I’d like to know South Marmara Region better
Located on the West of Turkey, between Marmara and Aegean Geographical Regions, TR22 South Marmara Region includes Balikesir and Canakkale Provinces. Hosting Dardanelles, one of the two straits of Turkey, the region has lands on both Asian and European continents.
Balikesir and Canakkale provinces which constitute TR22 Region, offers significant historical, touristic and cultural values. Mount Ida which was the venue for many mythological events, located between the two provinces and lays along the Northern coast of the Bay of Edremit. According to Iliad and Odysseus by Homer, the Trojan War was led from the peak of Mount Ida. Urban civilization started in Canakkale and continued in other ancient cities such as Adramytteion, Antandros, Kyzikos, Daskyleion established in Balikesir 4000 years ago. The region was conquered by Turks in 11th century. Seljuk Empire started first Turkish rule over the region then Karesi Principality took over until Ottoman Age on mid-14th century.
Gallipoli Campaign has important place in the history of the Region. On 1915, Entente Powers (Allied States of WWI) sought to break through the Dardanelles. Considering the military forces of Ottomans in the Gallipoli Campaign, Balikesir had the second largest number of enlistees in the campaign. The 1915-1922 period plays an important role in the history of the region. The very first front of the War of Independence was set in Ayvalik district and Kuvayi Milliye (Turkish National Forces) was founded upon Balikesir Congress.
South Marmara is the crossroads between major logistics routes in the literal sense. Hosting many international land routes connecting Thrace to Anatolia, Eurasian Transport Links and Economic Cooperation Transport Network, as well as Maritime Routes connecting Black Sea to Aegean Sea and land, railway and air routes connecting Marmara Region to Aegean and Inner Anatolian Regions, the region connects important touristic, commercial and industrial centers. The region is located on an important position between highway network like Gebze-Orhangazi-İzmir and Kınali-Tekirdag-Canakkale-Balikesir which facilitates the interaction between these provinces.
Agriculture and animal husbandry, agro-industry, tourism and mining are the most significant sectors in regional economy. The region presents a high potential in renewable energy sector. The geographical formations affects many factors from economy to culture, from transport to means of living of the region. The agriculture is well spread to whole region while industry is developed around Bandırma-Biga districts at the north of the region. While Bay of Edremit is prominent in tourism, mining and forestry activities are important means of livelihood in inner parts.
Main agricultural products of the region are: sunflower, paddy, corn silage, paprika and tomatoes for sauce, nectarine, peach, almond, olive and olive oil and animal products: White and red meat, egg, milk and dairy products. The regional industry is based in organized industrial zones and small industrial sites. Leading sectors are: food industry, agricultural machinery, mining, forestry and wood products, cement and iron-steel industry. Large scale enterprises play an important role in the regional economy.
The region is very rich in renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biogas power. Power generation activities are carried out in many districts. Production of machinery and equipment used in renewable energy sector becomes widespread. Having coasts to two seas, the region presents significant potential for coastal tourism, historical and cultural, thermal and eco-tourism. Long coastline on both Aegean and Marmara Seas, natural blue flag beaches, a great ecosystem hosting a great variety of endemic species, natural and historical national parks, historical and cultural values constitute the sources of this great potential.
To get more information about Balikesir and Canakkale, please visit the web sites that are created by South Marmara Development Agency; www.investinbalikesir.com and www.investincanakkale.com.
