Turkey: The Country Where Empires, Markets, and Civilizations Converge

Why this territory between Asia and Europe remains, 100 years after its Republic, a strategic, cultural, and human powerhouse that every global entrepreneur should understand.

*By Patricia Contreras

There are countries you visit.And then there are those you “understand,” says Hassan Lasle, historian and expert in cultural tourism in Turkey, during a videopodcast with WoodlandStories Magazine in Istanbul.

Turkey belongs to the latter category. Not only because it is the only country in the world that officially spans two continents—Europe and Asia—but also because, for millennia, it has been one of the most decisive crossroads of power, culture, commerce, and civilization in human history.

Turkey: A Natural Geopolitical Power

“We are at the center of three continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa. Here, seas, cultures, and hearts come together,” explains Hassan.

Controlling the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, Turkey connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and has been a passageway for “empires, ideas, religions, and economies.”

A Secular Democracy in a Predominantly Muslim Country

One of the most surprising aspects for visitors:“Turkey is predominantly Muslim, but it has had a secular and democratic state since 1923,” Hassan recalls proudly.

This model was driven by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey 100 years ago. Hassan emphasizes:“Atatürk not only gave us our country, but he also gave us human rights, freedom, and equality. He is a leader who comes once every thousand years.”

A Land Where Civilization Was Born

“We are living in one of the oldest civilizations of humanity,” Hassan notes.

Excavations in the eastern part of the country have revealed civilizations dating back over 9,000 years BC, with sculptures and temples that even challenge modern technology.

“Few countries concentrate prehistory, the classical world, early Christianity, and Islam within a single territory,” he adds.

A Country You Don’t Just Visit—You Experience

Speaking about Turkey’s wonders, Hassan explains:“Cappadocia feels like another planet. Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. And Pamukkale, with its thermal waters, is a spectacle of nature.”

Each region has its own identity, climate, culture, and history. “Turkey cannot be explained; it must be experienced,” he emphasizes.

Hospitality as a Competitive Advantage

For Latin American travelers, Turkey surprises with its human warmth:“Hospitality is not a service; it is part of our identity. Here, the visitor is not a number; they are a guest,” Hassan assures.

The country has even welcomed millions of refugees and is always willing to help:“If you need us, we’ll accompany you to your hotel; even if we don’t speak the same language, it can be understood through gestures and heart.”

Safety, Diversity, and Transformative Experience

Turkey is a safe and diverse destination, rich in agriculture, history, culture, and world-class tourism.

“Those who come on recommendation almost always return. Those who visit on a cruise come back to truly know it,” Hassan says.

He closes with a message that captures the essence of his country:“Turkey cannot be explained; it is lived, felt, and you fall in love with it.”

*Patricia Contreras is a journalist with over 25 years of experience across multiple media outlets, a emphasis on Public Policy. She is the founding director of WoodlandStories Magazine.

Watch the full videopodcast soon on our YouTube channel @woodlandstoriesmagazineFollow us at www.woodlandstoriesmagazine.com