Sultandağı

Sultandağı
Sultandağı
Coordinates: TR 38°32′N 31°14′E / 38.533°N 31.233°E / 38.533; 31.233Coordinates: TR 38°32′N 31°14′E / 38.533°N 31.233°E / 38.533; 31.233
Country Turkey
Province Afyonkarahisar
Government
  Mayor Osman Acar (CHP)
Area[1]
  District 897.86 km2 (346.67 sq mi)
Population (2012)[2]
  Urban 5,962
  District 16,673
  District density 19/km2 (48/sq mi)
Climate Csb

Sultandağı is a town and district of Afyonkarahisar Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is located at 68 km from the city of Afyon on the road to Konya, near Lake Akşehir at the foothills of the Sultan Mountains (Sultandağ), a meeting point of the Aegean and central Anatolian geographical zones. The mayor is Osman Acar (CHP).

History

The area has been settled since antiquity but the town that stands today, formerly known as İshaklı, was founded by the Seljuk lord İshak Bey and named after him. The name Sultandağı comes from the mountains' use as a stronghold for the armies of the Seljuk sultan when fighting the Byzantines. At that time the Silk Road from the Arabian Peninsula passed though here on the way to the Aegean coast. Sultandağı is famous for cherries which is exported to over 50 countries. The cherries are really great.

Every year, "Cherry Festival" takes places in Sultandagi. In this festival, the farmers competes to exhibit their cherries to the jury. taking the "size" criteria into consideration, the jury tries to decide the owner of the biggest cherries in the related year. Usually, the first winner is awarded with gold, fuel for their tractors, etc. During the festival, famous singers performs on the stage. Some of these singers are Orhan Hakalmaz, Murat Basaran, Izzet Altinmese, Lara, Sumer Ezgu, etc.

Today

Today the area is known for fruit-growing, especially cherries.

There was a large earthquake in 2001, which fortunately caused little loss of life. That was this earthquake which led most of people to focus their attention on the town.

Settlements

References

  1. "Area of regions (including lakes), km²". Regional Statistics Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. 2002. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  2. "Population of province/district centers and towns/villages by districts - 2012". Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
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