Conventional Long Form Name of Country: Republic of Turkey
Capital City: Ankara
Type of Government: Republic Parliamentary democracy
Date of Independence: 29 October 1923
National Holiday(s) [Date and Celebration]: Republic day, 29 October 1923
Chief of State [Picture below]: President Abdullah Guk (since 28 August 2007)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (since 14 March 2003)
Executive Branch/Powers: 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. The cabinet council of ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister.
Legislative Branch/Powers: Unicameral Grand National assmbly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms). The last held 12 June 2011 (next to be held in June 2015)
Judical Branch/Powers: Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court.
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Ambassador to the United States: Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.
Embassy in the United States: Ambassador Namik Tan
Turkey's consulate(s) in the United States [City&States]: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
United States Ambassador to Turkey: Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.
Turkey Ambassador to United States: Ambassador Namik Tan
Turkey's respresentative to the United States: Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.
Location of United States Embassy: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Location of United States Consulates: Istanbul, Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir
National Symbol: Star and Crescent
President Abdullah Guk
This picture to the left portrays the Cheif of State, President Abdullah Guk.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
This picture to the left portrays the Head of the Government, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey's Flag
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.