This book discusses Turkey’s history as part of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, the influence of leaders from Sultan Süleyman I to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the importance of Islam, the nation’s language reforms, its desire to join the European Union, and its current democratic government, parliament, and court systems. Turkish food, housing, education, family life, clothing, public transportation, communication options, shipping ports, economy, agriculture, trading partners, tourism, climate, geography, and major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are also highlighted. This book introduces Turkey’s location in both Asia and Europe on the Black, Mediterranean, and Aegean Seas, as well as its culture, theater, folk music, dance, literature, arts such as woven carpets and Iznik tiles, architecture such as the Hagia Sophia, holidays such as Ramadan, and popular sports such as soccer. In addition, bold glossary terms, phonetic spellings, a fast facts page, a graphic timeline, a recipe, an index, maps, and full-color photos accompany this easy-to-read text.