The pace of change and innovation in the modern world, which would have been unimaginable just a few generations ago, has motivated nations facing a range of different problems to define their identities. In the context of this search for identity, our country, too, has sometimes become the focal point of multi-faceted new relations. As Turkey's responsibilities have increased within this web of new relations, the need to reevaluate our natural and cultural heritage in the course of the new probing into identity has become more pressing than ever before. This situation has inevitably imposed new obligations on Turkey's leading institutions. The quality and diversity of our natural and cultural legacy, its prominent place in the story of world civilization, have increased these obligations still further. The need for mutual understanding between the countries of the world, primarily in the cultural sphere, has been felt more and more keenly. While this has had undoubted benefits, the corresponding deterioration, both in Turkey and the rest of the world, has aroused environmental and cultural concern other respects, bringing increased awareness of the need for conservation. The rapid rise in high quality publications is a concrete illustration of this development. Our bank has for several years focused on a little known dimension to our unique cultural legacy, and contributed as far as possible to acquainting the public with Turkey in all its aspects. The interest shown in our cultural publications which have each filled significant gaps in this field dearly indicate this. This comprehensive book entitled "Turkey, the Crossroads of Civilizations" brings readers the viewpoints of scholars, experts and photographers. At a time when interest in Turkey is rising fast, our Bank continues this policy with a new publication.

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