Geyve
| Geyve, Sakarya | |
|---|---|
  Geyve, Sakarya | |
| Coordinates: 40°30′00″N 30°18′00″E / 40.50000°N 30.30000°ECoordinates: 40°30′00″N 30°18′00″E / 40.50000°N 30.30000°E | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Sakarya |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Murat Kaya (AKP) |
| • Kaymakam | Idris Akbiyik |
| Area[1] | |
| • District | 727.47 km2 (280.88 sq mi) |
| Population (2012)[2] | |
| • Urban | 22,006 |
| • District | 47,782 |
| • District Density | 66/km2 (170/sq mi) |
| Post code | 54700 |
| Website | www.geyve.bel.tr |
Geyve is a town in Sakarya Province in the Marmara region of Turkey. The closest international airport is Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, 139 km from Geyve. It's the third largest town of Sakarya Province in terms of area. Geyve is located at the foot of Geyve Gorge, which is set between two mountain ranges and lies along the Sakarya River. Geyve region has an impressive green landscape and productive nature. Geyve is relatively close to many important cities in Turkey; 179 km to Istanbul, 30 km to Adapazari, 75 km to Izmit, 139 km to Bursa, 156 km to Eskisehir, 167 km to Bolu according to Google Maps.
Geography
Geyve is located at the coordinates 40° 30′ 0″ N, 30° 18′ 0″ E. The highest point of Geyve is Cine Tasi Hill at 1040 m and the town center altitude is 124 m. The third longest river in Turkey, Sakarya River runs through Geyve and it is perceived as an important inspiration of the town.
Geyve is lying down on the North Anatolian Fault System. According to historical records, many devastating earthquakes have occurred in the last two millennia along the surrounding area. A detailed study is provided at Segment Structure of the Southern Strand of the North Anatolian Fault System and Paleoseismic Behaviour of the Gemlik Fault, NW Anatolia
In recent history, on July 22, 1967, a strong, 7.2 richter scale earthquake hit Geyve and had given considerable damage to the town. On August 17, 1999, Geyve, despite the proximity to epicenter of earthquake, was not destructed as the neighbouring Adapazari and Golcuk. Unfortutanely, Turkish earthquake scientists had made several worrying reports that the next expected Marmara earthquake could impact Geyve and Akyazi region as there had been an additional fault under Geyve which had not broken in the last 300 years. Some of the Turkish media reports regarding the statements can be found at the following links; http://medyabar.com/haber/33550/geyve-kiriginda-deprem-kacinilmaz.aspx, http://www.aksam.com.tr/guncel/prof-ercanayni-buyuklukte-deprem-olabilir/haber-236144
Economy
Geyve's economy is centered in agriculture as it has a productive agricultural land. It has a mild transitional climate, carrying mixed characteristics of Mediterranean, Black Sea and Inland Anatolian climates. Geyve's climate, the Sakarya River, and its productive land allow the varieties of fruits, vegetables and grains to be produced in Geyve. Sakarya River is the main vessel of town's agriculture. Especially, the quince, cherry, apple, peach and grape of Geyve are quite well known in local and Istanbul markets.
Since the end of 1990s, Geyve has been a popular trekking destination, presenting different routes especially with its proximity to Istanbul.
Alifuatpasa Train Station was serving Geyve for over 100 years until February 2012 when Ankara-Istanbul railway was closed for Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway construction. Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway, which is expected to be finished by 2014, will run through Geyve. Even though it is not certain, the high-speed train is expected to stop at the neighboring towns, Pamukova and Arifiye.
History
There is not enough scientific evidence available regarding the first settlers of Geyve. The ruins around the region do not survive, but it's almost certain that Geyve is an historical settlement dating back to thousands years. There are different claims that its origin goes to 4000 BC, and even some sources to 10000 BC.[3] Geyve region has been inhabited by Phrygians, Hitites, Lydians, Romans, Armenians, Byzantines, Turks and many other civilizations since prehistoric times. Many historical evidence from Byzantine and Roman Empire era have been discovered in Geyve.[4] Geyve was known to be one of the early Ottoman conquests. It was conquered by Osman Gazi, first Ottoman Sultan in 14th century from Byzantine Empire.
The demography of the town has been significantly impacted by the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. Before 1923, the town has considerable Rum (Eastern Roman, Greek) and Armenian population along with Turks. Several old photographs and evidence have been collected by a local researcher/collector in the following link.[5]
The origin of Geyve's name is controversial. Evliya Celebi, famous Turkish-Ottoman traveller, in his Seyahatname states that Geyve's name comes from the Byzantine princess name Gekve.
Geyve has also been important as it was on the historical Silk Road or Silk Route. Geyve-Tarakli road can still be accessed even though, the road lost its importance.
Geyve was one of the symbolic towns in Turkish War of Indepence. Geyve Gorge had a strategic importance during the War of Independence. Alifuatpaşa, Geyve is one of the first resistance fronts of the war, commanded and led by Ali Fuat Cebesoy against British Army heading to Anatolia. The founder of Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, visited Geyve two times in 1920 and 1922 during the War of Independence.[6]
Landmarks
The most significant landmark of the town,the old bridge over Sakarya River in Alifuatpasa, was constructed in the era of Sultan Bayezid II of Ottoman Empire. The bridge was kept well by Ottoman Sultans as the bridge is strategically located on the Silk Road.One of the oldest photographs of the bridge (from around 1888) by a Swedish photographer, Guillaume Berggren, is depicted in the National Gallery of Canada.
Another significant landmark is Elvanbey Imarethanesi,(Public Kitchen) which was constructed in 1451 by Elvanbey. It was told to be serving to the travelling dervishes of Anatolia. The building was used as Geyve Public Library between 1969 and 2013. In 2013, the building was converted to museum.
The neighboring town of Tarakli presents the examples of Ottoman houses that presents examples of Ottoman style wooden houses. The well known Lake Sapanca is 32 km from Geyve.
Notable People
One of the most prominent generals of Turkish War of Independence, Ali Fuat Cebesoy was buried in Alifuatpasa, Geyve. In accordance with his will, he was buried to the backyard of a mosque near Geyve train station, where the first shots of the Turkish War of Independence were fired, when he died at the age of 86 in 1968.
The former coach of Fenerbahce S.K., Aykut Kocaman and the former Fenerbahce S.K. president Tahsin Kaya was born in Geyve.
Roses of Geyve (Geyve'nin Gulleri) was cited in the famous poem of Sezai Karakoc's Mona Roza.
References
- ↑ "Area of regions (including lakes), km²". Regional Statistics Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. 2002. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
- ↑ "Population of province/district centers and towns/villages by districts - 2012". Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
- ↑ http://www.geyve.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1513&Itemid=55
- ↑ http://www.geyveyoresi.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Geyveliler-Y.K.D-Geyve-Tarihine-Sahip-%C3%87%C4%B1k%C4%B1yor-Roma-ve-Bizans8.jpg
- ↑ http://www.geyveyoresi.com/?s=Fehmi+B%C3%B6l%C3%BCkba%C5%9F
- ↑ http://www.domatesdiyari.somee.com/htmls/geyve.html
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