According to eningbo, Turkey in 2012 was a transcontinental country located between Europe and Asia with a total land area of 783,562 km2 and a population of around 80 million people. It is bordered by eight countries: Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; and Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The official language is Turkish although Kurdish is also spoken in some areas. The capital city is Ankara which is home to around 5 million people. Turkey has a long history stretching back thousands of years when it was first inhabited by various cultures including Hittites, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. It achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1923 when it became a republic with an elected president as head of state. The economy of Turkey is largely driven by its services sector which accounts for around 54% of GDP while agriculture, manufacturing and tourism are also important sectors. Major exports include textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, electronics and motor vehicles which are exported to countries such as Germany, United Kingdom and United States. Despite its strong economic performance there are still areas where poverty remains an issue with some estimates suggesting that around 15% of the population lives below the poverty line. The government has made efforts to reduce poverty through initiatives such as job creation schemes but more needs to be done to ensure that all members of society benefit from economic growth and development. Turkey in 2015 is a country of immense diversity and complexity. It is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and is bordered by eight countries. It has a population of over 78 million people, making it the 18th most populous nation in the world. Its economy is the 16th largest in the world, with a GDP of $1 trillion USD. In terms of culture, Turkey is known for its unique blend of eastern and western influences. This can be seen through its cuisine, which includes both traditional dishes such as kebabs and more modern dishes such as pizza or pasta. It also has a vibrant music scene that draws from both European and Middle Eastern influences. The country’s landscape also varies greatly from region to region, ranging from lush green hills to arid deserts. Politically, Turkey has been undergoing a period of transition since 2002 when it elected Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as prime minister. Since then, Erdoğan has sought to consolidate power by increasing his party’s majority in parliament several times over the past decade or so. This has resulted in an increase in authoritarianism that has been met with significant opposition from civil society groups across the country. Despite this tension, Turkey remains an important member of NATO and continues to play an important role in international affairs due to its strategic location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Check computerannals for Turkey in 2003.