SGD to TRY Live Rate

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

1 22 N, 103 48 E

39 00 N, 35 00 E

Southeast Asia

Middle East

total: 719.2 sq km

land: 709.2 sq km

water: 10 sq km

country comparison to the world: 192

total: 783,562 sq km

land: 769,632 sq km

water: 13,930 sq km

country comparison to the world: 38

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km

total: 2,816 km

border countries (8): Armenia 311 km, Azerbaijan 17 km, Bulgaria 223 km, Georgia 273 km, Greece 192 km, Iran 534 km, Iraq 367 km, Syria 899 km

193 km

7,200 km

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice

territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea

exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

lowlying, gently undulating central plateau

high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges

mean elevation: NA

elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m

highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

mean elevation: 1,132 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Ararat 5,137 m

fish, deepwater ports

coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower

agricultural land: 1%

arable land 0.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 0%

forest: 3.3%

other: 95.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land: 49.7%

arable land 26.7%; permanent crops 4%; permanent pasture 19%

forest: 14.9%

other: 35.4% (2011 est.)

0 sq km (2012)

52,150 sq km (2012)

most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas

the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast

flash floods

severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van; landslides; flooding

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of about 60 islands, by far the largest of which is Pulau Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former islands and created a number of new ones

strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link the Black and Aegean Seas; the 3% of Turkish territory north of the Straits lies in Europe and goes by the names of European Turkey, Eastern Thrace, or Turkish Thrace; the 97% of the country in Asia is referred to as Anatolia; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country

5,888,926 (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 113

80,845,215 (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

noun: Singaporean(s)

adjective: Singapore

noun: Turk(s)

adjective: Turkish

Chinese 74.3%, Malay 13.4%, Indian 9%, other 3.2%

note: individuals self-identify; the population is divided into four categories: Chinese, Malay (includes Malays and Indonesians), Indian (includes Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or Sri Lankan), and other ethnic groups (includes Eurasians, Caucasians, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese (2017 est.)

Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 7-12% (2016 est.)

English (official) 36.9%, Mandarin (official) 34.9%, other Chinese dialects (includes Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew) 12.2%, Malay (official) 10.7%, Tamil (official) 3.3%, other 2%

note:: data represent language most frequently spoken at home (2015 est.)

Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Buddhist 33.2%, Christian 18.8%, Muslim 14%, Taoist 10%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 18.5% (2015 est.)

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

total dependency ratio: 37.3

youth dependency ratio: 21.3

elderly dependency ratio: 16

potential support ratio: 6.2 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio: 50.1

youth dependency ratio: 38.4

elderly dependency ratio: 11.7

potential support ratio: 8.5 (2015 est.)

total: 34.6 years

male: 34.5 years

female: 34.7 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 84

total: 30.9 years

male: 30.5 years

female: 31.4 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 110

1.82% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 57

0.52% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 153

8.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 214

15.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 119

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 217

6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 165

13.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

-4.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 185

most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas

the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast

urban population: 100% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population: 74.4% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 1.54% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

SINGAPORE (capital) 5.619 million (2015)

Istanbul 14.164 million; ANKARA (capital) 4.75 million; Izmir 3.04 million; Bursa 1.923 million; Adana 1.83 million; Gaziantep 1.528 million (2015)

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

30.5 years

median age (2015 est.)

22.3 years (2010 est.)

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 148

16 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 134

total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 222

total: 17.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 91

total population: 85.2 years

male: 82.6 years

female: 88.1 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

total population: 75 years

male: 72.7 years

female: 77.5 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 113

0.83 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 224

2.01 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 118

4.9% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 144

5.4% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 131

2.28 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

1.75 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

2.4 beds/1,000 population (2015)

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2013)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 85.5% of population

total: 94.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 14.5% of population

total: 5.1% of population (2015 est.)

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

6.1% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 170

32.1% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 17

2.9% of GDP (2013)

country comparison to the world: 140

4.4% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 142

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 98.7%

female: 98.2% (2016 est.)

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.6%

male: 98.6%

female: 92.6% (2015 est.)

total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 13 years (2009)

total: 16 years

male: 17 years

female: 16 years (2013)

total: 6.6%

male: 5.6%

female: 7.7% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

total: 18.5%

male: 16.5%

female: 22.2% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 72

73.5% (2013)

1.9% (2013)

country comparison to the world: 123

conventional long form: Republic of Singapore

conventional short form: Singapore

local long form: Republic of Singapore

local short form: Singapore

etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words "singa" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol

conventional long form: Republic of Turkey

conventional short form: Turkey

local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti

local short form: Turkiye

etymology: the name means "Land of the Turks"

parliamentary republic

parliamentary republic

name: Singapore

geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E

time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

name: Ankara

geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

none

81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

29 October 1923 (republic proclaimed succeeding the Ottoman Empire)

National Day, 9 August (1965)

Republic Day, 29 October (1923)

history: several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965

amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent by the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on fundamental liberties, the president, or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

history: several previous; latest ratified 9 November 1982

amendments: proposed by written consent of at least one-third of Grand National Assembly (GNA) members; adoption of draft amendments requires two debates in plenary GNA session and three-fifths majority vote of all GNA members; the president of the republic can request GNA reconsideration of the amendment and, if readopted by two-thirds majority GNA vote, the president may submit the amendment to a referendum; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote; amended several times, last in 2017 (2018)

English common law

civil law system based on various European legal systems, notably the Swiss civil code

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkey

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from the government

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: President HALIMAH Yacob (since 14 September 2017); note - President TAN's term ended on 31 August 2017; HALIMAH is Singapore's first female president; the head of the Council of Presidential Advisors, J.Y. PILLAY, served as acting president until HALIMAH was sworn in as president on 14 September 2017

head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Tharman SHANMUGARATNAM (since 21 May 2011)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 13 September 2017 (next to be held in 2023); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

election results: HALIMAH Yacob was declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate; Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president in the previous contested election on 27 August 2011; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 4.9%

chief of state: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 10 August 2014)

head of government: Prime Minister Binali YILDIRIM (since 22 May 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers Recep AKDAG (since 20 July 2017), Bekir BOZDAG (since 20 July 2017), Hakan CAVUSOGLU (since 20 July 2017), Fikri ISIK (since 20 July 2017), Mehmet SIMSEK (since 24 November 2015)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president (until the next parliamentary or presidential election following the April 2017 referendum)

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament; note - a 2007 constitutional amendment changed the presidential electoral process to direct popular vote; prime minister appointed by the president from among members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; election last held on 10 August 2014 (next to be held on 24 June 2018)

election results: Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN elected president; Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 51.8%, Ekmeleddin IHSANOGLU (independent) 38.4%, Selahattin DEMIRTAS (HDP) 9.8%

description: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 89 members directly elected by popular vote, up to 9 nominated by a parliamentary selection committee and appointed by the president, and up to 9 but currently 3 non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 11 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%, WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6

description: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats - will increase to 600 at November 2018 election); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms - term increased to 5 years beginning with November 2018 election)

elections: last held on 1 November 2015 (next to be held on 24 June 2018)

election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 49.5%, CHP 25.3%, MHP 11.9%, HDP 10.8%, other 2.5%; seats by party - AKP 317, CHP 134, HDP 59, MHP 40, ; note - only parties surpassing the 10% threshold can win parliamentary seats

highest court(s): Supreme Court (although the number varies, as of Feb 2018 it had a total of 21 judges, 7 judicial commissioners, 4 senior judges and 15 international judges; the court is organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; lower court judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirment at age 65 but can be extended; other appointments are for a fixed term

subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals

highest court: Constitutional Court or Anayasa Mahkemesi (consists of 17 members - a constitutional referendum held in 2017 approved an amendment to reduce to 15 from 17 the number of Constitutional Court judges); Court of Cassation (consists of about 390 judges and is organized into civil and penal chambers); Council of State (organized into 15 divisions - 14 judicial and 1 consultative - each with a division head and at least 5 members)

judge selection and term of office: Constitutional Court members - 3 appointed by the Grand National Assembly and 12 by the president of the republic; court president and 2 deputy presidents appointed from among its members for 4-year terms; judges appointed for 12-year, nonrenewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Board of Judges and Prosecutors, a 13-member body of judicial officials; Court of Cassation judges appointed until retirement at age 65; Council of State members appointed by the Board and by the president of the republic; members appointed for renewable, 4-year terms

subordinate courts: regional appeals courts; basic (first instance) courts, peace courts; military courts; state security courts; specialized courts, including administrative and audit; note - a constitutional amendment in 2017 abolished military courts unless established to investigate military personnel actions during war conditions

National Solidarity Party or NSP

People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]

Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [Dr. CHEE Soon Juan]

Workers' Party or WP [Pritam SINGH]

Democrat Party or DP [Gultekin UYSAL]

Democratic Left Party or DSP [Onder AKSAKAL]

Felicity Party or SP [Temel KARAMOLLAOGLU]

Good Party or IYI [Meral AKSENER]

Grand Unity Party or BBP [Mustafa DESTICI]

Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]

Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]

Patriotic Party or VP [Dogu PERINCEK]

People's Democratic Party or HDP [Selahattin DEMIRTAS and Serpil KEMALBAY]; note - DEMIRTAS was detained by Turkish authorities in November 2016 over his alleged links to the PKK

Republican People's Party or CHP [Kemal KILICDAROGLU]

True Path Party or DYP [Cetin OZACIRGOZ]

none

Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Mehmet BOZGEYIK, Aysun GEZEN, cochairs]

Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Kani BEKO]

Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Abfuttahman KAAN]

Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Mahmut ARSLAN]

Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations or TISK [Kudret ONEN]

Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions or Turk-Is [Ergun ATALAY]

Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Bendevi PALANDOKEN]

Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Erol BILECIK]

Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU]

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, CPLP (associate observer), D-8, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (candidate country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SCO (dialogue member), SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI (since 30 July 2012)

chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100

FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876

consulate(s) general: San Francisco

consulate(s): New York

chief of mission: Ambassador Serdar KILIC (since 21 May 2014)

chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephanie SYPTAK-RAMNATH (since 20 January 2017)

embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001

telephone: [65] 6476-9100

FAX: [65] 6476-9340

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Philip KOSNETT (since 16 October 2017)

embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara

mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823

telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555

FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019

consulate(s) general: Istanbul

consulate(s): Adana

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

red with a vertical white crescent moon (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely resemble those on the banner of the Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey; the crescent moon and star serve as insignia for Turkic peoples; according to one interpretation, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white

star and crescent; national colors: red, white

name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)

lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said

note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

name: "Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March)

lyrics/music: Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR

note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932

Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on Singapore’s vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors.

The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010. Growth from 2012-2017 was slower than during the previous decade, a result of slowing structural growth - as Singapore reached high-income levels - and soft global demand for exports. Growth recovered to 3.6% in 2017 with a strengthening global economy.

The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy to reduce its dependence on foreign labor, raise productivity growth, and increase wages amid slowing labor force growth and an aging population. Singapore has attracted major investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. Singapore is a signatory of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and a party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations with nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.

Turkey's largely free-market economy is driven by its industry and, increasingly, service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. The automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries have risen in importance and surpassed the traditional textiles and clothing sectors within Turkey's export mix. However, the recent period of political stability and economic dynamism has given way to domestic uncertainty and security concerns, which are generating financial market volatility and weighing on Turkey’s economic outlook.

Current government policies emphasize populist spending measures and credit breaks, while implementation of structural economic reforms has slowed. The government is playing a more active role in some strategic sectors and has used economic institutions and regulators to target political opponents, undermining private sector confidence in the judicial system. Between July 2016 and March 2017, three credit ratings agencies downgraded Turkey’s sovereign credit ratings, citing concerns about the rule of law and the pace of economic reforms.

Turkey remains highly dependent on imported oil and gas but is pursuing energy relationships with a broader set of international partners and taking steps to increase use of domestic energy sources including renewables, nuclear, and coal. The joint Turkish-Azerbaijani Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline is moving forward to increase transport of Caspian gas to Turkey and Europe, and when completed will help diversify Turkey's sources of imported gas.

After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country's economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. An aggressive privatization program also reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, power generation, and communication. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey's well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis, and GDP growth rebounded to around 9% in 2010 and 2011, as exports and investment recovered following the crisis.

The growth of Turkish GDP since 2016 has revealed the persistent underlying imbalances in the Turkish economy. In particular, Turkey’s large current account deficit means it must rely on external investment inflows to finance growth, leaving the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Other troublesome trends include rising unemployment and inflation, which increased in 2017, given the Turkish lira’s continuing depreciation against the dollar. Although government debt remains low at about 30% of GDP, bank and corporate borrowing has almost tripled as a percent of GDP during the past decade, outpacing its emerging-market peers and prompting investor concerns about its long-term sustainability.

$513.7 billion (2017 est.)

$501.1 billion (2016 est.)

$491.3 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 41

$2.133 trillion (2017 est.)

$2.029 trillion (2016 est.)

$1.966 trillion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 14

$305.8 billion (2017 est.)

$841.2 billion (2017 est.)

2.5% (2017 est.)

2% (2016 est.)

1.9% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 134

5.1% (2017 est.)

3.2% (2016 est.)

6.1% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 38

$90,500 (2017 est.)

$89,400 (2016 est.)

$88,800 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 7

$26,500 (2017 est.)

$25,400 (2016 est.)

$25,000 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 75

45% of GDP (2017 est.)

44.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

44.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

25.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

24.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

24.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 49

household consumption: 34.7%

government consumption: 11.4%

investment in fixed capital: 23.5%

investment in inventories: 1.9%

exports of goods and services: 179.2%

imports of goods and services: -150.6% (2017 est.)

household consumption: 59.8%

government consumption: 15.3%

investment in fixed capital: 28.6%

investment in inventories: -0.9%

exports of goods and services: 24%

imports of goods and services: -26.8% (2017 est.)

agriculture: 0%

industry: 26%

services: 74% (2016 est.)

agriculture: 6.7%

industry: 31.8%

services: 61.4% (2017 est.)

vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish, orchids

tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulses, citrus; livestock

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, biomedical products, scientific instruments, telecommunication equipment, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, entrepot trade

textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

3% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 101

3% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 100

3.668 million

note: excludes non-residents (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 99

31.3 million

note: this number is for the domestic labor force only; number does not include about 1.2 million Turks working abroad, nor refugees (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 20

agriculture: 0.96%

industry: 15.5%

services: 83.5%

note: excludes non-residents (2016 est.)

agriculture: 18.4%

industry: 26.6%

services: 54.9% (2016 est.)

2.2% (2017 est.)

2.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

11.2% (2017 est.)

10.9% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 147

NA%

21.9% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 26% (2016 est.)

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008 est.)

45.8 (2016 est.)

46.3 (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 37

40.2 (2010 est.)

43.6 (2003 est.)

country comparison to the world: 65

revenues: $53.4 billion

expenditures: $56.49 billion

note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2017 est.)

revenues: $173.9 billion

expenditures: $190.4 billion (2017 est.)

17.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 174

20.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 147

-1% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 60

-2% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 86

114.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

112.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt

country comparison to the world: 11

29.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

29.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 165

1 April - 31 March

calendar year

0.9% (2017 est.)

-0.5% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

10.9% (2017 est.)

7.8% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 205

1.17% (2016 est.)

1.21% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 127

5.25% (31 December 2011 est.)

15% (22 December 2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

5.4% (31 December 2017 est.)

5.35% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 136

15.2% (31 December 2017 est.)

14.74% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 42

$134.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$119.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

$122 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$108.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

$437.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$388.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

$445 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$399.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

$455.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$383.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 28

$612.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$549.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

$654.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$640 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$752.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

$188.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$219.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$195.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 36

$59.79 billion (2017 est.)

$56.5 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 9

$-38.95 billion (2017 est.)

$-32.61 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 198

$396.4 billion (2017 est.)

$361.6 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 14

$157.3 billion (2017 est.)

$150.2 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 34

machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and beverages

apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment

China 12.8%, Hong Kong 12.6%, Malaysia 10.5%, Indonesia 7.8%, US 6.8%, Japan 4.5%, South Korea 4.4% (2016)

Germany 9.8%, UK 8.2%, Iraq 5.4%, Italy 5.3%, US 4.7%, France 4.2% (2016)

$309.7 billion (2017 est.)

$278.8 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 16

$196.8 billion (2017 est.)

$191 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment

China 14.3%, Malaysia 11.4%, US 10.8%, Japan 7%, South Korea 6.1%, Indonesia 4.8% (2016)

China 12.8%, Germany 10.8%, Russia 7.6%, US 5.5%, Italy 5.2% (2016)

$266.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$246.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 12

$107.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$106.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

$482.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$504.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 26

$429.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$404.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 30

$1.158 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.096 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 10

$143.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$133.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 39

$725.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$682.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

$41.81 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$38.31 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 46

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -

1.39 (2017 est.)

1.38 (2016 est.)

1.38 (2015 est.)

1.37 (2014 est.)

1.27 (2013 est.)

Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar -

3.63 (2017 est.)

3.02 (2016 est.)

3.02 (2015 est.)

2.72 (2014 est.)

2.19 (2013 est.)

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

47.48 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 55

245.8 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 19

46.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 54

213.2 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 20

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 197

1.442 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 49

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 201

6.4 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

13.28 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 53

73.15 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

98.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 36

56.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 138

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 182

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 195

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 203

35.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 59

1.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 124

11.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 66

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 194

49,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 55

11,460 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 59

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 200

831,300 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 13

506,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

0 bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 193

388.5 million bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 54

955,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

618,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

1.34 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

943,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

1.718 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

134,900 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 39

2.153 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 3

527,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 16

0 cu m (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 194

381 million cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 73

19.73 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 43

81.35 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

250 million cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 47

624 million cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 41

12.37 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

48.43 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 7

0 cu m (1 January 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 195

18.49 billion cu m (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 77

205 million Mt (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

319 million Mt (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 20

total subscriptions: 1,998,400

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 59

total subscriptions: 11,077,559

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

total: 8,460,700

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 144 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 96

total: 75,061,699

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 93 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

general assessment: excellent service

domestic: excellent domestic facilities; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity more than 180 telephones per 100 persons; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity

international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2016)

general assessment: comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially in mobile-cellular services

domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 105 telephones per 100 persons

international: country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2016)

state controls broadcast media; 7 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting, with MediaCorp operating 11, Singapore Press Holdings, also government-linked, another 5, and another 2 controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available as is BBC; a number of Internet service radio stations are also available

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and up to 300 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; more than 1,000 private radio broadcast stations (2009)

.sg

.tr

total: 4,683,200

percent of population: 81.0% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 81

total: 46,838,412

percent of population: 58.3% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 16

number of registered air carriers: 5

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 197

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 33,290,544

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 6,154,365,275 mt-km (2015)

number of registered air carriers: 15

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 531

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 96,604,665

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,882.162 million mt-km (2015)

9V (2016)

TC (2016)

9 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 158

98 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 58

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2017)

total: 91

over 3,047 m: 16

2,438 to 3,047 m: 38

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 4 (2013)

domestic gas 3,220 km (2014); cross-border pipelines 1,122 km (2017); refined products 8 km (2013)

gas 12,603 km; oil 3,038 km (2016)

total: 3,496 km

paved: 3,496 km (includes 164 km of expressways) (2014)

country comparison to the world: 163

total: 385,754 km

paved: 352,268 km (includes 2,127 km of expressways)

unpaved: 33,486 km (2012)

country comparison to the world: 19

total: 3,558

by type: bulk carrier 592, container ship 504, general cargo 134, oil tanker 722, other 1,606 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 6

total: 1,285

by type: bulk carrier 78, container ship 50, general cargo 432, oil tanker 121, other 604 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 22

major seaport(s): Singapore

container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore (30,922,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Singapore

major seaport(s): Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca

container port(s) (TEUs): Ambarli (3,062,000), Mersin (Icel) (1,428,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Izmir Aliaga, Marmara Ereglisi

total: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2013)

20 (2013)

total: 12,008 km

standard gauge: 12,008 km 1.435-m gauge (3,216 km electrified) (2014)

country comparison to the world: 21

1,200 km (2010)

country comparison to the world: 59

3.35% of GDP (2016)

3.16% of GDP (2015)

3.11% of GDP (2014)

3.09% of GDP (2013)

3.17% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 24

1.73% of GDP (2016)

1.85% of GDP (2015)

1.9% of GDP (2014)

1.96% of GDP (2013)

2.05% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 61

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2013)

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2013)

18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2012)

21-41 years of age for male compulsory military service (in case of mobilization, up to 65 years of age); 18 years of age for voluntary service; 12-month conscript obligation for non-university graduates, 6-12 months for university graduates (graduates of higher education may perform 6 months of military service as short-term privates, or 12 months as reserve officers); conscripts are called to register at age 20, for service at 21; women serve in the Turkish Armed Forces only as officers; reserve obligation to age 41; Turkish citizens with a residence or work permit who have worked abroad for at least 3 years (1095 days) can be exempt from military service in exchange for 6,000 EUR or its equivalent in foreign currencies; a law passed in December 2014 introduced a one-time payment scheme which exempted Turkish citizens 27 and older from conscription in exchange for a payment of $8,150 (2013)

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; in the Singapore Straits there were nine attacks against commercial vessels in 2015, declining to only two attacks in 2016

the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has actively pursued the goal of asserting civilian control over the military since first taking power in 2002; the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security has been significantly reduced; the TSK leadership continues to be an influential institution within Turkey, but plays a much smaller role in politics; the Turkish military remains focused on the threats emanating from the Syrian civil war, Russia's actions in Ukraine, and the PKK insurgency; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (Kurdish discontent), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities including in Afghanistan; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system; Turkey is a NATO ally and hosts NATO's Land Forces Command in Izmir, as well as the AN/TPY-2 radar as part of NATO Missile Defense (2014)

disputes persist with Malaysia over each country’s extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; in 2017, Malaysia filed a challenge to the 2008 ruling and applied for ownership of South Ledge; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley

drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering

key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls

refugees (country of origin): 157,000 (Afghanistan); 152,000 (Iraq); 33,000 (Iran) (2017); 3,589,384 (Syria) (2018)

IDPs: 1.113 million (displaced from 1984-2005 because of fighting between the Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs are Kurds from eastern and southeastern provinces; no information available on persons displaced by development projects) (2017)

stateless persons: 780 (2016)