Erdek
District and municipality in Balıkesir, Turkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Erdek is a municipality and district of Balıkesir Province, Turkey.[2] Its area is 307 km2,[3] and its population is 32,021 (2024).[4] Located on the Kapıdağ Peninsula, on the north coast of the Gulf of Erdek at the south of the Sea of Marmara, Erdek is a popular domestic holiday destination with several hotels dating back to the 1960s. The surrounding area has a rugged geology and topography with evergreen wooded areas and large olive groves. It is dominated by Mt Dindymus (782m). Erdek district also included the islands of Koyun and Paşalimanı.
Erdek | |
|---|---|
District and municipality | |
Gulf of Erdek | |
 Map showing Erdek District in Balıkesir Province | |
  Erdek Location in Turkey  Erdek Erdek (Marmara) | |
| Coordinates: 40°23′53″N 27°47′29″E | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Balıkesir |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Burhan Karışık (CHP) |
Area | 307 km2 (119 sq mi) |
| Population (2024)[1] | 32,021 |
| • Density | 104/km2 (270/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| Postal code | 10550 |
| Area code | 0266 |
| Website | www |
In the summer ferries travel from Erdek to Avşa Adası, one of the Marmara Islands in the Sea of Marmara. The harbour overlooks tiny Zeytinlik island where there is a research station devoted to olives.[5]
History
During the Hittite era it was known as Artukka.[6] Later it became a colony of Miletus.[7][8] Together with other Greek cities, it took part in the Ionian Revolt against the Persian Empire, but was burnt by the Persians; it seems unlikely that it was rebuilt in ancient times since Strabo does not mention it.[8] In the Roman period it was known as Artace.[9]
During the Ottoman period, Erdek was the centre of the Sanjak of Karasi. According to the Ottoman General Census of 1881/82–1893, the kaza of Erdek had a total population of 33,007, consisting of 29,165 Greeks, 3,070 Muslims, 300 Jews, 18 Armenians and 454 foreign citizens.[10]
In the 1960s, before Bodrum and Marmaris became popular vacation spots, Erdek was a fashionable holiday resort for Istanbul residents. The Pinar Oteli was the most popular place to stay then and is still in business today.[11]
Composition
There are 28 neighbourhoods (including villages) in Erdek District:[12]
- Alaaddin
- Aşağıyapıcı
- Atatürk
- Balıklı
- Ballıpınar
- Belkıs
- Çakılköy
- Çeltikçi
- Doğanlar
- Halitpaşa
- Hamamlı
- Harmanlı
- İlhanköy
- Karşıyaka
- Kestanelik
- Narlı
- Ocaklar
- Ormanlı
- Paşalimanı
- Poyrazlı
- Sahil
- Şahinburgaz
- Tatlısu
- Turan
- Tuzla
- Yalı
- Yukarıyapıcı
- Zeytinli
