Gaziemir

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
map_caption =Location of Gaziemir within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

official_name = Gaziemir


image_caption =
image_blank_emblem =
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subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Aegean
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = İzmir| population_total =
population_urban =
population_as_of =
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 =
area_total_km2 =
elevation_m =
latd =
latm =
latNS =
longd =
longm =
longEW =
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 35x xx
blank_info = 35|blank_name=Licence plate
area_code = (0090)+ 232
leader_name =
website = [http://www.gaziemir.bel.tr www.gaziemir.bel.tr]
leader_name1 =
gwebsite = [http://www.gaziemir.gov.tr www.gaziemir.gov.tr]

Gaziemir is a district of İzmir Province of Turkey. It is one of the metropolitan districts of Greater İzmir and is situated to the south of central İzmir (Konak) on the road to İzmir. İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport and the export processing industrial park of Aegean Free Zone; which is also home to the third space camp in the world, Space Camp Turkey, are situated within the boundaries of the district.

Gaziemir was founded in the 14th century by Aydınoğlu Umur Bey (called Umur Pasha in Ottoman sources) of the dynasty of the Beylik of Aydın, who had brought and settled Yörük clans from Konya to the region. The first mention in Ottoman records dates from 1530 and the settlement was named Seydiköy in honor of a Yörük chief, Seydi Ahmed, whose tomb still stands. The town's evolution can be traced fairly smoothly through the centuries by means of regular references in Ottoman sources. After the 17th century, in line with the general pace of development in fertile western Anatolian valleys based on olive/figs/raisin/cotton exports and the ensuing population movements from the Aegean Islands, Seydiköy was largely settled by Greeks which came to constitute a large majority as of the second half of the 19th century.

The Greek population was exchanged after the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) in the frame of the Exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey, and was replaced by Turkish immigrants from Kavala region as well as from Bulgaria. Seydiköy was became a municipality in 1926 and was renamed Gaziemir in 1965 in reference to the original founder, Gazi Umur Bey. In 1992, Gaziemir became a district that also includes the municipality of Sarnıç which was formerly a part of Konak district.

Always a hub of crafts and industry both for İzmir and nationally, Gaziemir today has a highly developed industrial basis, with modern residential areas surrounding production and sales centers. The furniture industry (both home furniture and office furniture) is particularly developed. Companies established within the Aegean Free Zone generally focus on export processing, while the presence of such Turkish or international outlets as Tansaş, Kipa (a Tesco joint-venture), Metro AG and Migros subsidiaries makes Gaziemir one the important retail centers of İzmir.

External links

* [http://www.izmir.bel.tr Metropolitan Municipality of Greater İzmir]
* [http://www.esbas.com.tr Aegean Free Zone]
* [http://www.spacecampturkey.com Space Camp Turkey]