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AREA : 708 KM2
POPULATION : 93.587 ( 2000)
MUNICIPALITIES : 6 ( Edremit,Kadıköy,Zeytinli,Akçay,Güre,Altınoluk.)
VILLAGES : 20
GEOGRAPHY
Edremit is a town of Balıkesir.It is located both in Agean and
in Marmara Region. It is surrounded by Çanakkale in the
North-West,Havran in the East, Burhaniye in the South-East and
The Agean Sea in the South.The landscape consists of mountains
and plains.Kaz Dağları (Ida Dağı) is in the North of the town.The
highest point of these mountains is The Sarıkız Summit.They
take up 21.300 hectares and are worth seeing.This part is rich
in nature and history and also in fauna as it is in flora.The
streams come from the Kaz Mountains and flow down into
theCoast.The main ones are Edremit,Zeytinli,Kızılkeçili,Manastır,Mıhlı,Şahin
and Eybek streams. The plain which is located in the east of
the bay is the main agricultural area.
ECONOMY
The economy of the area depends on olive business and Edremit
is the olive production centre of Turkey. Olive and soap
industry go back to the times before the Turkish Republic was
founded. Its economy is based on agriculture which is
supported by tourism. There are hardly any big industrial
investments there. It has about 300 building-cooperatives ,
658 companies and firms , 1 holiday village,13 touristic
hotels, 91 pensions and motels, 8 campsites,3 thermal hotels
and hot springs.Apple,cotton corn,wheat and sugar beets are
grown as well as olives.There are also a few vineyards there.Honey
business and forest industry are widely developed.Lead and
Zinc reserves have been found and sometimes run in Altınoluk.
Akçay and Altınoluk are the main touristic centres. The Beach
of Akçay is 5 kms long and 10-30 metres wide. The main
features of these beaches are their cold and drinkable water
which naturally comes from under the sea. The population of
the town reaches up to 500.000 in the summer.
CLIMATE
Edremit has got the Mediterranean climate,the summers are hot
and dry,winters are warm and rainy. However,at higher
elevations from the coast line it changes in to Mediterranean-like
mountain climate. Approximately temperature is 19˚ C.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES
Due to its naturel beauties and olive industry the population
has been increasing.Tourism and immigration have affected the
social and economic structure of the town since 1980s. In the
summer months various cultural and social activities are held
in Edremit Akçay, Güre, Zeytinli, and Altınoluk. These
activities help to advertise the area. (Edremit Olive
Festival,Güre Sarıkız Activities,Altınoluk Antandros culturel
festival, Zeytinli Kite Festival.)
Altınoluk, Edremit and Güre and their surroundings are full of
picnic areas.
HEALTH
There are two hospitals with 170 beds, one military hospital
with 100 beds, one private hospital, 18 health dispensaries.
The numbers of GP are 69, specialists are 46.
EDUCATION
The Balıkesir University has got a branch in Edremit .There
are 4500 students in 8 secondary schools,13500 students in 32
primary schools,one nursery school, 1 apprentice educating
centre,1 public education centre, 2 teacher’s houses,three
public schools, 9 university preperation courses, 4 driving
courses , 1 language course and 4 student hostels.
The percentage of literacy is 98 %.
HOW TO GET THERE
It’s possible to get there on the highway.In the summer months
there are flights between Istanbul and Edremit.It is 85 kms to
Balıkesir,135 kms to Çanakkale,200 kms to Izmir,250 kms to
Bursa,500 kms to Istanbul and 650 kms to Ankara.There is also
a ferry from Bandırma to Istanbul.
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