The vast majority of Turkey’s territory is in Asia, but a small part of it is in Europe. Most of Turkey consist of the region known as Anatolia, or Asia Minor. However, a small portion of Turkey is located in the southeast corner of the Balkan Peninsula in an area known as Thrace. This is where you will find part of Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul. It’s interesting to note, though, that the Turkish people’s ancestors originated far farther away in East Asia than in their current homeland. Nevertheless, Turkey has long played a part in European history. During the height of the Ottoman Empire, in fact, Turkish territory extended far into Europe, all the way to the outskirts of Vienna, the capital of Austria. Although Turkey now occupies just a sliver of Europe today, Turkish influence is still visible on the continent. In addition, Turkey has assimilated numerous European cultural aspects and allied itself politically and economically with the West.
Turkey a fascinating blend of East and West, straddles two continents: Europe and Asia. While the vast majority of its territory (97%) lies in Asia a small portion (3%) extends into Europe, known as East Thrace or European Turkey. This unique geographical position has shaped Turkey’s history, culture, and identity, making it a crossroads of civilizations.
East Thrace: A European Enclave
East Thrace, encompassing the provinces of Edirne, Tekirdağ, and Kırklareli, as well as parts of Çanakkale and Istanbul, constitutes the European part of Turkey It accounts for 3.03% of Turkey’s land area and is home to 15% of its population. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, straddles the Bosporus, connecting Europe and Asia
Historical Significance
East Thrace has witnessed pivotal moments in history serving as a strategic land bridge between Europe and Asia. The region played a crucial role in the Ottoman Empire, serving as its second capital after Bursa. The Gallipoli Campaign, a major battle of World War I, was fought on the Gallipoli peninsula in East Thrace.
Cultural Tapestry
East Thrace reflects a blend of European and Asian influences. Its diverse population includes Turks, Greeks, Bulgarians, and Armenians, each contributing to the region’s rich cultural heritage. The region boasts historical landmarks like the Selimiye Mosque, the Edirne Palace, and the Grand Synagogue of Edirne, showcasing the architectural styles of different eras and cultures.
Economic Hub
East Thrace is a significant economic center for Turkey. Istanbul, with its bustling port and thriving industries, serves as the country’s financial and commercial hub. The region is also home to numerous agricultural and industrial activities, contributing to Turkey’s economic growth.
Turkey’s position as a transcontinental nation, with East Thrace as its European foothold, has played a pivotal role in shaping its identity. This unique geographical location has influenced its history, culture, and economy, making Turkey a fascinating blend of East and West.
The Asian Origins Of The Turks
Seljuk Empire Monuments in Ahlat/Turkey.
Although the Republic of Turkey is the current homeland of the Turks, it was not always so. The Turkish people actually originated much farther east in East Asia, namely in the Altai Mountains of what is now western Mongolia, and not at all in Europe. They began migrating west in the second half of the first millennium CE. By the eleventh century, the Greeks inhabited most of Anatolia, and the Turks had advanced to its borders. In 1037, Turkic tribes formed the Seljuk Empire, which would go on to conquer Anatolia. Large numbers of Turks then began streaming into Anatolia. Following a protracted period of “Turkification,” the majority of people in Anatolia embraced Islam, Turkish culture, and language. Eventually, what is now Turkey became the largest bastion of Turkic-speaking people in the world.
The Territory Of Turkey
Map showing the location of Turkey, a transcontinental country extending from Europe to Asia.
As was already mentioned, the great majority of Turkey’s land is on the Asian continent in the Anatolia region, also known as Asia Minor at times. Most of Turkey’s population of roughly 85 million lives in Anatolia. Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan border the Anatolian portion of Turkey from the northeast; Iran borders it from the east; Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean Sea border it from the south; the Black Sea borders it from the north; and the Aegean Sea and Greece border it from the west. Turkey’s capital, Ankara, which is a city of more than 3. 5 million people, is located in the west-central part of Anatolia. Almost all of Turkey’s major cities are also located in Anatolia. All of Turkey’s cities with a population of one million or more are actually found in Anatolia, with the exception of a small portion of Istanbul, the country’s largest city.
Bosphorus Strait separates European part of Turkey from Anatolia.
A portion of Istanbul is situated in Thrace, which is the southeast of Turkey’s tiny European foothold and includes northeastern Greece, southeast Bulgaria, and the European portion of Turkey. The European portion of Turkey and Anatolia are divided by the strategically important Bosporus Strait, which borders Turkey’s portion of Thrace to the north, Bulgaria to the northeast, the Black Sea to the south, the Sea of Marmara to the west, and Greece to the east. It’s interesting to note that, despite having a portion located in Anatolia and thus falling under Asia, Istanbul is thought to be the most populous city in Europe, home to over 15 million people.
Is Turkey in Europe or Asia | Turkey is Asia or Europe
FAQ
Is the majority of Turkey in Europe?
Can Turkey be considered part of Europe?
What is the European portion of Turkey?
Is Turkey now part of Europe?
Does Turkey have a border between Europe and Asia?
Turkey bridges Southeastern Europe and Western Asia. Asian Turkey, which includes 97% of the country’s territory, is separated from European Turkey by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles. European Turkey comprises 3% of the country’s territory.
What type of terrain does Turkey have?
Turkey has a diverse terrain: the plains of Anatolia, and forests of the Black Sea, semi-arid lands, natural lakes and the coastlines of the Aegean and Mediterranean. The Anatolian plain is separated from the Black Sea by the Pontic mountains, converging with the Taurus mountains in the Northeast of the country where Mount Ararat is located.
Does Turkey have a Jewish population?
Turkey has a small Jewish population; with around 26,000 Jews, the vast majority of whom are Sephardi. Turkey has the largest Jewish community among the Muslim-majority countries. In a mid-2010s poll, 2.9% of Turkish respondents identified as atheists.
What are the major geological features of Turkey?
The Tigras, Kizilirmak, Sakarya, and Euphrates are the most significant rivers, and Lake Van is the largest lake. As a geological point-of-interest, the country is positioned on one of the planet’s major fault lines, and earthquakes are rather common. Turkey is divided into 81 provinces (iller, singular – ili) for the sake of proper administration.