Konya (Turkey)

Konya is a major city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. It is the seventh-most-populous city in Turkey. As of 2014, Konya has a population of 1,174,536. Konya is an economically and industrially developed city and the capital of Konya Province.

Konya was historically the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum (Anatolia) and the Karamanids.

Government

The first local administration in Konya was founded in 1830. This administration was converted into a municipality in 1876. In March 1989, the municipality became a Metropolitan Municipality. As of that date, Konya had three central district municipalities (Meram, Selçuklu, Karatay) and a Metropolitan Municipality.

Geography

Konya is the center of the largest province, the largest plain and is among the largest cities in the country. It is the seventh most populated city in Turkey.

Konya City is in the southern part of the Middle Anatolian Region. The land is broad and flat with a lot of lowlands and plateaus. The plateaus are covered with rich steppes, therefore, affecting the agriculture sector. Additionally, the southernmost part of Konya is largely surrounded by the Taurus mountain range.

Lakes

Lake Tuz, traditionally known as Tuz Golu, is the second-largest lake in all of Turkey. This lake supplies Turkey with a large amount of Turkey's salt demand.

Beysehir Lake is on the western part of Konya and is near the border. It is known to be the largest fresh water late in Turkey and one of the most important national parks. Beysehir Lake is important for tourism in Konya and attracts thousands of people each year to its 2 beaches and 22 islands for water and mountain sports.

Meke Lake is on the border of the Karapinar province and is considered to be a heavily protected natural area.

Climate

Konya has a cold semi-arid climate (BSk) under the Köppen classification and a hot summer continental (Dca) or hot summer oceanic (Doa) climate under the Trewartha classification.

Summers temperatures average 30 °C (86 °F). The highest temperature recorded in Konya was 40.6 °C (105 °F) on 30 July 2000. Winters average −4.2 °C (24 °F). The lowest temperature recorded was −26.5 °C (−16 °F) on 6 February 1972. Due to Konya's high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months are cool. Precipitation levels are low, but precipitation can be observed throughout the year.

Education

Konya hosts the Tactical Training Center Anatolian Eagle, a center for training NATO Allies and friendly Air Forces. Real Like training environment with large area and skilled aggressors provides a training opportunity to reach the maximum combat readiness for Air Force Fighters. Official Web Site

Konya ranks among the nation's top 10 cities for the average score of high school graduates. There are various elementary and secondary schools in the province. The Meram Fen Lisesi is among Turkey's first-tier science high schools.

Konya is one of the few cities to contain more than 100,000 college students. Selçuk University had the largest number of students, 76,080, of any public university in Turkey during the 2008-09 academic year. It was founded in 1975. The other public university is Necmettin Erbakan University which was established in Konya in 2010.

Private colleges in Konya include the KTO Karatay University.

Economy

The city ranks among the Anatolian Tigers. There are a number of industrial parks. In 2012 Konya's exports reached 130 countries. A number of Turkish industrial conglomerates, such as Kombassan Holding, have their headquarters in Konya.

While agriculture-based industries play a role, the city's economy has evolved into a center for the manufacturing of components for the automotive industry; machinery manufacturing; agricultural tools; casting industry; plastic paint and chemical industry; construction materials; paper and packing industry; processed foods; textiles; and leather industry.

Culture

Konya was the final home of Rumi (Mevlana), whose tomb is in the city. In 1273, his followers in Konya established the Mevlevi Sufi order of Islam and became known as the Whirling Dervishes. Konya has the reputation of being one of the more religiously conservative metropolitan centers in Turkey. It was once known as the "citadel of Islam" and its inhabitants are still comparatively more devout than those from other cities.

Konya produced Turkish carpets that were exported to Europe during the Renaissance. These expensive, richly patterned textiles were draped over tables, beds, or chests to proclaim the wealth and status of their owners, and were often included in the contemporary oil paintings as symbols of the wealth of the painter's clients.

A Turkish folk songs is named Konyalım,Konyalıya Güzel Derler and Konyalım Yaman Çalar Şak Şak Kaşığı , making reference to a loved one from Konya.

The local cuisine of Konya includes dishes made of bulgur wheat and lamb meat. One of the renowned dishes of the city is etli ekmek, which is similar to lahmacun and pizza.