Region
Marmara Region is a transit place between the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. The continents of Europe and Asia are linked to each other in this region. With its specific surface are of 67.0000 km2, this region covers 8.5% of the total surface area of the country. This region has been named with the same name of the inland sea that is landlocked totally by this region and that opens out to the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea through the straits. The Islands of Tenedos and Imbros (Imroz) that are located in the open seas of the Aegean Sea are considered within the area of the Marmara Region. Marmara Region is surrounded by the Black Sea and Central Anatolian Regions in the east, the Aegean Region in the south, and Greece and Bulgaria in the northwest. Like in other regions, the borders of the Marmara Region do not match with the borders of the provinces at any field. The provinces of Edirne, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ, Istanbul, Kocaeli and Yalova are totally located within the borders of this region. However, some lands of the provinces of Sakarya, Bilecik, Bursa, Balıkesir and Çanakkale are located within the borders of the Aegean and Black Sea Region.
The means of subsistence of the people are industry, trade, tourism and agriculture in the Marmara Region. It is the major industrial region of Turkey. The most developed industrial zone in the region is located in the axis of Istanbul-Bursa-Izmit. Istanbul that has been an important trade centre from the period of Antiquity located over the intercontinental transportation roads provides superiority for the region in the scale of the country. There are widespread industrial activities in the other zones of the region. The processed foodstuff, textile, ready-made clothing, cement, paper, petrochemical products, white goods, ships and yachts can be considered among the principal industrial goods produced in the region.
At the same time, the agriculture has a wide scope of variety in the region. Nearly half of the arable fields are composed of wheat fields. Wheat is followed by sugar beet, corn and sunflower. The region produces nearly 73% of the production of sunflower in Turkey and nearly 30% of the production of corn in the country. The production of vegetables and fruits has also a high rate in the region. The region that is in the second line following the Black Sea Region in the production of corn follows Aegean Region in the production of olive. The relish Gemlik olives are well known all over the country. The region that is also highly developed in the field of viniculture is known with the grapes and vines of Tekirdağ, Sarköy, Murefte, Avşa and the Island of Tenedos.
The Marmara Region that is located in the southeast of Europe has the most beautiful panoramas of the world and important works of architecture and the masterpieces. The islands, peninsulas and coves in the Sea of Marmara, the mountains and forests in the region and the cities are blended with history and the nature within one another. This region where several great civilisations have emerged and been deeply rooted has constituted the migration routes of the tribes that travelled between the two continents. The traces remaining from these tribes and the nations that had settled in the region can be frequently observed everywhere. Tourism is highly developed in this region that has unique natural and historical beauties and values. The tourists with a significant number come into the region in every year. The region is the centre of finance, investment, education and operation in the field of Turkish tourism.