Comparison of Turkey and South Sudan - Case Study Example

Comparison of Turkey and South Sudan Comparison of Turkey and South Sudan The republic of Turkey is found in the Asian continent to the west. Turkey was declared a sovereign republic on the 9th of October 1982. This country is bordered by a total of eight countries including Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia as well as Armenia. Other countries bordering the republic of Turkey include Iran, Iraq as well as Syria among others. The republic of Turkey thrives under a democratic form of government guided by a very superior constitution that was initiated on 7th November of 1982. The country also has a very rich history on the basis of its culture and traditions. The language most spoken in this republic is Turkish and a greater proportion of the population is of Islamic religion. It is of crucial significance to note that the country of Turkey has realized a growing economy for several decades. This follows its political stability as well as diplomatic initiatives that have helped develop good reputation across the world as well as enjoy good international relations. This has led to recognition of the republic of Turkey as a regional power in that area. The country is having an area of approximately 783,562 km2, with a population of 77, 695, 904 persons according to the results of the 2014 Census1. On the other hand, the republic of South Sudan is one of the youngest nations in the world. South Sudan is amongst the countries found in the African continent. The country got its independence in the year 20112. The independence of South Sudan was attained following a referendum that passed overwhelmingly, with a total of 98.83 % of the votes. This followed a separation from the then Republic of Sudan. Thus, the separation led to the emergence of two countries, Sudan as well as South Sudan. Sudan was the original country before separation. It is of crucial significance to note that the republic of South Sudan is one of the nations globally endowed with several natural resources. Some of these natural resources include the presence of oil deposits in the region, as well as, natural gas deposits. It is critical to understand the fact that before the independence of the republic of South Sudan, the region was severely affected by increased and persistent cases of civil wars ever since the Sudanese government came into power. In addition to the above, the region was also subjected to abject poverty, as well as politically discriminated upon in relation to developmental infrastructure. These were some of the reasons that precipitated the move for secession of the region of South Sudan from Sudanese government. However, it is important to note that currently, the country enjoys a stabilizing form of economy despite of a few challenges emanating from wars within. In addition, the country of South Sudan has unique cultural, historical as well as political systems. Moreover, the country of Sudan hosts a number of ethnic communities, including the Dinka, Nuer, Luo, as well as Zande. Other ethnic groups include the Bari as well as Murle3. This paper is going to compare the two countries namely Turkey as well as South Sudan. The comparison is going to focus on the physical geography, cultural as well as historical backgrounds of the two nations. In addition, the comparison is going to focus on political and economic aspects of the two countries, involving the government policies and practices amongst the two nations. Moreover, the paper is going to compare the two countries on the basis of climatic and environmental aspects, population, poverty as well as migratory patterns. Furthermore, the comparison is going to focus on the inequalities as well as developmental differences between the two countries. Comparison of Turkey and South Sudan on the Basis of Physical Geography The comparison based on physical geography of the two nations is going to focus on the area, location, drainage patterns, the nature and types of vegetation found in the regions as well as the landscape or terrain of the two regions. Moreover, the physical geography is going to capture the biodiversity found in the two countries. South Sudan is located between latitudes 30 and 130N. In addition, the country is found between longitudes 240 and 360 E4. on the other hand, Turkey is located between latitudes 350 and 430 N. The country is also located between longitudes 250 and 450 E5. It is important to note that the republic of Turkey is slightly larger than the republic of South Sudan. For instance, the republic of Turkey covers an area of approximately 755688 square kilometers whereas the republic of South Sudan covers an area of approximately 619745 square kilometers6. In terms of drainage patterns, it is critical to note that South Sudan is land locked country7. This means that the country is neither surrounded by a lake nor any sea. However, Turkey is not land locked because it is surrounded by seas. Some of the seas bordering Turkey include Black Sea, Aegean Sea as well as Mediterranean Sea8. It is also crucial to note that the Sea of Marmara is found in Turkey to the northwestern parts. In addition, the republic of Turkey also contains several lakes. Some of these lakes include Lake Van. This is the largest lake in the republic of Turkey. Other than lakes and seas, the republic of Turkey also has several rivers. Some of the rivers found in Turkey include River Tigris, Euphrates as well as River Aras. However, the country of South Sudan, being landlocked, lacks lakes as well as seas. But it has some rivers forming its drainage patterns. One of the rivers found in South Sudan is River White Nile. South Sudan also has swamps as some of the drainage patterns in the region. Relevant to the landscape features and terrain, it is important to note that Turkey has plateaus, coastal plains as well as mountains. One of the mountains found in Turkey includes Mount Ararat. On the same note, South Sudan also has floodplains, high altitude plateaus as well as escarpments as some of the landscape features. In terms of vegetation, it is important to note that South Sudan has forest reserves, grasslands, wooded and grassy vegetations as well as several wetlands. Turkey also has several wetlands, mountainous vegetations, wooded and grassland vegetation in some regions. The two regions also have several biodiversity9. Comparison of Turkey and South Sudan on the Basis of Cultural, Historical, Political and Economic Aspects The culture of the South Sudan has been massively influenced by its neighbors. The South Sudanese value their culture and traditions, involving their languages, sports, music as well as dance. They always mark and celebrate important days like the Christmas and the New Year festivities10. Some of the sports most valued in South Sudan include football as well as athletics. On the other hand, Turkey also has a rich culture and traditions. The culture of Turkey has been majorly influenced by the Western states. Some of these include Turkish painting, literature as well as dance11. They also have a rich history relevant to their folklores as well as music. The people of Turkey also mark and celebrate major events, festivities as well as important days, including New Year Festivities12. Just like the republic of South Sudan, the most popular sport in Turkey is football. On historical perspectives, it is important to note that the region of South Sudan has mostly experienced inter-regional migrations from 15th to 19th centuries13. Relevant to the political systems, it is important to note that the two countries are democratic nations with a unitary structure of governance and administration. Both South Sudan and Turkey have three administrative powers comprising of the executive, legislative as well as judiciary. Both Turkey and South Sudan consider the constitution as the supreme law of the land. Both Turkey and South Sudan are led by the President. In terms of economy, it is critical to note that the two countries differ significantly on the basis of the economic strengths. The economy of the republic of Turkey is far much higher than that of the South Sudan. Turkey is one of the largest world economies, and commands the 17th position in terms of global ranking relevant to both nominal GDP and GDP by PPP14. This superior economic strength of Turkey is driven by the robust industries, including motor vehicle industry, banking sectors, electronics as well as construction sectors among others. The employment rate in the country of Turkey is also higher than that of South Sudan, with agriculture providing roughly a quarter of the employment in the country. However, it is important to note that South Sudan also has a relatively high economy. However, the employment rates in South Sudan are still lower than that of Turkey due to the fact that the country is still young. Thus, it has not attained the status of developing and running several industries like Turkey. The economy of South Sudan is mostly driven by the oil reserves in the country. However, the conflicts over such oil fields with the country of Sudan have prompted unrest and civil wars, thereby threatening the economy of South Sudan. Comparison of Turkey and South Sudan on the Common Challenges South Sudan has tropical type of climate. The climate is characterized by rainy seasons, as well as high incidences of humidity at some times. The region also sometime experiences extended cases of drought. Global climate change has been an issue in this region15. This has shifted led to modification of rainfall patterns as well as influenced the drought in certain measures. This has led to adoption of several strategies to cope with the adversities brought forth by the climate changes. In connection to the above, other issues of environmental concern include environmental pollution. This has been one of the environmental issues that have affected the region for a very long time. Environmental pollution takes the form of solid wastes, air pollution as well as water pollution16. The population of South Sudan is about 10 million people. This population has been affected by several social issues including poverty, civil wars, social inequalities as well as developmental imbalance17. The abject poverty in the region has been precipitated by the increased conflicts that characterize the region of South Sudan. On the other hand, Turkey has a temperate Mediterranean form of climate. This is associated with wet summers as well as cold winters. The interior parts of Turkey experience continental type of climate. The issues of climate change have also affected the region in certain measures, including shifts in precipitation patterns. The issue of environmental pollution is also a problem in the region of Turkey, and it takes the form of solid wastes as well as pollution of water bodies, including presence of plastics in the oceans18. The population of Turkey is larger than that of South Sudan. However, the issue of poverty in the region is not as pronounced and severe as that experienced in South Sudan. Social inequality and underdevelopment experienced in South Sudan is higher than that experienced in Turkey. Bibliography Akat, Asaf Savas. 2006. The Republic of Turkey a rising star in Europe. Paris: RLC. Akçam, Taner. 2004. From empire to republic: Turkish nationalism and the Armenian genocide. New York: Zed Books. Akçay, Belgin. 2012. Turkeys accession to the European Union: political and economic challenges. Aydın-Düzgit, Senem. 2013. Global Turkey in Europe: political, economic, and foreign policy dimensions of Turkeys evolving relationship with the EU. Roma: Nuova cultura. Brauch, Hans Günter. 2011. Coping with global environmental change, disasters and security: threats, challenges, vulnerabilities and risks. Berlin: Springer. Brennan, Shane and Herzog, Marc. Turkey and the Politics of National Identity: Social, Economic and Cultural Transformation. Retrieved on 28th April 2015 from http://www.ibtauris.com/Books/Society%20%20social%20sciences/Society%20%20cultu re%20general/Social%20groups/Ethnic%20studies/Ethnic%20minorities%20%20multicu ltural%20studies/Turkey%20and%20the%20Politics%20of%20National%20Identity%20 Social%20Economic%20and%20Cultural%20Transformation.aspx?menuitem=%7BEA6 9BEAB-48EF-405B-85E6-49507B3910BF%7D Briney, Amanda. (2011). Geography of South Sudan. Retrieved on 28th April 2015 from http://geography.about.com/od/sudanmaps/a/south-sudan-geography.htm Bryant, John. 2011. The Environmental Challenges faced by South Sudan. Retrieved on 18th April 2015 from http://blog.results.org.uk/2011/08/23/john-bryant-the-environmental- challenges-faced-by-south-sudan/ LeRiche, Matthew, and Matthew Arnold. 2013. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. Lokosang, L. B. 2010. South Sudan: the case for independence & learning from mistakes. [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris. Lupai, Jackob. Environmental Sustainability for Development in South Sudan. Retrived on 18th April 2015 from http://www.southsudannewsagency.com/opinion/articles/environmental- sustainability-for-development National Climate Change Strategy. Republic of Turkey: Climte Change Strategy 2010-2020. Retrieved on 18th April 2015 from http://www.dsi.gov.tr/docs/iklim- degisikligi/ulusal_iklim_de%C4%9Fi%C5%9Fikli%C4%9Fi_strateji_belgesi_eng.pdf?sf vrsn=0 Sansal, Burak. ( 2014). Turkey’s Physical Geography. Retrieved on 28th April 2015 from http://www.allaboutturkey.com/cografya.htm Zürcher, Erik J. 2005. Turkey: a modern history. London [u.a.]: Tauris. Read More