The main area of Turkey, known as Anatolia, is in Asia while Turkish Thrace, representing about 3% of the nation's total area, is in Europe. At nearly 301,000 square miles (780,000 sq km), Turkey is a little larger than Texas. Its capital is Ankara, and Istanbul is the largest city.

   Turkey is mostly mountainous, with a narrow coastal plain and high central plateau (Anatolia). The country is located in several active seismic zones and is subject to frequent earthquakes.Thrace and the lands bordering the Sea of Marmara is a region of gently rolling hills rising in the east to Mount Ulu (Olympus) at 8,343 feet (2,543 meters). The Aegean and Mediterranean coastlands are narrow and hilly with little arable land, except for a plain in the east where cotton is grown. The steep slopes of the Black Sea coastline rise directly to the Pontic Mountains. The most mountainous area is the eastern highlands. This is where Mount Ararat is located, noted in the Bible as the place where Noah's ark came to rest.

   Over 67 million people live in Turkey. About 69% live in urban areas compared to only 21 % in 1950. Turks form about 80% of the population, while Kurds constitute most of the remaining 20%.

   Turkey is one of the few countries of the world that is self-sufficient in providing basic foods. Nearly half the work force is engaged in farming. The chief crops include wheat, sugar beets, barley, tobacco, olives, cotton, citrus, tomatoes, melons, grapes, maize, livestock, and apples. Fishing also is important, with most of the catch coming from the Mediterranean and Black seas.

   In addition to rich agricultural resources, Turkey has significant deposits of lignite, coal, iron ore, and chromium. Its most important industry and largest export is textiles and clothing. Other major industries include food processing, automobiles, mining, steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, and paper.

   Turkey's principal port on the Black Sea is Istanbul.