The Aegean Region
The Aegean Region
The Aegean region, which has a population of 8,938,781 according to the 2000 census, and covers almost 11% of Turkey’s land with a surface area of approximately 79,000 km2, is the only region in Turkey which opens extensively out to the sea. 5,495,575 of the population of the region live in the cities and 3,443,206 in villages. The population growth rate is 16.29‰, which is below average when compared to Turkey’s average rate.
The Aegean region is the second most active region, after the Marmara region, in terms of industry. Primarily the textile, food and automotive industries, and machinery, spare parts and other industrial organizations are concentrated in İzmir. The oil industry is concentrated around Edremit and Ayvalık. There are sugar factories in Uşak, Kütahya and Afyon, and nitrogen factories in Kütahya.
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Asansör (The Elevator) - İZMİR |
Besides İzmir, the cotton textile industry is widespread in Uşak, Aydın, Nazilli, and especially in Denizli. Denizli is the most important textile and export center in the region. Carpet weaving is developed in Uşak, Kula, Gördes, Simav and Demirci in the inland Western Anatolian region. Afyon is known for its marble and marble production facilities. The Çamaltı salt flats in İzmir Bay are known for their highest salt yield. The region contributes to electricity production in Turkey through thermal power plants in Soma, Tunçbilek and Yatağan, and hydroelectric power plants in Kemer and Demirköprü. There is a large petroleum refinery at Aliağa nearby İzmir.
Bays, peninsulas, coves, islands and fine-sand beaches comprise the Aegean shores, which have “the most beautiful skies and the best climate in the world”, in the words of the famous historian Herodotus of Bodrum. Ancient cities famous for their theaters, temples, agoras and fortresses are encountered frequently. This region has provided the setting for innumerable mythological subjects for centuries. These cities constituted the foundations of western civilization due to the success experienced in city planning, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, architecture and arts.