Industry: Industry, which has always been considered to be the key sector of the economy, takes the lead in this development process. Especially after the liberalization movements, it showed a remarkable growth, and level of production in this sector reached the world-wide standards. Among the several sub-sectors of the Turkish industrial sector, there exist the defense, electronics, iron and steel, automotive, glass and sugar industries. The cement industry plays an important role in the country holding a high-ranking position in world production. The textiles and clothing sub-sector is another advanced branch, and Turkey, as a major cotton producer, increases its exports of textile products every year. Processing of agricultural products, production of agricultural machinery, and the fertilizer industry are to be mentioned here, while they relate to another main sector of the Turkish economy, namely agriculture.

Agriculture : Turkey, as it is evident from its being one of the few countries in the world that is self-sufficient in food, is a main producer of agricultural products. Provided by its suitable land and climate, this country has a great capacity to grow many kinds of crops. Historically, the agricultural sector has been Turkey’s largest employer and a major contributor to the GNP. However, as the country has developed, the relative importance of agriculture has declined, while the position of industry and the service sector has increased. From 1980 to 1999, the share of agricultural products in exports declined from 57 to 10 percent, while industrial exports rose from 36 to 88 percent, signaling a wholesale shift from an agrarian to an industrial economy. Nowadays agriculture accounts for less than 20% of the GNP, although it employs well over half of the national labor force. Agricultural production is generally carried out by small family enterprises in Turkey. 10% of the farm land belongs to the large enterprises and 90% to smaller concerns. 70% of the cultivated land produces grain with wheat ranking as the first. Wheat is common all over the country except north. Barley ranks as second, corn is third. Corn requires humid weather conditions during summer time, so the Black Sea Region is very suitable for its growth. Vegetables account for 60% of agricultural production. Lentils, chickpeas and beans are common. Broad beans and peas also grow in Turkey but on a smaller basis. Chickpeas grow in Central Anatolia, broad beans in western parts and lentils especially in Southeastern Anatolia. The growing of potatoes has recently increased. Industrial products such as cotton, flax, sesame seeds and opium poppies have been grown for a long time in Turkey, but since the industrial developments after World War I new industrial vegetables such as sugar beet, sunflower seed and tea have also been produced. Tobacco is grown in the Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea Regions. Soybeans are grown in the Mediterranean. Many kinds of fruit are grown in most parts of the country.

Animal husbandry has a considerable potential in Turkey. In parts of the country where agriculture and farming are limited because of the land shape, people make their living with animals, especially in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Generally, traditional techniques are used, and the results are not much satisfactory when compared to modern countries. Animal husbandry is carried out as part of the agricultural operations and the share of animal products in total agricultural exports is relatively high.

Fishing, which has been a perennial operation in this country of rich water resources. Unfortunately, because of the primitive techniques that are used, production and consumption of seafood per person is below the world average. Mostly fishing is made in the black sea followed by the Marmara, Aegean and the Mediterranean. Anchovy, small mackerel and bonito are the most common fish in Turkey. The major freshwater fish are carp and trout. Besides fish, mussels and shrimps are also abundant. Over fishing and water pollution are the major problems for the fishing industry. UP

Forestry: Large areas in the South, West and Northwest are covered by Mediterranean vegetation, consisting mainly of thick, scrubby underbrush in the lowlands and deciduous or coniferous forests at higher altitudes up to the timberline. The humid northern margins of the country are the most densely wooded regions of Turkey. On the eastern Black Sea coast there are subtropical forests. The Anatolian interior is a region of steppes. Forests of mostly oak and coniferous trees exist only on the elevated areas.The forest areas comprise of 25% of the total area of Turkey. 99% of the forests belong to the state. Forests in Turkey are very rich regarding plant types. As a country with different climates and different ecosystems, Turkey has a tremendously rich flora and fauna.

The number of species of flowers in Turkey is approximately 9,000, out of which 3,000 are endemic, whereas in Europe there are 11,500 species.

Apart from these dominating sectors, there are other basic branches offering production of either goods or services. The beverages and food sector is leading with beer, wine and foodstuffs production.

The mining sector is one, with the principal minerals of coal, iron, lead, chrome, aluminum, gold, silver, mercury, zinc, copper, bauxite and sulfur being extracted and processed. Industrial raw materials include asbestos and phosphate. Energy raw materials are coals, uranium, oil and geothermal sources. UP

Energy production (lumber and petroleum products) construction and transportation are other important areas, each continuing a steady progress.

Tourism: Another considerably large sector of the Turkish economy is tourism. As a country of uniquely beautiful natural assets and vast historical treasures, Turkey constitutes a perfect center for touristy activities. There exists every kind of opportunity for every type of holiday-maker, due to the richness of the land with respect to its geographical and climatic characteristics granted by nature. With its enormously diverse natural figures, ranging from high mountains to extensive coasts, from wide green forests to broad lakes, this country possesses great resources in the field of tourism. Consequently, investments in modern and large capacity touristy establishments, are being made to put this potential into good use. Hotels, motels and holiday villages of high standards, offer services in all touristy areas with their high quality facilities. The establishment of an infrastructure for the training of qualified tourism personnel constitutes another investment area, and training programs are carried out at the newly established tourism centers serving this purpose and increasing the number of professional personnel. As a result of all these processes, Turkey has achieved the goal of providing the high level services suitable to the needs and wishes of foreign tourists. With the promotion policies being pursued and further arrangements in the sector, tourism will continue to rapidly increase its share in the Turkish economy.