Troy, Troian Horse

The Aegean Region is the only region in Turkey which opens extensively to the sea. It covers some 11 percent of Turkey's land with a surface area of approximately 79,000 km2. The region, which is in the west of Anatolia, takes its name from the adjacent sea. Izmir, Aydin, Manisa and Kutahya Provinces, and Usak Province, excluding some small sections, are completely within the borders of the region. Some sections of Mugla, Denizli and Afyon Provinces are included in the Mediterranean or Central Anatolia Regions. In the same manner, the Aegean shores of Balikesir Province are in the Marmara Region, and some counties of Bursa Province are included in the Aegean Region.

The Aegean Region is in second place after the Marmara Region in industrial activities. Textiles, food and automotive industries are in the lead, with machinery, spare parts and other industrial organizations concentrated in Izmir, the oil industry is concentrated around Edremit and Ayvalik. There are sugar factories in Usak, Kutahya and Afyon, and nitrogen factories in Kutahya. Besides Izmir, cotton textiles are widespread in Usak, Aydin, Nazilli, and especially in Denizli. Denizli is the most important textiles center in the region and they are exported from here. Carpet weaving is developed in Usak, Kula, Gordes, Simav and Demirci in the Inner Western Anatolia sections. Afyon is known for its marble and marble production facilities. The Camalti Saltern is the most important salt production center in Turkey. The region contributes to the electricity production in Turkey through thermal power plants in Soma, Tuncbilek and Yatagan, and hydroelectric power plants in Kemer and Demirkopru. There is a large oil refinery at Aliaga near Izmir.

Cultivated and planted lands cover a large area in the Aegean Region. Fruits and vegetables are important in the Inner Western Anatolia section. More than half of Turkey's tobacco production comes from the Aegean Region. The share of the region in the total production of cotton in Turkey is close to one-third. The seedless grapes of the Gediz Plain which are dried and sold domestically and especially exported abroad, and the figs of the Great Menderes Plain, and the olive and olive oil production of the Edremit Bay contribute considerably to the economy of the region. The region produces more than one third of the grapes and four-fifths of the figs in Turkey. A total of 48 percent of the olive trees in Turkey are in this region. Citrus fruits are among the important export items of the region.

Tourism is also very developed in the Aegean Region. It contributes considerably to the economy of the region. Throughout the Aegean shores which have "the most beautiful skies and the best climate in the world" (according to the famous historian Herodotus of Bodrum) bays, peninsulas, coves, islands and fine sandy beaches follow one another. Ancient cities famous for their theaters, temples, agoras and fortresses are encountered at every step taken in the region, which has lived intimately with innumerable mythological subjects for centuries. These cities constituted the foundation of the Western civilization with their successful performances realized in the tunnel of time in the fields of city planning, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, architecture and art.

The Famous Cities of the Ancient Eras
The Southern Aegean Region is one of the most important tourist regions in Turkey with beautiful holiday towns and famous ancient cities. Two of the seven wonders of the ancient world are in this region. These are the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum of King Mausolus at Bodrum.

The province of Aydin on the shores of the Aegean is also surrounded by ancient cities. Among these ancient cities are Trolles, Alinda, Alabanda, Nysa, Magnesia and Priene, which was one of the first planned cities in history, Miletus in which the famous mathematician Tales lived, Didim with its magnificent Temple of Apollo, Herakleia and Aphrodisias. Aphrodisias is one of the most magnificent of the ancient cities. The city which was constructed completely of marble is famous throughout the world for its sculptures. There is the Stadium, Temple of Aphrodite, Odeon, Hadrianus Bath, Agora, Theater and Theater Baths at the city. The Aphrodisias Museum is one of the museums in Turkey with the most beautiful works of art.

On the Aegean shores, the town of Bodrum, which shares its name with the peninsula on which it is located, is an important yachting center with white Mediterranean architecture. The Gulet Model, a type of schooner, is from Bodrum and is liked and sought after in all the Mediterranean countries for yacht tourism. Bodrum, which has heavy yacht traffic, has marinas and slips at which all the needs of the yachts can be accommodated. Every year, the "Bodrum Cup" sailboat races are held in Bodrum. The streets of Bodrum allow everyone to experience pleasant excitements and offer various holiday activities and surprises. The nightlife is very colorful. The Mausoleum Monument in Bodrum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, belongs to Mausolus, the King of Caria in the fourth century B.C. However, only the remains of the foundations can be seen today. The location of the ancient theater is exquisite and all of Bodrum can be seen from it.

The Datca Peninsula is Turkey's narrowest and longest peninsula extending towards the Aegean Sea. The famous ancient city of Knidos, the center of culture and art in the ancient eras, is on the tip of the peninsula. The city became famous for the Statue of Aphrodite, carved by Praxiteles the eminent sculptor, in the fourth century B.C., but the statue could not be found, in spite of all the efforts made. However, there is a good replica of the statue at the Vatican Museum in Rome.

The Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods.

Whether you prefer idyllic fishing harbours, popular holiday villages or the remains of ancient civilizations attesting to more than 5,000 years of history, culture and mythology, this region offers a holiday with something for nature lovers, sun worshippers, photographers, sports enthusiasts, sailors and archeologists. Along the whole length of the coast, accommodation to suit every taste and price range can be found.

Yachting in Fethiye, Mugla

THE AEGEAN INTERIOR

Inland from the Aegean Sea, the fertile soil has endured the passage of many important early civilizations. Today the remains of these cultures can still be seen in the countryside as well as in the cities, towns and villages. The more recent legacy of Ottoman rule is apparent in the well-preserved, traditional, domestic Turkish architecture and Ottoman Mosques. Leisure- resorts have been built around the region's hot springs, and can accommodate those seeking the pleasurable and beneficial effects of the thermal springs.