History of Türkiye and origin of the name
What is the former name of Türkiye?
Turkey was once known as the Ottoman Empire, which was founded in the late 13th century and flourished until the early 20th century. Before Islam, it was known by different names depending on the tribes and kingdoms present in Anatolia, such as Hittites, Lydians, and Phrygians. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, the modern Turkish Republic was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
When did Islam enter Türkiye?
Islam entered Turkey in the seventh century AD through the Islamic conquests that began during the reign of Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab. During the Seljuk period, Islam spread further in Anatolia. With the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fourteenth century, Islam became the official religion and spread greatly throughout the region.
What was Türkiye called before Islam?
Before Islam, the region was known as Anatolia and was home to many ancient civilizations such as the Hittites, Lydians, Phrygians, and Greeks. The Byzantine Empire controlled much of Anatolia before Islamic expansion began in the 7th century.
Who was the first to conquer Türkiye?
The first to significantly conquer Anatolia were the Seljuks after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, led by Sultan Alp Arslan. But the main Islamic conquest began with the Arab conquests in the seventh century AD.
Where did the name Türkiye come from?
The name Türkiye is derived from the word "Turk" which means strong or brave in the ancient Turkish language. The name began to be used to refer to areas controlled by Turkish tribes in the Middle Ages.
What does the word Türkiye mean in Arabic?
The word Turkey means "Land of the Turks", where "Turk" refers to the Turkish people and "Ya" means land or homeland.
Geography and population
Is Türkiye a European or Asian country?
Türkiye is a country located on both the continents of Europe and Asia. The largest part of Türkiye is located in Asia and is known as Anatolia, while the smaller part is located in Europe and is known as Thrace. The Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits separate the European and Asian parts. This distinctive geography makes Türkiye a bridge between East and West.
What is the population of Türkiye in 2024?
Turkey's population is expected to reach approximately 86 million in 2024. These estimates are based on current population growth rates and previous statistics. Population growth in Türkiye is steadily increasing as a result of high birth rates and immigration.
What is the number of Muslims in Türkiye in 2024?
The number of Muslims in Turkey makes up about 99% of the population, which means about 85 million Muslims in 2024. Islam is the main religion in the country and is followed by the majority of the population, with a small minority of Christians, Jews, and followers of other faiths.
How many girls are there in Türkiye?
Women make up about 50% of Turkey's population, or about 43 million people in 2024. This percentage is approximate and reflects the gender balance in Turkish society.
How many foreigners reside in Türkiye?
The number of foreigners residing in Turkey is about 5 million, including refugees and immigrants from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, in addition to expatriates from Western countries who live and work in Turkey.
How many Arabs are there in Türkiye?
The number of Arabs in Türkiye is estimated at about 2 million. These Arabs are mainly located in the southern and eastern regions of the country, especially in the cities near the Syrian border.
How many Syrians are in Türkiye?
The number of Syrians residing in Türkiye is about 3.7 million, according to the latest statistics. These Syrians are mostly refugees who have fled conflict in their country since 2011.
What is the origin of the population of Türkiye?
The origin of Turkey's population goes back to various Turkish ethnicities and tribes, in addition to the influence of ancient civilizations that inhabited Anatolia, such as the Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, and Romans. Turkic tribes migrated from Central Asia to Anatolia during the Middle Ages and became the ruling dynasty in the region after the Islamic conquests.
Politics and religion
Is Türkiye a secular or Islamic country?
Türkiye is a secular state under the constitution established in 1923 at the founding of the modern Turkish Republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The secular system separates religion and state, but the Islamic religion plays a large role in Turkish culture and traditions. The current government, led by the Justice and Development Party, adopts somewhat conservative policies that promote Islamic values.
What is the main religion in Türkiye?
The main religion in Türkiye is Islam. The vast majority of the population are Muslims, most of whom belong to the Sunni sect. In addition, there is a small minority of Christians, Jews, and other religions.
What is the prevailing religion in Türkiye?
The dominant sect in Türkiye is Sunni, as Sunnis constitute the vast majority of Muslims in the country. There is also a large minority of Alawites, who follow a sect considered close to Shiism, as well as other minorities such as Jaafari Shiism.
How many Shiites are there in Türkiye?
The number of Shiites in Türkiye is estimated at about 20 million, including Alevis, who constitute a large percentage of the Shiite population.
What is the religion of the President of Türkiye?
The religion of the President of Türkiye is Islam. All presidents of Türkiye since the founding of the republic have been Muslims.
What was the religion of the Turks before Islam?
The Turks practiced shamanic and Tengiri religions before the introduction of Islam. These religions included the worship of nature and spirits.
Culture and language
What language do Turks speak?
The official language in Türkiye is Turkish. The Turkish language belongs to the Altaic language family and has been written in the Latin alphabet since the reforms carried out by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1928.
Did the Turks speak Arabic?
The Turks did not speak Arabic as a mother tongue, but the Arabic language was used in religious and scientific matters during the Islamic periods, especially in the Ottoman era. The Ottoman language, which was a mixture of Turkish, Persian, and Arabic, was the official language of the Ottoman Empire.
Political history
How many years did Türkiye rule the world?
Turkey, under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, ruled large parts of the world for nearly 600 years, from the late 13th century until the early 20th century. The Ottoman Empire controlled vast territories including parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
How many times has Türkiye been occupied?
Türkiye was not completely occupied several times, but it witnessed attacks and partial occupations. The most prominent of these periods was the French and British occupation of Istanbul after World War I, and the period following World War II when it was under international protection.
Who defeated the Turks?
One of the most notable historical defeats was the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, which led to its disintegration. After this defeat, the Turks faced great challenges but were able to establish the modern Turkish Republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Who drove the Turks out of Saudi Arabia?
The Turks (Ottomans) left Saudi Arabia after the Great Arab Revolt led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali during World War I, where the Arab forces, with the help of the British, were able to expel the Ottomans from the Arabian Peninsula.
National events
What is the occasion of April 23 in Türkiye?
National Sovereignty and Children's Day is celebrated in Turkey on April 23, which commemorates the founding of the Grand National Assembly in 1920. This day is also considered Children's Day, and many activities and celebrations are held involving children from all over the country.
What does August 30 mean in Türkiye?
August 30 is Victory Day in Turkey, which commemorates the victory of Turkish forces led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the Battle of Dumlupinar in 1922, which was the decisive battle of the Turkish War of Independence. This day is celebrated throughout the country as a symbol of the victory of the Turks over the occupying forces and the establishment of the Turkish Republic.
International Relations
Does Türkiye support Palestine or Israel?
Türkiye supports the Palestinian cause in general and criticizes Israeli policies towards the Palestinians. Despite this, Turkey maintains diplomatic and trade relations with Israel, but these relations have witnessed tension in some periods due to political differences.
Is Türkiye an ally of Russia?
Türkiye and Russia have complex relations that range from cooperation to conflict. In recent years, relations between the two countries have witnessed a noticeable rapprochement in many fields, such as energy, defense, and tourism, despite differences in some regional issues such as the Syrian crisis.
Is Türkiye a member of the European Union?
Türkiye is not a member of the European Union, but has long been a candidate to join. Accession negotiations began in 2005, but face numerous obstacles due to political, economic and human rights issues.
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