About Turkey

               Turkey, a country of strategic importance in the world due to its geopolitical location, is on the intersection point of Asia, Europe and Africa continents, which are referred to as the “Lands of the Old World". This country, with the generous divine gifts of all sorts of scenic wonders, is a unique bridge between Eastern and Western civilizations as well as for inter-faith dialogue.  

                Turkey is linked to the oceans through the Black Sea, Marmara and Mediterranean seas, which encircle it on three sides. It is like a neighbor to the entire world and has been the epicenter of major trade and migration routes throughout history. The Black Sea is linked to the world via the Straits and momentous shipping routes pass through the Marmara, an interior sea. The country shares borders with Georgia, Armenia, Nakhichevan and Iran to the east, Bulgaria and Greece to the west, and Iraq and Syria to the south. Turkey, a founding member of the United Nations Organization and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, is also a NATO member and is undergoing a process of joining the EU. 

Turkey, a rectangular shaped country, has a surface area of 814,578 square kilometers. It is the possessor of vaster acreage in comparison to all of its neighbors except Iran, and all European countries except the Russian Federation. The land segment on the European continent with 3% of its total area is called Thrace, and the remaining 97% landmass in Asia is called Anatolia. 

                The Republic, regarded as the reform of paramount importance, was proclaimed on October 29, 1923. The leader of the national struggle against the then occupiers, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was unanimously elected as the first president of Turkey. 

                According to the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, Turkey is a republic, and at the same time it is a democratic, secular, and social state governed by the rule of law respecting human rights and committed to Atatürk's principles and nationalism. These are the fundamental characteristics of the Republic. The type of democracy envisaged by the Constitution is a representative democracy.  

                The Constitution is based upon a pattern of a “unitary state”. The Turkish State is an indivisible whole, with its country and nation. The legal order of the Republic of Turkey is secured by executive procedures such as laws, regulations, statutes and decrees, with the Constitution being first and foremost. The executive branch also contributes to the securing of this order through its regulatory procedures such as general written notices, circulars, and budgeting instructions. The regulatory procedures of the executive and the administrative branch are of general characteristics and embrace all the organizations of the State. These procedures can possibly be related to specific subjects, institutions, local administrations and private institutions.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has always been supportive towards the Turkish National Police in its fight against the crime and criminals. The first conference in 2005 and his continuing support during the establishment and ongoing functions of Turkish Institute for Police Studies (TIPS) in the USA were good examples to these supports and have been very helpful in improving the academic perspective against all kinds of crimes.

During UNESCO's 16th General Conference held in Paris, France between 17 October - 21 November, 1972, a very crucial resolution on November 16, 1972 was passed, “World Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Convention”. Some of the major aims of this convention were not only to be able to protect the sites that possess universal values which makes them collective heritage of humankind, but also to create a constructive consciousness that will enable us to value those cultural heritage. Also, this convention boosted an international cooperation to restore the historical sites to their original versions as possible as could be. Turkey signed this Convention on May 23, 1983 and became an active and participating party ever since.  

                As of the end of 2000, all around the world there were 690 either cultural or natural artifacts on the World Heritage List. Of all of these artifacts, 530 of them were cultural/historical sites, 137 of them were natural sites, and 23 of them were listed as mixed sites (cultural/natural). Each year the World Heritage Committee convenes and increases the number of the World Heritage List. 

                Due to the efforts of Turkish General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Protection, as of today nine artifacts located in Turkey were added in the World Heritage List.  

                These artifacts are as follows: Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi, Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hattusha: the Hittite Capital, Nemrut Dag, Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Xanthos-Letoon, City of Safranbolu, Archaeological Site of Troy.

ANKARA ANITKABIR 

                The Anitkabir is the eternal resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of  The Turkish Republic. It was constructed between 1944 and 1953. The Anitkabir includes a path flanked by lion statues, a ceremonial square, and the mausoleum itself. It also includes the grave of the second president of the Turkish Republic, İsmet İnönü.  

                There is a museum housing a superior wax statue of Atatürk; writings, letters, and items belonging to him.

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