Bandırma

Bandırma (from Greek: Πάνορμος, Panormos) is a city in northwestern Turkey with 113,385 inhabitants (2009 estimate) on the Sea of Marmara. Also, Bandırma is a district of Balıkesir.

The city is a commercial centre and its harbour serves as a transit point for trade between Istanbul and Izmir. There is also agriculture produced in the surrounding areas, covering products like cereals, sheep wool and meat, cattle, grain and the mineral boracite.

The city has road and rail connections with other urban centres. Balıkesir which is province centre is 90 km, Istanbul is 100 km northeast (by boat), Bursa 100 km east, İzmir 270 km southwest and Canakkale 170 km west. Also city has a seaport and military airport.

Bandırma's twin towns are Kamen, Germany and Mardin, Turkey.

History

• 13th century: Used by Christian Crusaders as a base in their operations against the Greeks and local tribes of Anatolia. At this time it was known as Panormos.
• 14th century: Conquered by the Ottoman Empire and incorporated into their kingdom.
• 1918: the last shot of WWI is fired inadvertently in Bandirma. The shell fall is marked by a monument.
• 1922: During the Turkish War of Independence, Bandirma is bombed and destroyed.

Transportation

Bandirma is one of TCDD's main seaports, therefore Bandirma sees much freight railroad traffic. Two passenger trains also operate from Bandirma to Izmir daily. These being the "6 Eylul Ekspresi", and the "17 Eylul Ekspresi". İDO also connects Bandirma with Istanbul, via ferry.

Population

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Bandırma is twinned with:

• Kamen, Germany
• Mardin, Turkey

References

1. ^ Statistical Institute

External links

• Official City Website