Marmara region


The Marmara region is a geographical region of Turkey.
Located in East Thrace, it is bordered by Greece and the Aegean Sea to the west, Bulgaria and the Black Sea to the north, the Black Sea Region to the east, and the Aegean Region to the south. At the center of the region is the Sea of Marmara, which gives the region its name. The largest city in the region is Istanbul. Other big cities are Bursa, İzmit, Balıkesir, Tekirdağ, Çanakkale and Edirne.
Among the seven geographical regions, the Marmara region has the second-smallest area, yet the largest population; it is the most densely populated region in the country.

Etymology

The region is named for the Sea of Marmara, which in turn is named after Marmara Island, named for the marble found there.

Subdivision

Çatalca - Kocaeli Section
  • * Adapazarı Area
  • * Istanbul Area Ergene Section Southern Marmara Section
  • * Biga - Gallipoli Area
  • * Bursa Area
  • * Karesi Area
  • * Samanlı Area Yıldız Section

Ecoregions

Terrestrial

[Palearctic]

[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests]

Provinces

Provinces that are entirely in the Marmara Region:
Provinces that are mostly in the Marmara Region:

Geography

The Yıldız Mountains and Uludağ are in the Marmara Region. Islands in the Aegean Sea are Gökçeada and Bozcaada, and in the Sea of Marmara are Marmara Island, Avşa, Paşalimanı, İmralı and the Princes' Islands of Istanbul.

Climate

The Marmara region has a borderline Mediterranean and humid subtropical climate on the Aegean Sea and south Marmara Sea coasts, and an oceanic climate on the Black Sea coast. Summers are warm to hot and moderately dry whereas winters are cool, wet and sometimes snowy. The coastal climate keeps the temperatures relatively mild.