Marmara Island | |
|---|---|
 View of Marmara from a plane | |
  Marmara Island  Marmara Island | |
| Coordinates: 40°37′N 27°38′E / 40.62°N 27.63°E | |
| Country |  Turkey |
| Region | Marmara |
| Province | Balıkesir |
Area | 126.1 km2 (48.7 sq mi) |
Marmara Island (Turkish: Marmara Adası) is a Turkish island in the Sea of Marmara. With an area of 126.1 km2 (48.7 sq mi) it is the largest island in the Sea of Marmara and is the second largest island of Turkey after Gökçeada (older name in Turkish: İmroz; Greek: Ίμβρος Imvros).[1] It is the center of Marmara district in Balıkesir Province. Transportation is possible from Istanbul by ship and ferry, and by motorboat from Tekirdağ and Erdek. Marmara island has a lot of historical artifacts. The town of "Marmara" takes its name from the marble (marmaron) for which the town is famous and which gives the island, the sea and the whole region their name.
Marmara Island is notable for its diverse natural and cultural attributes. Located near Istanbul, it features clean waters, pebble and sandy beaches, and ideal trekking routes. The island experiences two distinct climate regimes: Mediterranean on the south and Black Sea on the north side. It is renowned for having the highest mountain peak in the Marmara Sea and is home to Turkey's richest flora for its land size. Marmara Island is also unique in its support of wild horse populations and is renowned for its ancient marble quarries, from which the term "marble" originates. Additionally, it is the birthplace of the enigmatic ancient poet Aristeas and is known for producing Turkey's most exquisitely flavored sage tea. The island is the only one in Turkey to offer a combination of high mountains, lowlands suitable for agriculture, streams, waterfalls, olive cultivation, tourism, and mining.
- ^ a b "Turkey's Statistical Yearbook 2013" (PDF) (in Turkish and English). Turkish Statistical Institute. 2014. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.