Welcome to TURKİYE
Intercultural Report
Geography
Location: Turkey is a transcontinental country,
located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in
Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan
Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. It is bordered
by eight countries: Greece and Bulgaria to the
northwest, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Iraq and Syria
to the south.
Area: Approximately 783,356 square kilometers
(302,455 square miles), making it the 37th largest
country in the world.
Major Cities: The capital city is Ankara, while
Istanbul is the largest city and economic hub.
Other major cities include Izmir, Bursa, Adana, and
Antalya
Weather
• Climate: Turkey experiences a variety of climates. The coastal areas have a
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The interior
regions have a continental climate with more extreme temperature differences
between summer and winter.
Seasons:
Spring (March to May): Mild and
wet.
Summer (June to August): Hot
and dry, especially in the coastal
areas.
Autumn (September to
November): Mild and wet.
Winter (December to February):
Cold, with snow in the interior
and eastern regions.
Currency
• Currency: The official currency is
the Turkish Lira (TRY).
• Symbol: ₺
• Exchange Rate: As of 2024, 1
USD is approximately equal to 19
TRY (this can fluctuate, so check
current rates for the most
accurate information).
Demographics
• Population: As of 2024, Turkey's population is approximately 85
million people.
• Age Structure:
– 0-14 years: 23%
– 15-24 years: 15%
– 25-54 years: 42%
– 55-64 years: 10%
– 65 years and over: 10%
• Median Age: The median age in Turkey is around 32 years.
• Urbanization: About 76% of the population lives in urban areas.
Major cities include Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, and Antalya.
• Population Growth Rate: Approximately 0.6% per year
Society and Family Structure
Family
• Family Importance: The family is a central unit in Turkish society. Family
ties are strong, and there is a significant emphasis on mutual support and
respect among family members.
• Extended Families: Traditionally, Turkish families have been extended,
with multiple generations living under one roof or in close proximity.
However, the trend is shifting towards nuclear families, especially in urban
areas.
Marriage
• Marriage Rate: Marriage is a significant social institution, and most adults
marry. The average age at first marriage is rising, with many women
marrying in their mid-20s and men in their late 20s.
• Divorce Rate: Divorce rates have been increasing, reflecting changes in
social attitudes and the legal system's support for women's rights.
Religion
• Religious Affiliation: The vast majority of Turks are Muslim
(about 99%), predominantly Sunni. There are also small
communities of Alevis, Christians, Jews, and other religious
groups.
• Secularism: Despite the predominance of Islam, Turkey is a
secular state with a separation of religion and state affairs.
Education
• Literacy Rate: The literacy rate is about 97%
for men and 93% for women.
• Education System: Compulsory education
lasts for 12 years, typically from ages 6 to 18.
Higher education is becoming increasingly
popular, with numerous universities and
vocational schools.
Migration
• Internal Migration: There is significant internal
migration from rural to urban areas, driven by
better job opportunities and living conditions in
cities.
• International Migration: Turkey hosts a large
number of refugees and migrants, particularly
from neighboring conflict zones like Syria. It also
experiences emigration, especially to Europe and
North America, for economic and educational
opportunities.
Turkish Language
• Official Language: Turkish is the official language of Turkey and is spoken by
the vast majority of the population as their first language.
• Alphabet: Turkish uses a Latin-based alphabet, which was adopted in 1928 as
part of Atatürk's language reforms. The Turkish alphabet consists of 29
letters: A, B, C, Ç, D, E, F, G, Ğ, H, I, İ, J, K, L, M, N, O, Ö, P, R, S, Ş, T, U, Ü, V, Y, Z.
• Grammar and Structure: Turkish is an agglutinative language, meaning it
uses suffixes to convey grammatical relationships and meanings. It has vowel
harmony and a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order.
• Usage
• Education: Turkish is the language of instruction in schools and universities.
• Media: Most media, including newspapers, television, and radio, operate in
Turkish.
• Government and Public Life: All government business and official documents
are conducted in Turkish.
Official National Holidays
• New Year's Day (Yılbaşı)
– Date: January 1
– Description: Celebrates the beginning of the new year with festivities, parties, and
fireworks.
• National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı)
– Date: April 23
– Description: Commemorates the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
in 1920. It is also dedicated to children, with various activities and events held across the
country to celebrate the youth.
• Labor and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü)
– Date: May 1
– Description: International Workers' Day is celebrated with demonstrations, marches, and
events highlighting workers' rights and solidarity.
• Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve
Spor Bayramı)
– Date: May 19
– Description: Marks the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence in 1919, led by
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It is also a day to celebrate youth and sports with various athletic
events and activities.
• Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Milli Birlik Günü)
– Date: July 15
– Description: Commemorates the thwarted coup attempt of July 15, 2016, with events honoring
democracy and national unity.
• Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı)
– Date: August 30
– Description: Celebrates the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar in 1922, which was a decisive battle in
the Turkish War of Independence. Military parades and ceremonies are held.
• Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı)
– Date: October 29
– Description: Marks the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Celebrations include parades,
concerts, and official ceremonies.
Religious Holidays:
• The dates of religious holidays in Turkey are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, so they
vary each year:
• Ramadan Feast (Eid al-Fitr) (Ramazan Bayramı or Şeker Bayramı)
– Date: Celebrated at the end of Ramadan, the exact date changes each year.
– Description: A three-day holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It involves prayers,
feasting, and visiting family and friends.
• Sacrifice Feast (Eid al-Adha) (Kurban Bayramı)
– Date: Approximately 70 days after Ramadan Feast, the exact date changes each year.
– Description: A four-day holiday commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his
son as an act of obedience to God. It involves the ritual sacrifice of animals, feasting, and charity.
Co-cultural Differences
Cultural Heritage:
– Historical Influences: Turkey has a rich cultural heritage
influenced by various civilizations including the Hittites,
Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
– Islamic Influence: Predominantly Muslim, with a
significant impact of Islam on daily life, customs, and
holidays.
– Language: The official language is Turkish.
– Cuisine: Turkish cuisine is diverse, featuring dishes like
kebabs, mezes, baklava, and a strong tea and coffee
culture.
General Social Etiquette
• Greetings:
– Common Greetings: A common greeting is “Merhaba” (Hello). For a more formal greeting, use “Günaydın”
(Good morning), “İyi günler” (Good day), or “İyi akşamlar” (Good evening).
– Physical Greetings: Handshakes are common in professional settings. Among friends and family, kissing on
both cheeks is customary.
– Respectful Address: Use “Bey” (Mr.) or “Hanım” (Mrs./Ms.) after the first name to show respect.
• Hospitality:
– Invitations: If invited to a Turkish home, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as sweets or flowers.
Avoid giving alcohol unless you are sure the host drinks.
– Shoes: It is common to remove shoes when entering a home. Guests are often provided with slippers.
– Dining: Turkish hospitality is generous. Accepting food and drink offered by the host is polite.
Complimenting the food is appreciated.
• Social Behavior:
– Public Conduct: Maintain a moderate tone of voice in public. Loud or aggressive behavior is frowned upon.
– Respect: Show respect to elders and authority figures. Standing up when an older person enters the room
is a sign of respect.
– Body Language: Avoid showing the soles of your feet, pointing at people, or using overly expressive hand
gestures, which may be considered rude.
Dining Etiquette
• Meal Structure:
– Meals: Meals are often a social event. Breakfast (kahvaltı) is a
significant meal, while dinner can be quite elaborate.
– Tea and Coffee: Tea (çay) and Turkish coffee (Türk kahvesi) are integral
parts of social interaction. It is polite to accept these when offered.
• At the Table:
– Seating: Wait to be shown your seat. The host usually indicates where
guests should sit.
– Serving: It is common for dishes to be shared. Wait for the host to
start before beginning to eat.
– Utensils: Use utensils appropriately, as in Western dining, but be
mindful of specific customs, such as breaking bread with your hands.
Professional and Business Etiquette
• Meetings:
– Punctuality: Arriving on time for business meetings is
important, though there is some flexibility.
– Business Cards: Exchange business cards upon meeting.
Present and receive cards with both hands as a sign of
respect.
• Dress Code:
– Formal Attire: Business attire is generally conservative. Suits
and ties for men, and professional dresses or suits for
women.
– Modesty: In more conservative areas or settings, dressing
modestly is advisable, especially for women.
Religious and Cultural Sensitivity
• Mosques:
– Respect: When visiting a mosque, dress modestly.
Women should cover their heads, and everyone should
remove their shoes.
– Behavior: Be quiet and respectful. Avoid visiting during
prayer times unless you are there to pray.
• Ramadan:
– Fasting Month: During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Be considerate of this by not eating, drinking, or smoking in public
during fasting hours.
– Iftar: The evening meal that breaks the fast, called iftar, is a
significant social event. If invited, it is polite to attend.
Communication
• Language:
– Basic Turkish: Learning a few basic phrases in Turkish is appreciated and shows respect.
– Directness: Turks may speak directly, but always with politeness and respect. Avoid confrontational
or aggressive language.
• Non-Verbal Cues:
– Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact to show sincerity and interest, but avoid staring.
– Gestures: Be mindful of gestures. For example, the “OK” sign made with the thumb and forefinger
can be considered rude.
Gifts and Celebrations
• Gift Giving:
– Appropriate Gifts: Sweets, pastries, and flowers are common gifts. Avoid giving alcohol unless you
are sure it is appropriate.
– Presentation: Gifts are usually opened immediately in front of the giver.
• Celebrations:
– Festivals: Participate respectfully in local festivals and customs. During religious holidays like Eid,
showing respect and understanding of their significance is important.
GOUVERMENT
Turkey operates under a presidential system of government. This system was
established after a constitutional referendum in 2017, transitioning from a
parliamentary system to a presidential one. The government is divided into three
main branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
President:
– Role: The President is the head of state and head of government, holding extensive
executive powers.
– Current President: As of the last update in 2023, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds the office.
– Powers: The President can issue executive decrees, appoint senior officials and judges,
veto legislation, and call for referendums and elections. The President also chairs the
National Security Council.
– Election and Term: The President is directly elected by the public for a five-year term
and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
– Vice Presidents: The President appoints one or more Vice Presidents.
Current News in Turkiye
• May Day Protests: Turkish police arrested hundreds of protesters during May Day
demonstrations in Istanbul. The government had banned protests in Taksim
Square, deploying over 40,000 police officers across the city to enforce the ban(
Al Jazeera).
• Istanbul Airport Incident: A Boeing 767 cargo plane landed at Istanbul Airport
without its front landing gear, prompting an investigation by Turkish authorities(
Al Jazeera).
• Local Developments: In local news, authorities in Istanbul have been clearing
caravans from the city's coastline following complaints from residents.
Additionally, the popular Eastern Express train route remains highly in demand(
Hürriyet Daily News).
• Political Landscape: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently won a highly
contested election, demonstrating his enduring political influence despite
significant economic challenges and a seemingly united opposition. The elections
revealed a divided electorate, with major support for Erdoğan in rural areas and
the opposition in urban centers
Turkiye Hofsede
According to Hofstede's national culture model
(Hofstede, 2011), it can be said that Turkey has
high power distance, a low tolerance of
uncertainty, a collectivist structure, somewhat
feminine attributes, and relatively long-term
oriented focus and indulgence (Insights, 2020)
