The lands of Turkey are located at a point where the three continents making up the old world. Asia, Africa and Europe are closest to each other, and Turkey  straddle the point where Europe and Asia meet. Geographically, Turkey is located in the northern half of the hemisphere at a point that is about halfway between the equator and the north pole, at a longitude of 36 degrees N to 42 degrees N and a latitude of 26 degrees E to 45 degrees E. Turkey is roughly rectangular in shape and is 1,660 kilometers wide.

Because of Turkey's geographical location the mainland of Anatolia has always found favour throughout history, and is the birthplace of many great civilizations. Turkey has also been prominent as a centre of commerce because of its land connections to three continents and the sea surrounding it on three sides.