| Sultanhanı | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
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Sultanhanı
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Aksaray Province |
| District | Aksaray (Capital of the province) |
| Belde (town) | |
| Government | |
| • Body | Sultanhanı Municipality |
| • Mayor | |
| Elevation | 945 m (3,100 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 10,330 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Area code(s) | 0382 |
| Licence plate | 68 |
| Website | http://www.sultanhani.bel.tr/ |
Sultanhanı is a town in Aksaray Province, Turkey. It is named after the famous han within the town.
Contents |
Sultanhanı is at at . The distance to Aksaray is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) and to the south coast of Lake Tuz is 20 kilometres (12 mi).The population of the town is 10330 [1] as of 2010 making it one of the most populous towns of the province.
Presently Sultanhanı is not on one of the main highways of Turkey. But it was one of the most important stops in caravan routes during the middle ages. The 4,866 square metres (52,380 sq ft) Seljuk han (caravansai) which was commisioned by Alaattin Keykubat is considered as one of the best preserved hans of Seljuk period. [2] But after the age of discovery, like the rest of caravan routes the han was negleted. Another milestone in Sultanhanı history is the battle of Sultanhanı (also called battle of Aksaray) in 1256 where a Mongol army under the command of Baiju defeated Seljuks.[3]
Although the land around Sultanhanı is quite salty, town economy is flourishing. Main agricultural products are cereal and sugar cane, produced by mechanised agriculture. There is a sugar mill in the town Another profitable business is ancient rug and carper restoration. Some people are employed in stockbreeding.