Political Profile: Turkey
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Red with a vertical white crescent moon (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white
five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely
resemble those on the banner of Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey; the crescent
moon and star serve as insignia for the Turks, as well as being traditional symbols of
Islam; according to legend, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a
star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors.
five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely
resemble those on the banner of Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey; the crescent
moon and star serve as insignia for the Turks, as well as being traditional symbols of
Islam; according to legend, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a
star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors.
Capital: Ankara
Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National Holidays:
Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
Government Type:
republican parliamentary democracy
Suffrage: 18 years of age;
universal
Chief of State:
President Abdullah GUL
(since 28 August 2007)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March
2003)
UN Represenative: Ertugrul Apakan
Executive Branch: Consists of the
president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible
for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members
of parliament.
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi
(550 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms).
Judicial Branch: Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State
(Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals;
Military High Administrative Court.
Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National Holidays:
Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
Government Type:
republican parliamentary democracy
Suffrage: 18 years of age;
universal
Chief of State:
President Abdullah GUL
(since 28 August 2007)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March
2003)
UN Represenative: Ertugrul Apakan
Executive Branch: Consists of the
president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible
for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members
of parliament.
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi
(550 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms).
Judicial Branch: Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State
(Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals;
Military High Administrative Court.
Turkey
Ambassador to Turkey -Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr. Embassy Local in Turkey- 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara Location of Consulates in Turkey - Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir |
U.S.
Ambassador to the U.S. - Ambassador Namik Tan Embassy Local in the U.S.- 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Location of Consulates in the U.S. - Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York |