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The country of Turkey has an important location as it connects the Asian with the European continent. The greater part of the country (approximately 97 %) belongs to Asia and is called Asia Minor or Anatolian peninsula but there is also a small region within Europe. Turkey covers an area of over 780.000 square kilometer – inclusive lakes and rivers.
In 2006 there were about 70.414.000 people living in Turkey. 99.8 % of them are Muslim and just 0.2 % belong to other religions. The Muslims in Turkey are separated into the Turkish (80 %) and the Kurdish (20 %).
Ankara is the capital and located in the heart of Turkey. It is the second largest city in the country, after Istanbul which can be found in the north west. Central Anatolia, Southeast Anatolia, East Anatolia, the Aegean, the Marmara, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea Region are the seven regions in which Turkey can be divided. In the centre there is a high plateau on which a harsh climate dominates with long and cold winters and short summers. More popular with travellers are the southern and western regions of the country. The east is famous for its mountain ranges, lakes and rivers. The Mount Ararat – with 5.137 metres the highest point in Turkey – can also be found here.
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