Is Turkey part of Europe or Asia?

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Lewis M

Turkey (Turkish: TÃ¼rkiye), officially the Republic of Turkey (TÃ¼rkiye Cumhuriyeti (helpÂ·info)), is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in Southwestern Asia and the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe. Turkey borders eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Iran and the Nakhichevan exclave of Azerbaijan to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. In addition, it borders the Black Sea to the north; the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara to the west; and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Turkey is a democratic, secular, constitutional republic whose political system was established in 1923 after the fall of the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of national hero Mustafa Kemal AtatÃ¼rk. It is a founding member of the United Nations,[1] the OIC,[2] the OECD[3] and the OSCE,[4] a member state of the Council of Europe since 1949[5] and of the NATO since 1952,[6] and is currently in accession negotiations with the European Union, being an associate member since 1964.[7].

Due to its strategic location straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey has been a historical crossroad between eastern and western cultures.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Europe_location_TUR2.png/250px-Europe_location_TUR2.png

questioneer

geographically split but mostly in Asia with a toehold remaining in Europe.

Turkey could be said to be European in the same sense that France was African when Algeria was part of metropolitan France or indeed in the way that Spain is African or Russia Asian.

I think it unlikely that we in the EU will eventually accept Turkey as a member state. It is a wonderful country in many ways, I really like it but it is most definitely not European and the difference would only end up making both side miserable.

Both. Half of the city of Istanbul is in Asia, the other half in Europe, split down the middle by the Bosphorus. 10% (give or take) is geographically in Europe, the rest in Asia.

That's the physical answer - the psychological answer is somewhat more challenging.

HOTTÃ¼rk

If you visit only Ä°stanbul, Ankara, Ä°zmir or the coast towns you would think that TÃ¼rkiye is an European country.

If you visit only Sivas, ElazÄ±ÄŸ, Erzincan, Malatya, Kayseri you would think that TÃ¼rkiye is an Asian country.

And if you visit DiyarbakÄ±r, Mardin, ÅžanlÄ±urfa, Hakkari you would think that TÃ¼rkiye is a Middle East country.

All these cities are in TÃ¼rkiye and I love my country with its different traditions, religions and colours.

PANCHO

It is in both. But I also want to comment on qwine's answer that is completely wrong.
#1: Turkey has always given equal right o minorities. In fact if you look at history not only that the Turks have traditionally opened their doors to Jews after the inquisition (as well a many Arab refugees) they have also given religios freedom to allreligions and have respected minorities.
#2: The army is essential in Turkey and does obey the Prime Minister. However it serves a very importan purpose. If the Prime Minister or the cabinet act against the constitution, including if they were to act in a way of threatening secularism in the country the army can step in. This actually is what sets Turkey apart from the rest of the Muslim world and is the sole reaon of Modern Turkey today.
I am half Italian, half Greek, I lived in Turkey for a few years and have visited it several times. Turkey not giving equal rights to minorities is absolutely absurd. Also the reason that Turkey is not in the EU yet is far beyond the stated reason.
#1: European nations are still scared of Turkey due to the history of the Ottomans
#2: Along the same lines they are skeptical about a Muslim country joining the EU, hence thy are the ones that are not giving equal rights to everyone by their position.
#3: Greece is pressuring hard for the issues in Cyprus. I have stated my nationality before but in reality Turkey has tried to come to a mutual agreement for Cyprus but Greece refuses every proposal. Lets face it there are Turks and Greeks on the island and they should all be able to live together and not necessarily under one flag.
#4: France's unnecessary pressure and stand about the so-called "genocide" hasalways been used against Turkey. However Turkey has taken huge steps towards this. They have opened ther historical archives for the whole world and the historians to see. But the Armenians refuse to do so. Hence creating the question maybe the Armenians have something to hide.

I wanted to ad something after seeing questionaire's comment. I am a European (Italian) and I would have no problem adding Turkey on our list in the EU. There are soem countries that are current members and some trying to become that I rather not have as Turkey is much more developed then them.

Thanks,

Humanophage

Whether a country is European or Asian is defined by the traditional character of the dominant ethnicity. In case of Turkey, it is entirely Asian. Take a look at religion, customs, art, attires, history, names, appearance, etc.

The fact that Turkey is secular, relatively careful with civil rights and interested in the European market simply makes it a decent country to live in. One shouldn't equal these characteristics to the European status of a country. There are European states that have problems with these (Russia, Serbia or Belarus), as well as Asian states that sport all the traits (Japan, South Korea or Hong Kong).

Where am I?

It part of both

FKY

as a matter of fact, Europe is a part of Asia. it is not a continent geographically.

TÃ¼rkiye is called Asia Minor.

As cultural, it is a bridge between European culture and Asian culture.

traderiam

The above answer is correct. Turkey is in both (Asia and Europe). If I recall, Istanbul (the city) is actually the area where it is divided. Look at a map and then look for the waterway that splits Istanbul. That's where the Europe/Asia meet.

heyy

It is in the middle of them..It is apart from them two..has different customs,religion.. you can research...

MY Regards to All

Part of Asia but they are trying to europeon union and then may be part of europr

claudia c

mostly in asia, and they are not gonna be in the E.U soon....maybe the year of 2054, and that is if they admit a certain thing ;)

qwine2000

Turkey has to decide what wants to be.European means more Democracy,rights to minorities,the army has to obbay the Prime minister,religious freedom etc

Cyprusguy

Before the Turks came from Asia to invade Byzantium was European. Unfortunately since the Turks came from central Asia its Asian

Ms.Lady

Geographically it is part of Asia. It is going to join the EU as soon as certain issues are resolved, this will make Turkey part of Europe.

Courage

Geographically it is part of Asia. It is going to join the EU as soon as certain issues are resolved, this will make Turkey part of Europe.

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