Turkey

 


Here you can find out a few interesting snippets of information about Turkey with the kids before printing out Turkish flags (and flag bookmarks, flag colouring page and flag notebooking pages) and exploring its location with our map printables and location worksheets.

Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey

Learn a Little About Turkey

  • The Republic of Turkey was established in 1923.  Ankara, the country's second largest city after Istanbul, is the capital.
  • Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was the first President and his surname Ataturk denotes his status as 'Father of the Turks's. He founded  a secular state to sweep away the Ottoman past.
  • This vast country, with a population of 73 million, sits in Asia but has a foothold across the Bosphorus in Europe. This gives it a fascinating mix of cultures from the coastal Aegean and Mediterranean in the south and east (popular with tourists seeking sun and beaches) to the traditional and more orthodox centre and north.
  • The region is an ancient centre of civilisation dating to the earliest settlement in Anatolia. Rich archaeological remains cover the country from periods of Hittite, Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule.

Ruins at Ephesus, Turkey
Ruins at Ephesus, Turkey

  • Most Turks are Muslims despite the secular state, and are proud of their heritage and hospitality.
  • Turkish food is a wonderful mix of styles which use the fresh ingredients in each region. Vegetable dishes are often served as part of a "meze" selection to start a meal.
  • Football is the national sport, with Galatasaray the most successful club. Basketball is also widely played. The Kirpinarl oiled wrestling tournament dates back to 1346!
  • Istanbul, home to the famous Church of Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace, dates back to 700 BCE. Originally named Byzantium after a founding captain Byzas, it was then renamed Constantinople after the Roman Emperor who made the city the capital of the Roman Empire.

About the Turkish Flag

Turkey Flag

The Turkish Flag is red with a white star and crescent towards the left of the centre. The flag is sometimes known as al bayrak (the red flag).


Our Turkey Country Resources

Turkey Booklet

Turkey Booklet

Part of our huge series of around the world booklets, this Turkey booklet comes in both blank and lined versions. Folding instructions can be found here.

Turkey Bookmarks

Turkey Bookmarks

Our Turkey bookmarks would also make handy classroom labels and come in 4 versions; with or without country name, colour or black and white. 

Turkey Fact Worksheet

Turkey Fact Worksheet

This fact-finding worksheet will encourage children in their quest to learn about Turkey!

Turkey Flag Printable

Turkey Flag Printable

you'll find four different sizes of Turkish flag to print here in this pdf file - from almost full page to cocktail stick size.

Turkey Location Worksheet

Turkey Location Worksheet - Asia

Turkey is unusual in that it is positioned in both Europe and Asia (by land mass it is positioned at 95% in Asia). Can the children locate it on the map and name the capital city?

Turkey Location Worksheet

Turkey Location Worksheet - Europe

This location worksheet asks children to find, and colour in, Turkey, and to name its capital city. Choose from two levels of difficulty.

Turkey On Map Of Europe

Turkey On Map Of Europe

Children can see where Turkey falls within a map of Europe - and why you would need to look at a map of Asia to see the rest of this large country.

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