In this article, we will start our examination by asking: is Turkey in the middle east? Turkey is a puzzling country given the fact that it rests in the center of Europe and Asia, and this has garnered much debate on what region Turkey actually belongs to.
Many people seem to associate Turkey with the Middle East, but the true history, geography and culture of the country is much more complex than that.
Overview
Turkey baffles many historians, geographers, and travelers due to its peculiar nature. One of the many issues people are concerned with is whether or not Turkey is in the Middle East. Turkey’s unique culture and geography makes it hard to answer those questions.
Geographical Location
The country of Turkey takes a central position to both Europe and Asia. Approximately 97% of the nation is situated in Asia while 3% of the country is situated in Europe, separated by the Bosporus Strait.
This unique feature of the country makes Turkey somewhat hard to narrowly define as a country in the middle east.
Relation to the Middle East
Turkey shares a border with middle eastern region countries such as Syria, Iraq and Iran. The borders that Turkey shares with these countries means that Turkey has very old historical, cultural and political relations with the middle eastern countries.
Due to the deep historical, cultural and political relations between the countries, Turkey is very often depicted alongside the Middle East in maps and global discussions.
European Connection
The city of Istanbul, previously known as Constantinople, has served as a significant European cultural and economic hub for many centuries and Turkey shares a strong european connection as well.
Turkey is a member of NATO and has tried to join the European Union which showcases the European desire of the country.
Historical Context
For over six centuries, the Ottoman Empire controlled much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeastern Europe with its capital based in Istanbul.
This imperial past places Turkey at the center of Middle Eastern affairs. However, when the Turkish Republic was declared in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkey embarked on a secular and westernizing course.
Cultural Identity
As its eastern neighbor, and its westerners such as the Austrians and the French, Turkey maintains a dualistic cultural identity.
Its population is predominantly Muslim, which associates the country with Islamic civilization in the Middle East. But by also possessing a unique cuisine, music, literature, and art, Turkey is also Mediterranean and European.
Political Positioning
Contemporary Turkey is an advocate of ‘world peace’, which means the country is engaged in a form of diplomatic balancing. Turkey is a neighbor to the Middle East and remains a regional conflict, as well as a western ally.
Turkey’s foreign policy indicates a dualistic approach, evident in its membership in western organizations and its active involvement in Middle Eastern matters. Turkey, is in turn, a bridge between the two worlds.
Global Perception
Abroad, Turkey is placed in the Middle East part of the world due to the religion, the bordering countries, and Turkey’s involvement in the specific politics of the region.
However, if Turkey participates in European events and organizations, it is regarded to be part of Europe. This overlapping perception of Turkey is yet another angle to the debate.
Academic View
From the perspective of geographers and political scientists, Turkey is classified as a “transcontinental” country.
This classification is important because it shows that Turkey is not just exclusively Middle East in the world, but also Europe. This is the same way Russia is regarded in the world, where it is claimed to be both Europe and Asia.
Tourism and Popular Image
To tourists, Turkey provides a sensation of a mix of regions. The Istanbul’s ever-bustling bazaars resembles to the ones in either Cairo or Damascus, while the modern Mediterranean coastal resorts are more aligned with Greece and Italy.
A lot of tourists come to the same conclusion, which is that Turkey is neither Middle East or fully Europe.
The Current Stance
So, is Turkey in the Middle East? Answering this depends on how the question is framed. The country is much more than the central east. It politically, as well as historically, is bound to Europe.
Therefore, it serves as a bridge country. It fulfills two geographic dimensions at once and possesses multiple conflicting identities.
Why do some people say Turkey is in the Middle East?
Turkey is frequently associated with the Middle East for a number of reasons. To start, it has a majority Muslim population which culturally and religiously ties it to several Middle Eastern countries.
Second, Ottoman history forever bonds the region politically and culturally to the former Empire. Then, the geography of the region—Turkey borders Syria, Iraq and Iran—only deepens the association.
These reasons together explain the reason for Turkey being pigeon-holed within the Middle East region.
Conclusion
The astounding part is, Turkey is capable of connecting and integrating multiple regions in its identity. Most of its geography, history, and culture, intertwine Europe and the Middle East at the same time.
It is more productive to recognize the country’s transcontinental identity, as opposed to putting it in a box. This is the role Turkey is meant to play in the contemporary world.
FAQ
Is Turkey considered part of the Middle East?
Turkey is often associated with the Middle East because of its borders with Syria, Iraq, and Iran, but it is more accurately described as a transcontinental country connecting Europe and Asia.
Is Turkey in Europe or Asia?
Turkey is in both. About 97% of its land is in Asia (Anatolia), while 3% lies in Europe (Thrace, including part of Istanbul).
Does Turkey identify itself as a Middle Eastern country?
Not fully. Modern Turkey positions itself as both Western and Eastern, with strong cultural ties to the Middle East but also close political and economic ties to Europe.
Is Istanbul in the Middle East?
Istanbul sits in both Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosphorus Strait. Many consider it a European city, but it also has Middle Eastern cultural influences.
What organizations show Turkey’s alignment with the West?
Turkey is a member of NATO and has sought membership in the European Union, highlighting its European and Western connections.