Eskişehir

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Eskişehir
timezone= EET
utc_offset=+2


map_caption =Location of Eskişehir within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Eskişehir


image_caption = Tepebaşı neighborhood in Eskişehir
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
population_total = 595157
population_urban = 570825
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes = [http://report.tuik.gov.tr/reports/rwservlet?adnks=&report=turkiye_il_koy_sehir.RDF&p_il1=26&p_kod=2&desformat=html&ENVID=adnksEnv Tuik.gov] tr icon]
population_density_km2 = 194.03
area_total_km2 = 2678
latd = 39
latm = 47
latNS = N
longd = 30
longm = 31
longEW = E
elevation_m = 792
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 26xxx
area_code = 0222
blank_info = 26
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Kadir Çalışıcı
website = [http://www.eskisehir.gov.tr/ www.eskisehir.gov.tr]

Eskişehir ("eskē'shehēr", _tr. Eskişehir, "Old City"; Latin: "Dorylaeum"; Greek: Δορύλαιον, Dorylaion) is a city in northwest Turkey and the capital district of Eskişehir Province. According to 2007 census, population of the district is 595,157 of which 570,825 live in the city of Eskişehir. [ [http://www.eskisehir.gov.tr/nufus.asp TC Eskişehir Valiliği – Nüfus Durumu] tr icon] The city is located on the bank of Porsuk River, 792 m above sea level, where it overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley. In the nearby hills one can find hot springs. The city is on theconvert|250|km|mi|0|abbr=on west of Ankara, convert|350|km|mi|0|abbr=on southeast of Istanbul and convert|90|km|mi|0|abbr=on northeast of Kütahya. The province covers an area of convert|2678|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on. [cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html|title=Statistical information on districts of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-12|author=Statoids|language=English]

History

The name Eskişehir literally means "Old City" in Turkish, although the locational suffix "şehir" is derived from the Persian word "shahr" (Persian: شهر), meaning "city". Indeed the city was founded by the Phrygians in about 1000 BC. Many Phrygian artifacts and sculptures can still be found in its Archeological Museum. There is also a museum of meerschaum stone, whose production remains still notable, used to make high quality meerschaum pipes. In the fourth century AD the city moved about ten km northeast, from Karadja Hissar to Shehir Euyuk.

Whenever it was mentioned by ancient geographers, the city was described as one of the most beautiful in Anatolia.

As with many towns in Anatolia, Christianity arrived after Constantine the Great made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. Beginning in the 4th century, records exist of bishops holding office in Eskişehir. The city was known as Dorylaeum, then. One of these bishops, Eusebius, was heavily involved in shaping the evolving dogma of the church.

Economy

Modern-day Eskişehir is one of Turkey's foremost industrial cities. Traditionally dependent on flour-milling and brickyards, the city expanded with the building of railway workshops in 1894 for work on the Berlin-Baghdad Railway. Eskişehir was also the site of Turkey's first aviation industry (Aeronautical Supply Maintenance Centre) and its air base is the headquarters of Turkey's First Tactical Air Force, on NATO's southern flank during the Cold War.

Eskişehir is one of the largest industrial centres of Turkey, with several modern industries, producing trucks, home appliances, railway locomotives, fighter aircraft engine, agricultural equipment, textiles, brick, cement, chemicals, processed meerschaum and refined sugar.

Attractions

Most of Eskişehir was rebuilt after the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1922). It is a well-functioning attractive place, but with few old attractions. One exception is the Kursunlu Camii Mosque.huh Near Eskişehir lies the site of the ancient Phrygian city of Dorylaeum. Eskişehir is noted for its hot sulphur springs.

Education

There are two universities in Eskişehir. These are Anadolu University and Eskişehir Osmangazi University. The current Metropolitan Mayor of Eskişehir Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen was formerly the rector of Anadolu University.

Culture

The city has a significant population of Crimean Tatars. It also attracted ethnic Turks emigrating from Bulgaria and Romania who contributed to the development of the city's metalworking industries.

Sister cities

Notable natives

* Battal Gazi - 8th century Muslim saint buried in Seyitgazi
* Yunus Emre - 13th century Turkish folk poet
* Sheik Edebali - 13th century religious leader, spiritual founder of the Ottoman Empire
* Behiç Erkin - Turkish Schindler born in İstanbul, buried in Eskişehir train station courtyard
* Cüneyt Arkın - Film star
* Serpil Çakmaklı - Film star
* Yılmaz Büyükerşen - Mayor of Eskişehir
* Zeki Sezer - Leader of DSP
* İlhan Mansız - Football player
* Neslihan Demir Darnel - Volleyball player
* Ersan Ilyasova - Basketball player
* Kerem Gönlüm - Basketball player
* Hatice Guner - Industrial Engineer

Image gallery

ee also

* Anadolu University
* Eskişehir Osmangazi University
* Meerschaum

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Eskişehir Wikitravel article on Eskişehir]
* [http://www.eskisehir.gov.tr/ District governor's official website]
** [http://www.eskisehir.gov.tr/images/harita_merkez.jpgMap of Eskişehir central district]
* [http://www.eskisehir-bld.gov.tr/ District municipality's official website]
* [http://www.eskisehir.pol.tr Eskişehir Police Headquarters]
* [http://www.eskisehirli.com Local information website]