Turkey

Turkey (Türkiye) is a transcontinental country situated at the junction of southeastern Europe and western Asia, occupying a strategically important position between the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Covering an area of approximately 783,000 km², Turkey exhibits exceptional geographical diversity, encompassing coastal plains, high mountain ranges, fertile river valleys, plateaus, wetlands, and extensive semi-arid regions. This geographical complexity has contributed significantly to the country's ecological richness, agricultural productivity, and historical importance as a crossroads of civilizations.

The physical geography of Turkey is dominated by the Anatolian Plateau, which occupies much of the country's interior and is surrounded by mountain systems that influence climatic and hydrological patterns. The Pontic Mountains extend along the Black Sea coast in the north, while the Taurus Mountains form a major barrier along the Mediterranean coast in the south. Eastern Anatolia is characterized by rugged topography and high elevations, including Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), the country's highest peak at 5,137 meters. Turkey's river systems, including the Euphrates (Fırat), Tigris (Dicle), Kızılırmak, and Sakarya rivers, provide essential water resources for agriculture, industry, and human settlements. Climatic conditions vary considerably across the country, ranging from humid temperate climates along the Black Sea coast to Mediterranean conditions in western and southern coastal regions and continental semi-arid climates in the central plateau. These climatic gradients support a wide range of ecosystems and agricultural systems.

Turkey possesses one of the world's richest historical and cultural heritages. Human occupation dates back to the Paleolithic period, and the region contains some of the earliest known archaeological sites associated with settled agriculture and urban development, including Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük. Throughout history, Anatolia served as the homeland or center of numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. The city of Constantinople, now Istanbul, became the capital of the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire, serving as one of the most influential political and cultural centers in world history. Following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War, the Republic of Turkey was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, initiating extensive political, social, and economic modernization reforms. Today, Turkey remains a significant regional power with a diverse economy and strategic geopolitical position.

Agriculture has historically been a cornerstone of the Turkish economy and continues to play an important role in employment, rural development, and food production. The country's varied climates, fertile soils, and abundant water resources enable the cultivation of a wide range of crops. Agricultural production is concentrated in the coastal plains, river valleys, and irrigated regions of Central and Southeastern Anatolia. Wheat is the most widely cultivated cereal and forms the foundation of domestic food production. Other major field crops include barley, maize, sunflower, sugar beet, cotton, and tobacco. Turkey is also among the world's leading producers of fruits and nuts, including hazelnuts, apricots, cherries, figs, pomegranates, grapes, olives, and citrus fruits. Olive cultivation is particularly important in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, while hazelnut production along the Black Sea coast accounts for a substantial share of global output.
Vegetable production is highly developed and includes tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, eggplants, and potatoes. Greenhouse cultivation is widespread in the Mediterranean coastal zone, enabling year-round production. Livestock farming constitutes another important agricultural activity, with cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry providing meat, milk, wool, and eggs. Traditional pastoral systems remain significant in mountainous and semi-arid regions, while modern intensive livestock operations contribute substantially to national food supplies.

Turkey possesses one of the most productive fisheries sectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Marine fisheries operate in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Sea of Marmara. The Black Sea is particularly important for commercial fishing and supports species such as anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), which constitutes a major proportion of national fish landings. Other commercially important species include sardines, mackerel, bonito, sea bass, sea bream, and bluefish. Inland fisheries occur in lakes, reservoirs, and river systems throughout the country. Aquaculture has expanded rapidly in recent decades and has become a major contributor to fish production, particularly through the cultivation of trout, sea bass, and sea bream. Sustainable fisheries management has become increasingly important due to concerns regarding overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate-related changes in marine ecosystems.

Forestry represents a significant natural resource sector in Turkey, with forests covering approximately one-third of the country's land area. The country's forests exhibit considerable ecological diversity due to variations in climate, elevation, and topography. Coniferous species such as Turkish pine (Pinus brutia), black pine (Pinus nigra), fir (Abies spp.), and cedar (Cedrus libani) dominate many forested regions, while deciduous forests contain oak (Quercus spp.), beech (Fagus orientalis), chestnut (Castanea sativa), and other broadleaf species. Forest ecosystems provide numerous environmental services, including soil conservation, watershed protection, biodiversity maintenance, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. They also support timber production, non-timber forest products, ecotourism, and rural livelihoods. However, Turkish forests face increasing pressures from wildfires, urbanization, illegal logging, pests, and climate change, particularly in Mediterranean regions where rising temperatures and prolonged droughts increase wildfire risk.

In summary, Turkey's diverse geography, favorable climatic conditions, and rich historical legacy have fostered the development of highly productive agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors. The country's ability to support a wide range of crops, extensive livestock production, significant marine and inland fisheries, and diverse forest ecosystems reflects the interaction between natural resource endowments and human adaptation over thousands of years. As environmental and climatic challenges intensify, sustainable resource management will remain essential for maintaining the productivity and ecological integrity of these sectors in the future.

Gerold first visited Turkey with Michael in 1982, shortly after the military had taken power. Arriving by bus from Alexandroupolis in Greece, they explored Istanbul’s mosques, underground cisterns, and bustling bazaar. The city felt exciting, exotic, and deeply oriental. Their journey continued south by dolmuş through Bursa to Izmir, with excursions to Pamukkale and Troy. Although fascinated by the country, Gerold missed Barbara and found it difficult to fully relax. In 1988, Gerold returned with Gundi, driving across Turkey to Central Anatolia, Lake Van, and the region beyond Mount Ararat. In Bodrum they completed a diving course and discovered the striking contrasts between the Kurdish east and western Turkey. Along the way they met a friendly couple from Düsseldorf, with whom they remained in contact for years. Turkey remained a regular destination. In 2004, Gerold attended a conference in Kuşadası with Klaudia and enjoyed exploring the nearby mountains. In 2008, he spent two days in Istanbul with Klaudia, Ayla, and Kim, visiting Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. In 2010, he stayed in Kaş with Kim and his friend Sirke while they earned their diving certificates; there he also completed his second novel, Only Oldesloe. Professional commitments brought Gerold back several times. He visited Istanbul in 2012 and 2014 to help organize the Organic World Congress, despite encountering demonstrations around Taksim Square. In 2013, he spoke at the first Black Sea Eco-Conference in Kelkit and visited Trabzon, impressed by its mountainous scenery and well-kept surroundings. By 2017, he had passed through Istanbul around twenty times in transit, even spending an unexpected night there after missing a flight. Further visits included a stopover in 2018, a night at the old Atatürk Airport in 2019, and a trip to Izmir in 2022 for the Mediterranean Organic Conference—his first business journey after the Covid-19 pandemic and a welcome chance to reconnect with friends and colleagues.