#Turkey is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. It is bordered by Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest, the Black Sea to the north, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, and Iran to the east, Iraq to the southeast, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the west. Area: 783,562 square kilometers. Topography: Includes the Taurus Mountains in the south, the Pontic Mountains in the north, fertile plains like the Anatolian Plain, and the Central Anatolian Plateau, along with lakes such as Lake Van. Water Bodies: Borders four major seas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. 🌐 2. Climate: Coastal Areas: Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Black Sea Coast: Moderate and humid climate year-round. Inland Regions: Continental climate with hot, dry summers and very cold, snowy winters. Climate Change: Turkey faces challenges like drought and rising temperatures due to climate change. 🌐 3. Population: Population Size: Approximately 84.5 million (2021). Population Distribution: Istanbul is the largest city with over 15.5 million residents. Ankara is the second largest, followed by Izmir, Bursa, and Antalya. Ethnic Diversity: Predominantly Turks, with a significant Kurdish minority, and smaller Armenian, Arab, and Greek communities. Population Growth: About 1.2% annually. 🌐 4. Economy: GDP: Approximately $7.209 trillion in 2021. Exports: Includes agricultural products, automobiles, textiles, and electronics, valued at $225 billion. Imports: Mainly energy and raw materials, totaling $271 billion. Unemployment Rate: Around 10.3%. Agriculture and Industry: Notable for wheat, hazelnuts, and olives, as well as being a leading producer of automobiles and steel. 🌐 5. Currency: The official currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY), which experiences fluctuations in value against foreign currencies. 🌐 6. Tourism: Visitor Numbers: Turkey welcomed around 30 million tourists in 2021. Revenue: Approximately $24.5 billion. Top Destinations: Istanbul: Iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Antalya: A hub for coastal tourism. Cappadocia: Known for its unique landscapes and hot air balloons. Historical Sites: Ephesus and Troy. 🌐 7. History: Civilizations: Turkey has been home to various civilizations, including the Hittites, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines. Ottoman Era: Spanned from the 14th century to the early 20th century. Modern Republic: Established in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who moved the capital to Ankara and initiated widespread reforms. 🌐 8. Education: Education System: Mandatory for 12 years (6 years primary, 3 years middle, 3 years secondary). Higher Education: Home to numerous universities, including Istanbul University and Middle East Technical University. Literacy Rate: Approximately 96%. 🌐 9. Healthcare: Healthcare System: Turkey has a well-developed healthcare system encompassing public and private sectors. Medical Tourism: A popular destination for medical and cosmetic treatments, attracting thousands of patients annually. Hospitals: Equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology. 🌐 10. Culture: Official Language: Turkish. Religion: Islam is the predominant religion, with Christian and Jewish minorities. Traditions: A blend of Eastern and Western cultural influences. Turkey serves as a bridge between East and West, with a rich history and modern development.

The Linguistic Structure of Iran 🇮🇷 Iran is a highly diverse country with many languages spoken across its regions. The most prominent language is Persian (Farsi), which serves as the official language. However, there are several other major languages, often categorized into distinct linguistic groups: 1. Indo-Iranian Group • Persian (Farsi) – Official and widely spoken across Iran. • Kurdish – Mainly spoken in western regions. • Baluchi – Spoken in southeastern Iran. 2. Turkic Group • Azerbaijani (Azeri) – Predominantly spoken in the northwest. • Turkmen – Spoken in the northeastern provinces. • Qashqai (Kashkai) is a Turkic language spoken by the Qashqai people, a semi-nomadic pastoralist group primarily living in the southwestern region of Iran, particularly in Fars province. It belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family, which includes Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Turkmen. Qashqai is closely related to Azerbaijani, and many speakers are bilingual, also fluent in Persian (Farsi). The Qashqai people have a rich cultural heritage and maintain their own distinct traditions, including their language, despite the dominance of Persian in the region. • 3. Semitic Group • Arabic – Spoken in the southwestern regions, particularly Khuzestan. 4. Caucasian and Other Minority Languages • Gilaki and Mazandarani – Spoken along the Caspian Sea coast. • Armenian – Spoken by the Armenian minority in various cities. Hashtags: #LinguisticDiversity #IranLanguages #PersianLanguage #CulturalDiversity #Iran #Linguistics

Islamic World The Islamic world refers to countries and regions where Islam is dominant, influencing various aspects of life, including culture, politics, law, and education. It is not just limited to the Middle East; it spans Africa, Asia, and Europe. Critical Aspects of the Islamic World: 1. Geographical Spread: Middle East and North Africa (MENA): The heartland of Islam, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey. South Asia: Countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, where Islam plays a central role. Southeast Asia: Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, Malaysia, and Brunei. Sub-Saharan Africa: Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Somalia have significant Muslim populations. Europe: There are significant Muslim communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and growing populations in Western Europe due to migration. 2. Cultural and Religious Practices: Religious Practices: The Five Pillars of Islam (Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj) are central to Islamic life. Islamic Law (Sharia): In many Muslim-majority countries, Sharia law influences or directly governs legal systems, covering everything from criminal law to personal status issues like marriage and inheritance. Language: Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam, but other languages, such as Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and Malay, are widely spoken in the Islamic world. 3. Historical Contributions: The Golden Age of Islam (8th to 14th century) was a period of significant advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, with learning centres in cities like Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba. Architecture: Islamic architecture is renowned for its mosques, madrasas (schools), and palaces, featuring minarets, domes, and intricate geometric designs. 4. Modern-Day Dynamics: Political Landscape: The Islamic world includes various governance systems, from monarchies in the Gulf States to republics in Iran and Turkey. Political Islam and movements like the Muslim Brotherhood have had significant influence in some regions. Economic Power: The Islamic world includes some of the world's largest oil producers, like Saudi Arabia and Iran, which play a critical role in global energy markets. Social Issues: The Islamic world faces diverse social challenges, from modernisation and globalisation to debates over women's rights, democracy, and the role of religion in the state. 5. Global Influence: Diaspora: Significant Muslim communities in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world contribute to the global influence of Islam. Interfaith Relations: Islam is one of the world's major religions, with interfaith dialogue becoming increasingly important in promoting understanding and cooperation between different religious communities. The Islamic world is diverse and complex, with a rich history and significant impact on global culture, politics, and economics.

Yusuf Ma Dexin, a Hui Chinese Hanafi-Maturidi scholar from Yunnan, was known for his expertise in Arabic and Persian languages and profound understanding of Islam. He was also known as Ma Fuchu in Chinese. In 1841, Yusuf Ma embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage, his departure from China caused disruptions due to the First Opium War. He accompanied a contingent of Muslim merchants who traveled overland, crossing the Sipsong Panna and then a riverboat journey along the Irrawaddy River. They were allowed to embark on a vessel from Yangon, which took them to the Arabian Peninsula. After performing Hajj and visiting holy cities of Makkah and Madina, Yusuf Ma remained in the Middle East for eight years. He studied at al-Azhar University in Cairo and explored the Ottoman Empire, visiting cities like Suez, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Cyprus, and Rhodes. He died in 1874. Below is a portrait of Yusuf Ma Dexin, and a Chinese book shows - Shakl Masjid-AlHaram AlKaba. #ChineseMuslim #islaminchina #historyofhajj #HajjPilgrims

The Mollabashi House, also known as house of Mo’tamediha, is located in #Isfahan, #Iran. Its original building was constructed during Zand dynasty with two large “panj-dari” rooms; and a part called “zemestan-neshin” that allowed the residents to make use of the winter sun. Later in Qajar era, Mollabashi – the astronomer of Naser al-Din Shah who was sent to Isfahan on a mission – owned the house. He built the “shah-neshin”, a large room with an elevated position in the northern part of the house, and the large “noh-dari” room- the mansion’s most important, interesting parts indeed. It is an edifice with historical base and completely new decorations; ranging from sash windows, plaster and glass work to tiles and stone cravings. Mollabashi house has now turned into a tourist attraction. It consists of more than 10 rooms with particular features, named after months of Persian calendar.

#Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, is rich in history and culture. It was a vital part of the ancient Silk Road, contributing to the diverse architectural influences throughout the region. Uzbekistan's architecture blends Islamic, Persian, and Turkic elements. One of the most notable architectural landmarks is Registan Square in #Samarkand, adorned with three magnificent madrasas. The intricate tile work, geometric patterns, and majestic domes showcase the brilliance of Islamic architecture. #Bukhara, another historical city, boasts numerous ancient mosques, minarets, and caravanserais. The Kalon Minaret and the Po-i-Kalyan complex are remarkable examples of Islamic design with soaring towers and ornate facades. #Khiva, a well-preserved medieval city, showcases a unique blend of mud-brick architecture and intricate tilework. The Ichon-Qala fortress is remarkable with its towering walls and intricate gates. Uzbekistan's architectural heritage continues to be celebrated and preserved, attracting visitors from around the world who marvel at the country's stunning historical monuments and buildings. #lensofanarchitect #ancienthistory #asian #asianart #designer

The amazing Pomegranate Festival, #Niavaran Palace Complex, #Tehran-#Iran. It’s a popular ancient festival during harvest time. In #Zoroastrianism, #pomegranate represents soul’s immortality and the perfection of nature. In #Shahnameh, Esfandiyar becomes invincible after eating the fruit. Shahnameh is the national epic of Iran. Zoroastrianism was the predominant religion of Ancient #Persia.

Ancient Fridge. A yakhchāl is an ancient Persian “refrigerator” that stored food and even ice long before electricity was invented. See more:

Yusuf Ma Dexin (d. 1874) was a Hui Chinese Hanafi-Maturidi scholar from Yunnan, known for his fluency and proficiency in both Arabic and Persian, and for his knowledge of Islam. He also went by the Chinese name Ma Fuchu. He used the Arabic name Abd al-Qayyum Ruh ad-din Yusuf (عبد القيوم روح الدين يوسف). He was also styled as Mawlana al-Hajj Yusuf Ruh ad-Din Ma Fujuh (مولانا الحاج يوسف روح الدين ما فو جوه). Ma performed the Hajj pilgrimage in 1841. After his time in Makkah, he stayed in the Middle East for another eight years; he first went to Cairo, where he studied at Al-Azhar University, then travelled throughout the Ottoman Empire, going to Suez, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Cyprus, and Rhodes. He apparently produced the first Qur'an translation in Chinese and wrote many books about Islam in the Arabic and Persian language. #MuslimArchive

Adıyaman Türkiye Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Mount Nemrut is home to the Lion Horoscope, the oldest-known horoscope in the world. Located in Adıyaman, it is a perfect place for experiencing history and beauty simultaneously. The beauty is revealed while climbing up this mountain and witnessing a splendid sunrise, while the history comes from the statues symbolizing the gods from the Hellenic and Persian pantheons! Scattered around the top of the mountain are the royal tombs and sculptures that date back to 62 B.C.! Perhaps the most prominent among them is the tomb of Antiochos I, the king of Commagene. ❤🇹🇷