Iran near the Turkish border;  hashish imported or grown domestically for local consumption