Balıkesir

Balıkesir is a city in the Marmara region of Turkey and has a population of 649,623 inhabitants. Its main exports are olive-based products. It is a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, who use it as a base to explore the nearly countryside which is renowned for its beauty, especially the nearby Mount Ida (Kaz Dağı).

At or near Balıkesir was the Roman town of Hadrianutherae, founded, as its name commemorates, by the emperor Hadrian. During Byzantine ownership the city was known as Palaeokastron ( _gr. Palaeologus castle).

ites of interest

Kuş Cenneti (Bird Sanctuary) National Park, Erdek, Bandırma, Edremit Bays and Ayvalık Coastal Beach and Şeytan Sofrası (Table of Devil), Marmara Islands, Alibey (Cunda) Island, Erdek and Gönen Open-Air Museum, Kyzikus Ruins, Balikesir Yıldırım Mosque (eski cami), Zaganos Pasha Mosque Complex, Clocked Church-Mosque at Ayvalik, Alibey Mosque (Çınarlı Camii).

Notable natives

* Imam Birgivi - Muslim scholar
* Ömer Seyfettin - renowned writer
* Mehmet Ali Yağcı - Famous Oilwrestler
* Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan - World famous wrestler
* Mehmet Çoban - Olympian Greco-Roman wrestler
* Caner Erkin - CSKA Moscow Striker
* Olcan Adın - Fenerbahçe footballer
* Oğuz Savaş - Fenerbahçe basketballer
* Tülin Altıntaş - Fenerbahçe Acıbadem volleyballer
* Hülya Avşar - celebrity

ee also

* Anatolian Tigers
* Balıkesirspor

External links

* [http://www.balikesir.bel.tr Balıkesir Municipality Web Page]
* [http://www.balikesir.gov.tr Balıkesir Government Web Page]
* [http://www.balikesir.edu.tr Balıkesir University Web Page]
* [http://www.5579021.com/content/view/18/35/ - about Balıkesir]
* [http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/gallery/balikesir_turkey Lots of pictures of the city of Balıkesir]
* [http://www.dursunbeyim.com the most beautiful state of Balıkesir]