Turkey

From the Romans to the Ottomans and beyond, Turkey is one of the most historically, politically, and economically important nations in the world. It straddles eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Architecturally, its capital, Ankara, reflects its varied history with those empires’ buildings standing brick to brick with more modern structures. Ankara holds a great deal of significance for secular Turks—it’s the place where a new era for Turkish citizens started after the Turkish War of Independence and is a symbol for independence, development, and progressive values.