The
Turkic peoples are a collection of
ethnic groups that live in northern, eastern, central, and western Asia, northwestern China, and parts of eastern Europe. They speak languages belonging to the
Turkic language family. They share, to varying degrees, certain cultural traits and historical backgrounds. The term
Turkic represents a broad
ethno-linguistic group of peoples including existing societies such as the
Turkish people,
Azerbaijanis,
Chuvashes,
Kazakhs,
Tatars,
Kyrgyz,
Turkmens,
Uyghurs,
Uzbeks,
Bashkirs,
Qashqai,
Gagauz,
Altai,
Khakas,
Tuvans,
Yakuts,
Crimean Karaites,
Krymchaks,
Karakalpaks,
Karachays,
Balkars,
Nogais and as well as
past civilizations such as
Yenisei Kirghiz,
Dingling,
Tiele,
Chuban,
Pannonian Avars,
Göktürks,
Bulgars,
Kumans,
Kipchaks,
Turgeshes,
Khazars,
Seljuk Turks,
Ottoman Turks,
Mamluks,
Timurids,
Khiljis, and possibly
Huns,
Xiongnu,
Wusun,
Tauri and the
Tuoba.