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 Turkey Basic Facts

Population: 64,050,000 Capital : Ankara Ethnic groups: Turkish, Kurdish Languages: Turkish, Arabic Religions: Muslim Location: Southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia; 300.948 Sq. miles; highest point: Mt. Ararat 16,854 ft. Monetary unit: Lira Per capita income: $5,486 History: Turkey's position between Europe and Asia has made it a battleground for milleniums. The Hittites were the first recorded inhabitants, migrating to the area from Europe or Asia around 2000 B.C. Other invading groups include Phrygians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Muslims and Christians. In the 14th century, Ottoman Turks began to build the longest standing empire in Turkey's history, which lasted until the 20th century. In 1923, Mustafa Kemal founded the Republic of Turkey after the Ottoman empire collapsed. In 1960 the Republic was overthrown by its own military and a provisional government with a new constitution was set up, opening the door for free elections. The government forces again took over as Turkey battled with Greece in the 1960s and 1970s. The government returned to electoral rule in 1984. In 1993, Turkey elected its first female prime minister. In 1994, the Kurds/Muslims revolted but were driven out of Turkey and into Iraqi refugee camps by Turkish forces. The battle between the two forces continues today along the northern border of Iraq.

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