The Turkish Republic was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who had led the Turkish War of Independence. Atatürk was a nationalist and a secularist, and he sought to create a modern, secular nation-state on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. He abolished the sultanate and the caliphate, and he introduced a series of reforms that modernized Turkey's legal code, education system, and economy.
Turkey's location between the old Ottoman Empire and the new Turkish Republic made it a natural bridge between East and West. The country's cultural heritage is a blend of Ottoman, European, and Central Asian influences, and its population is a mix of Turks, Kurds, Armenians, and other ethnic groups. This diversity has made Turkey a crossroads of ideas and cultures, and it has played a vital role in the history of the region.
In the years since World War 1, Turkey has continued to play an important role in international affairs. The country is a member of the United Nations, NATO, and the OECD, and it has close relations with the United States and the European Union. Turkey is also a major economic and cultural power in the region, and it is a popular destination for tourists from around the world.