The Turkish people also have many distinctions from the people that have lived on these lands in the past. The Turks are Muslims with foods, clothing, and traditions rooted in Central Asia as well as the Middle East. Even today these influences can be found. However, much of modern Turkish culture is rooted in the Ottoman Empire, which developed these earlier influences, while making the people more urbanized as focus turned from survival to economic and political growth and expansion. The Ottomans spread their influence to Europe, while also taking European cultural aspects back to Turkey with them.
Although the Ottomans forever linked Turkey with Europe, it wasn't until their fall from power in the early 1900s that the connection was forever forged. A liberal wave spread across the country, resulting in political changes and new laws. Islam remained important to the people, but dress and dietary restrictions were essentially abandoned. Islam was separated from politics and people had greater freedom to follow religion to the desired degree of the individual. Today Istanbul is home to alcohol, pork, and women wearing shorts and tank tops. However, many of the ethnic Kurds in the eastern part of the country dress very conservatively and refrain from alcohol and pork, of course similar Turks are in Istanbul as well.
Political changes led to vast cultural changes in much of Turkey; today the country is likely the most liberal Muslim country. In some places Turkish culture reflects Europe in style, entertainment, communication, transportation, and technology, while in other places it remains very conservative. However, the language, foods, and friendly outgoing attitude is what defines Turkish culture, no matter how liberal or conservative an individual might be.