Turkey's main and most productive farmlands are the fertile areas of the coastal regions. In most years, enough crops are produced for all the people of the country in addition to a large surplus for trade. About half of the cropland in Turkey is used for grains. The main crops are wheat, barley, and corn. Also, large amounts of cotton are produced, and tobacco is a major export from the country. Turkey produces large amounts of fruits, nuts, and vegetables as well. Livestock are not as important as crops in this country, but sheep, goats, and other livestock are raised. The most valuable livestock product in Turkey is wool.

Manufacturing may not be as large as agriculture in Turkey, but industrial production is more valuable and important that agricultural output. The largest manufacturing industries in Turkey are processed foods and drinks, as well as the production of textiles. Other, less important manufactured products include fertilizers, machinery, iron and steel, metal products, motor vehicles, and paper products.

The mining industry in Turkey is largely underdeveloped, yet the country is rich in mineral resources. The nation's largest mineral is cooking coal, which is used in steel making. Turkey also produces and refines petroleum oil. Other minerals produced include boron, chromite, copper, iron ore, and minerals used in jewelry.

Turkey has an unfavorable balance of trade; it exports much more than it imports. This is required for the government program to speed up the countries industrial growth. The country exports as many products as possible and imports large quantities of machinery and raw materials. Turkey's major exports are clothing, textiles, cotton, fruits, nuts, and tobacco. The country's main imports include chemicals, machinery, iron and steel, motor vehicles and petroleum.

The roads in Turkey reach to almost all of the country's towns, but many of the roads are unpaved. By 1991, less that 2 percent of Turkey's population owned automobiles. The majority of the population use public transportation such as buses, trains, or taxis. The railroad system in Turkey links to all of the counties main cities. Turkey has many international airports, which are served by government-owned Turkish Airlines. Most Turkish families own a radio, and there is 1 television for every 10 people.

The Ottoman Turks are a perfect example of a country that has progressed throughout the years, advancing their economy to meet the new technology. Turkey, when controlled by the Ottomans, relied on trade with the Muslims. However, when the Portuguese founded their new route to the Indies the income for the Ottoman Empire dropped dramatically. The Ottomans never recovered so he economic problem was passed to the Ottomans successors. These countries found it that agriculture benefited them over all other economic opportunities. In turkey (the main successor to the Ottomans) agriculture dominated their work force with 58% of all jobs in agriculture. This change shows the progression from trade to an isolationist business marking Turkey as a true self-reliant country. Then when Turkey moved to the high tech industry, microchips, computers and other appliances they marked a new era in an area that usually stuck to the past. Much has changed in only 90 years but the Turks have not forgotten their past. Rugs and other embroideries are still a large part of the Turkish growing economy linking them to their past while technology brings them into the 21st century.

Source:

"Turkey." World Book Encyclopedia. 1991 ed.