Changes

Modern Turkey encompasses bustling [[cosmopolitan]] centers, pastoral farming villages, barren wastelands, peaceful Aegean coastlines, and steep mountain regions. More than half of Turkey's population lives in urban areas that juxtapose Western lifestyles with more traditional ways of life.  

Modern Turkey encompasses bustling [[cosmopolitan]] centers, pastoral farming villages, barren wastelands, peaceful Aegean coastlines, and steep mountain regions. More than half of Turkey's population lives in urban areas that juxtapose Western lifestyles with more traditional ways of life.  

The Turkish state has been officially [[secular]] since 1924. Approximately 99% of the population is [[Muslim]]. Most Turkish Muslims follow the [[Sunni]] traditions of Islam, although a significant number follow Alevi and [[Shiite]] traditions. Questions regarding role of religion in society and government, the role of linguistic and ethnic identity, and the public's expectation to live in security dominate public discourse. Turkish citizens who assert a [[Kurds|Kurdish]] identity constitute an ethnic and linguistic group that is estimated at up to 12 million in number.  

Turkey is officially a [[secular state|secular]] country with no official religion since the constitutional amendment in 1928 and later strengthened by Atatürk's Reforms and the appliance of laicism by the country's founder and first president [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]] at the end of 1937. Overwhelming majority of the population is [[Muslim]]. Most Turkish Muslims follow the [[Sunni]] traditions of Islam, although a significant number follow Alevi and [[Shiite]] traditions. Questions regarding role of religion in society and government, the role of linguistic and ethnic identity, and the public's expectation to live in security dominate public discourse. Turkish citizens who assert a [[Kurds|Kurdish]] identity constitute an ethnic and linguistic group that is estimated at up to 12 million in number.  

*Population (2006): 72.9 million.

*Population (2006): 72.9 million.

*Annual population growth rate (2004 est.): 1.33%.

*Annual population growth rate (2004 est.): 1.33%.

*Ethnic groups: Turkish, Kurdish, other.

*Ethnic groups: Turkish, Kurdish, other.

*Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian, Bahai, and Jewish.

*Religions: Muslim (majority), Christian, Bahai, and Jewish.

*Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Zaza, Arabic, Armenian, Greek.

*Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Zaza, Arabic, Armenian, Greek.

*Education: Years compulsory—8. Attendance—97.6%. Literacy—86.5%.

*Education: Years compulsory—8. Attendance—97.6%. Literacy—86.5%.