Türkiye Quiz: A Fun Way to Learn About the Country

Türkiye uses the Turkish Lira (TRY) as its national currency. The lira has undergone several changes over the years, including a revaluation in 2005 that dropped six zeros from the old currency.

Döner kebab is a popular Turkish dish made by stacking seasoned meat (usually lamb or chicken) on a vertical spit, slowly cooked, and sliced off in thin layers.

Cappadocia, in central Türkiye, is renowned for its otherworldly landscape formed by volcanic rock erosion, with cone-shaped rock formations called “fairy chimneys”. It’s also famous for hot air balloon rides.

Around 99% of Türkiye’s population identifies as Muslim, primarily of the Sunni branch. Türkiye is officially a secular state with freedom of religion.

Turkish tea (çay) is a strong black tea served in iconic tulip-shaped glasses, often sweetened with sugar. It’s a staple of social life and hospitality in Türkiye.

The red flag of Türkiye features a white star and crescent, symbolizing heritage from the Ottoman Empire and Turkish identity.

Pide is a popular Turkish flatbread often shaped like a boat and topped with cheese, meats, or vegetables. It’s commonly referred to as “Turkish pizza.”

Istanbul is Türkiye’s largest city by population and its main cultural, economic, and historical center, though it is not the capital.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the military and political leader who led the Turkish War of Independence. He abolished the Ottoman monarchy and established the modern, secular Republic of Türkiye in 1923, becoming its first president.

Türkiye is a transcontinental country. The larger part of the country (around 97%) lies in Asia (called Anatolia), while a smaller portion (about 3%) lies in Europe (called Eastern Thrace). The Bosporus Strait divides the two parts.

The Hagia Sophia was built in 537 as a Christian cathedral, later converted into a mosque in 1453, then a museum in 1935. In 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque.

Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) is celebrated on October 29 each year, commemorating the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923.

The Mediterranean Sea borders Türkiye’s southern coast, giving rise to its warm climate and beautiful coastal cities like Antalya and Mersin.

Lake Van, located in eastern Türkiye, is the largest lake in the country. It is a salty soda lake, meaning it has high alkalinity and is not suitable for drinking water.

The 15 July Martyrs Bridge, formerly known as the Bosphorus Bridge, spans the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul and connects the European and Asian continents.

The official and most widely spoken language in Türkiye is Turkish, which uses a modified Latin alphabet introduced during Atatürk’s reforms in the 1920s.

While many people assume Istanbul is the capital due to its size and fame, the actual capital of Türkiye is Ankara. It was chosen as the capital in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk because of its more central location and strategic importance during the War of Independence.

The Ottoman Empire, one of the most powerful empires in history, had its capital in Istanbul (then Constantinople) from 1453 until its dissolution in 1922. It ruled vast territories across Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Türkiye joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952, aligning with Western powers during the Cold War due to its strategic geopolitical location.

Türkiye lies on multiple active fault lines, including the North Anatolian Fault, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes, especially in regions like Istanbul and eastern Anatolia.

The legendary city of Troy, known from Homer’s Iliad, is located in modern-day Hisarlik in northwestern Türkiye. Archaeological evidence confirms the site's historical significance.

The city of Istanbul was originally known as Byzantium when founded by Greek colonists. It later became Constantinople under the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great before being renamed Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in 1453.

Mount Ararat, the highest peak in Türkiye, is traditionally believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood according to biblical tradition.

While tulips are often associated with the Netherlands, they originated in Central Asia and Anatolia. The tulip became a symbol of the Ottoman Empire and remains Türkiye’s national flower.

The Bosporus Strait is a narrow waterway in Istanbul that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It also serves as a geographical divider between the European and Asian parts of Türkiye.