ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Turkey. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Turkey. The urgency of continuing United Nations-sponsored proximity talks between Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash increased in 2001 as Cyprus moved closer to joining the European Union (EU). Turkish Cypriots can change the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) democratically. Turkish Cypriot authorities generally respect freedom of assembly and association, and there are numerous political parties, trade unions, and nongovernmental organizations. Turkish Cypriots' increasing disapproval of their leader weakens his position in negotiations for a settlement in the divided island.
