Derinkuyu
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| Derinkuyu | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Turkey |
| Region | Central Anatolia |
| Province | Nevşehir |
| Government | |
| - Governor | Murat Duru |
| - Mayor | İbrahim Ertaş |
| Area | |
| - District | 445 km² (171.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,300 m (4,265 ft) |
| Population (2000)[1] | |
| - District | 24,631 |
| - Density | 55.35/km² (143.4/sq mi) |
| - Urban | 11,092 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| - Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 50xxx |
| Area code(s) | 0384 |
| Licence plate | 50 |
| Website: www.derinkuyu.gov.tr | |
Derinkuyu is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 24,631 of which 11,092 live in the town of Derinkuyu.[1][2] The district covers an area of 445 km² (172 sq mi),[3] and the average elevation is 1,300 m (4,265 ft), with the highest point being Mt. Ertaş at 1,988 m (6,522 ft).
Located in Cappadocia, Derinkuyu is notable for its large multi-level underground city (Derinkuyu Underground City), which is a major tourist attraction. The historical region of Cappadocia, where Derinkuyu is situated, contains several historical underground cities, carved out of a unique geological formation, and were largely used by early Christians as hiding places. They are not generally occupied. Over 200 underground cities at least two levels deep have been discovered in the area between Kayseri and Nevşehir, with around 40 of those comprised of at least three levels or more. The troglodyte cities at Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are two of the best examples of underground dwellings.
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[edit] History
The oldest written source about underground cities is the writings of Xenophon. In his Anabasis he writes that the people living in Anatolia had excavated their houses underground, living well in accommodations large enough for the family, domestic animals, and supplies of stored food.[4]
Derinkuyu Underground City provided a refuge for the region's inhabitants through the ages, for early Christians as well as possibly earlier dwellers, to Greeks hiding from the raids of the Umayyad Arab and Abbasid armies. The cities contained food stores, kitchens, stalls, churches, wine and oil presses, ventilation shafts, wells and a religious school. The Derinkuyu underground city has seven floors and a depth of 85 m and could have sheltered thousands of persons.
[edit] See also
- Avanos
- Cappadocia
- Churches of Göreme, Turkey
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Eskigümüş Monastery
- Ihlara Valley
- Kaymaklı Underground City
- Mokissos
- Özkonak Underground City
- Zelve Monastery
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Turkish Statistical Institute. Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey (XLS) (Turkish). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ GeoHive. Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units (English). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ Statoids. Statistical information on districts of Turkey (English). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ Xen. An. 4.5.24-7.
[edit] References
- Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. Geographical information on Derinkuyu, Turkey (English). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- Governorship of Derinkuyu, Turkey. General information on Derinkuyu, Nevşehir (Turkish). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
[edit] External links
- District governor's official website (Turkish)
- District municipality's official website (Turkish)
- Map of Derinkuyu district
- Administrative map of Derinkuyu district
- Derinkuyu with pictures and info (English)
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