Turkish/Geography/Turkey/Marmara bölgesi

Marmara bölgesi
The region, named after the Marmara Sea, is located in the northwestern corner of Turkey. In the Marmara bölgesi, which is regarded as the industrial centre of the country especially on the İstanbul-Bursa-İzmit axis, tourism is also an important means of livelihood along with industry and trade.

Processed food, textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, cement, paper, petrochemical products, automobiles and spare parts, durable household items, railway cars and ships are the leading industrial goods produced in the region.

The region has a distinct privilege by the fact that the shortest land and maritime routes connecting Europe to Asia and the Black Sea countries to the Mediterranean pass through there, and this has led to development, increasing of the population and enrichment of the area. As a region which has hosted many civilisations throughout the centuries, it has become one of the most important culture, arts and tourism centres of the world with its antiquities and scenic wonders.

This region of Turkey hosts the biggest city in Turkey, and one of the biggest cities in the world: İstanbul. İstanbul is, in many peoples' opinions, the most beautiful city on Earth. There's so much to do, and so much to see (and eat) here. With its historical monuments, museums, palaces, city walls, waterside mansions, bazaars, scenic wonders and houses of worship which are the heritage of an 8000 year old past, blended in with its modern life, industry, pop culture, pastimes, and shopping (Cevahir Mall, located in İstanbul, is the biggest shopping mall in Europe and one of the largest in the world; Nişantaşı and Bağdat Avenue also boast the most expensive of things on sale in the city), is an elegant centre of tolerance and a synthesis where all senses of taste and desires could be met. It is the bridge between Europe and Asia, and is known as the "Capital of Empires", bearing the traces of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

If you ever visit Turkey, İstanbul is an absolute must.

For all the reasons stated above, the Marmara bölgesi is a very important part of Turkey, and is one of the things that make Turkey beautiful.

It is made up of 11 counties, called iller (the plural form of il):
 * İstanbul
 * Edirne
 * Kırklareli
 * Tekirdağ
 * Çanakkale
 * Kocaeli
 * Yalova
 * Sakarya
 * Bilecik
 * Bursa
 * Balıkesir

Links

 * İstanbul travel guide on Wikivoyage
 * Bursa travel guide on Wikivoyage
 * Çanakkale travel guide on Wikivoyage