Turkiye: A great journey of 101 years toward Democracy, Development, and Prosperity

Dr.Syed Mehboob

Political and Economic Analyst

http//: www.thenewslark.com

email: drmehboob.thenewslark@gmail.com

The Turkish nation unanimouslyendorsedKamalAtaturk’s great, dynamic, and far-sighted leadership and decided its destiny in democracy.On 29 October 1923, Kamal Ataturk declared Turkiye a “Republic.” Since then, Turkey hasnever looked back and continued its journey of development, prosperity, and progress, and today, it has a dignified, respected status in the world community.

Turkiye with an area of 783,562 sq km is the 36^th largest country in the world in terms of area, with a population of 85.37 million is the 17^th largest, having a GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) US$ 3,457 billion, 12^th in the world, GDP ( Nominal ) US$ 1,344 billion,17^th in the world, with GDP per Capita ( PPP) US$ 40,283, 54^th in the world, GDP Per Capita ( Nominal) US$ 15,666, 64^th in the world. It has a very high Human Development Index (HDI) of 45^th.

Turk means strong, strong, or flourishing.

Turkiye’s Asian side covers 97% of its surface area and is often called “Anatolia”, Turkiye’s European side includes 10% of its population and 3% of its surface.

GDP by Sector

Muslims account for 99.4% of its total population.

Its exports in 2023 were around US$ 255.8 billion and Imports were US$ 361.8 billion. Every year between 35 to 40 million tourists visit Turkiye.

Global Innovation Index ( GII)

Turkiye ranks 4^thamong the 34^th upper middle group economies. It ranks 4^th among 19 economies in Northern Africa and Western Asia.

The Seven GII Pillars Ranks for Turkiye

Social and educational ranking

Turkiye has a diversified economy, its main industries include automobiles, electronics, textiles, construction, steel, mining, and food processing. It is one of the major agricultural producers. Turkiye ranks 8^th in crude steel production, and 13^th in motor vehicle production, and shipbuilding. Turkish Automobile companies include TEMSA, Otokar, MBC, and Togg. Togg is the first all-electric vehicle company (EVC) in Turkiye. Arcelik Vestel and Beko are major manufacturers of consumer electronics. Arcelik is one of the largest producers of household goods in the world. In 2022 Turkiye ranked second in the world in terms of the number of international contractors in the top 250 list. It is also the fifth largest in the world in terms of the number of international contractors in the top 250 list. It is also the fifth largest in the world in terms of textile exports. Turkish Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world. Tourism accounts for about 8% of Turkiye’s GDP. In 2022, Turkiye ranked fifth in the world in the number of International tourists with 50.5 million foreign tourists. Turkiye has 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 84 World Heritage Sites in the tentative list. Turkiye is home to 519 Blue Flag beaches, the most in the world. According to Euromonitor International report, Istanbul is the most visited city in the world, with more than 20.2 million foreign visitors in 2023. Antalya has surpassed Paris and New York to become the fourth most visited city in the world, with more than 16.5 million foreign visitors.

Turkiye is the 16^th largest electricity producer in the world. Turkiye’s energy generation capacity increased significantly, with energy generation from renewable sources, tripling in the past decade. It produces 43.8 % of its electricity from such sources in 2019. Turkiye is the fourth-largest producer of geothermal power in the world. As of 2023, Turkiye has 3,762 kilometers of controlled access highways and 29,373 kilometers of divided highways. Multiple bridges and tunnels connect Asian and European sides of Turkiye, the Canakkale 1915 Bridge on the Dardanelles Straits is the longest suspension bridge in the world. Istanbul Metro is the largest subway network in the country with around 704 million annual ridership in 2019. There are 115 airports as of 2024, Istanbul Airport is one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world. It aims to become a transportation hub. In 2024, Turkiye, Iraq, UAE, and Qatar signed an agreement to link Iraqi port facilities to Turkiye via road and rail connections. Turkiye ranks 16^th in terms of article output in scientific and technical journals, and 35^th in Nature Index. Turkish patent office ranks 21^st worldwide in overall patent applications, and 3^rd in industrial design applications. In 2024, Turkiye ranked 37^th in the world in the Global Innovation Index(GII). TUBITAK is one of the main agencies for funding and carrying out research. There are around 80 technological parks where around 6,000 national and multinational companies are engaged in Research and Development activities. Turkish Academy of Sciences supports science policies.

On the occasion of the 101st Anniversary of Turkish Republic Day President  Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the visionary leader of Turkiye, emphasized the importance of internal unity and resilience in Türkiye’s 101st  magnificent Republic Day speech on Oct. 29, pledging that Turkiye will resist regional “insidious games” and pursue its “honorable struggle” for stability.

At a special ceremony in the Presidential Complex, Erdogan commemorated the 101st anniversary of the Turkish Republic’s founding by honoring those who fought for independence, particularly modern Turkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In his address, he asserted that the Republic of Turkiye, with centuries-old roots, represents more than its 101-year lifespan, embodying a continuity of statehood that dates back thousands of years.In his address, Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s legacy as the successor to centuries-old states, countering perceptions of Turkiye as a young nation. “Our Republic was founded as a continuation of our long state tradition,” Erdogan noted. “It is a regime symbolizing a new beginning rather than a new state.”

Reflecting on the nation’s storied past, Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye’s struggles and sacrifices have shaped a strong identity and a global influence. He urged citizens to look forward rather than dwell on past grievances, inviting them to join a vision of the “Turkish Century” that centers on Türkiye’s political and economic development.Calling unity essential in a time of rapid global change, Erdogan stressed that political, social, and economic issues need to be addressed swiftly. He argued that this path forward would be strengthened by collective support for the People’s Alliance initiatives, symbolizing a renewed era.

Drawing on the historic spirit of the Turkish Independence War, Erdogan evoked the determination that led to key victories against occupying forces in Türkiye’s War of Independence. “We are entering a new period of strength built not on our ashes, but on our ambition and determination,” he stated. “Like our predecessors, we will not retreat in the face of regional games and dark scenarios,”Erdogan concluded by calling on all Turkish citizens, regardless of background, to unite in building the future, inspired by a shared love of country. “Let us turn our differences into the mortar and iron for the construction of the Turkish Century,” he said. The president celebrated Republic Day by encouraging a collective commitment to Türkiye’s success, stating that “there is no pause until we achieve our goals for this century.”

Erdogan vowed to deploy all available resources to combat terrorism, reiterating his government’s commitment to eliminating threats in the early hours of Oct. 29.

“We are not complacent about eliminating the threat of terrorism at its source. Wherever we detect a threat to our country, no one can stop us from eliminating it,” Erdogan said at an event in the capital Ankara.The event included the official handover of the Gökbey, Türkiye’s first domestically produced general-purpose helicopter by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), to the gendarmerie.It took place at the TUSAŞ premises, recently the scene of a terrorist attack by PKK.

“Such treacherous attacks can never break, regress, or divert our determination and resolve in the fight against terrorism. We will not hesitate to use all means to end terrorism,” Erdogansaid. “We have dealt heavy blows to the separatist terrorist organization. We do not let the terrorists nesting beyond the border breathe. We will continue this multidimensional struggle until we reach our goal of a country and region free of terrorism.”