Türkiye
Republic of Türkiye Southeastern Europe / Southwestern Asia AREA 303K mi²; 784K km² ARABLE 26% POP 86M (284/mi²; 110/km²) GOV’T Unitary presidential republic CAPITAL Ankara (5.8M) GDP/CAPITA $15,893 UNEMPLOYMENT 8% IN POVERTY 14% % WEALTH HELD BY TOP 10% 67% LIFE EXP 77 years MEDIAN AGE 35 yrs INFANT MORT 9/1K live births LITERACY 97% INTERNET USERS 90% LANGUAGES Turkish (official), Kurdish, 70 other minority languages RELIGIONS Muslim 99% (mostly Sunni), other (mostly Christian and Jewish) 1% HEALTH 5% of GDP EDUCATION 3% of GDP MILITARY 2% of GDP GDP BY SECTOR Agriculture 6%, industry 32%, services 55% PCVs 1962–1972 CURRENT: 0, TTD: 1,460 |  Türkiye Istanbul’s streets are vibrant and layered: historic mosques and churches reflect a city at the crossroads of religious and cultural influences, bridging east and west. In the trendy Taksim neighborhood, bustling businesses, colorful storefronts, and lively restaurants are frequented by shoppers, tourists, and students. Lively conversations fill the air as groups of young people sporting fashionable, designer-inspired blue jeans drift by, celebrating contemporary life in this historic city. |
Adult Books
The Museum of Innocence
By Orhan Pamuk, Translator Maureen Freely
Genre: Novel
Publisher: Vintage, 2010 (Reprint)
Language: English
Print length: 531 pages
ISBN-10: 0307386244
ISBN-13: 978-0307386243
Goodreads Ratings: 3.8/5 | Amazon Ratings: 4.1/5
Summary:
Set in 1970s and 80s Istanbul, this novel follows Kemal, a wealthy man who falls in love with his distant cousin Fusûn despite being engaged to Sibel. The narrative explores themes of identity, female autonomy, and nostalgia. Kemal becomes obsessed with Fusûn and ultimately transforms her house into a museum of their shared past.
“A mesmerizing meditation on love and loss… Pamuk at his very best.” —Carla Baricz, Words Without Borders
Pamuk is a Nobel Prize winner.
Kids' Books
A Donkey Reads
By Muriel Mandell, illustrated by André Letria
Publisher: Cambridge, MA: Star Bright Books, 2011
Format: 18 pgs.
ISBN-10: 1595722556
ISBN-13: 978-1-59572-255-3
Age Range: 5–8 yrs.
Summary:
A lushly illustrated, fanciful adaptation of a Turkish fable tells the tale of a poor villager named Mustafo, who must give tribute to his tyrannical Mongol ruler. When Mustafo presents his old donkey, his only possession, Nasreddin Hoca, the wiseman, devises a plan to save him—and manages to prove that the donkey reads.
Films
Film: Chokehold (Boğa Boğa)
Director: Onur Saylak
Genre: Drama
Release Date: 2023
Language: Turkish
Run Time: 112 minutes
Synopsis: Evading a scandal, a couple from Istanbul settle in a village in the Aegean region. They quickly realize they have many enemies there, and when a man attacks the husband, his true identity is revealed, resulting in a dangerous battle with the villagers.
Reviews: “It’s rare for a film with such a despicable protagonist to be as compelling as this one.” —Lori Meek, Ready Steady Cut
“Ambitious enough to inspire our fascination for nearly two hours.” —John Serba, Decider
Available: Netflix. Note: be aware there are other (non-Turkish) films with a similar English name.
Music
BLOK3: Salla Salla
