Akşehir
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| Akşehir | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Turkey |
| Province | Konya |
| Elevation | 1,025 m (3,363 ft) |
| Population (2000)[1] | |
| - District | 114,918 |
| - Urban | 60,226 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| - Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 42xxx |
| Area code(s) | 0332 |
| Licence plate | 42 |
| Website: www.aksehir.gov.tr | |
Akşehir is a town and district of Konya Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 114,918 of which 60,226 live in the town of Akşehir.[1][2] The town was known in the Roman and Byzantine Empires as Philomelium (Latin language) and Philomelion (Greek language) respectively.
The town is situated at the edge of a fertile plain, on the north side of the Sultan Dagh.[3]
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[edit] History
Philomelion was probably a Pergamenian foundation on the great Graeco-Roman Highway from Ephesus to the east, and to its townsmen the Smyrniotes wrote the letter that describes the martyrdom of Polycarp. Cicero, on his way to Cilicia, dated some of his extant correspondence there; and the place played a considerable part in the frontier wars between the Byzantine emperors and the Sultanate of Rum. It became an important Seljuk town, and late in the 14th century passed into Ottoman hands. There Bayezid Yilderim is said by Ali of Yezd to have died after his defeat at Angora. [3]
[edit] Modern times
The town's landmarks include the alleged tomb of Nasreddin Hodja, the house used as headquarters by the Turkish Army during the last phase of the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), other monuments and old Turkish houses.
Between 5 July - 10 July each year, commemorations with concerts and other social activities are held to the memory of Akşehir's famous resident that was Nasreddin Hodja.
With its rich architectural heritage, Akşehir is a member of the Norwich-based European Association of Historic Towns and Regions.[4]
[edit] Name
The name Akşehir literally means "white city" in Turkish. It is a compound of two Turkish words, namely ak, "white", and şehir, "town". The word şehir comes from Persian shahr, "town".
In English usage other spellings of the name include Ak-Shehr, Ak-Shahr, Akshehr, Akshahr, Akshehir, and Aqshahr.
[edit] Notable People From Akşehir
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Turkish Statistical Institute. "Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey" (XLS) (in Turkish). Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ GeoHive. "Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units" (in English). Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ a b This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- ^ The European Association of Historic Towns and Regions. "Historic Towns of Turkey" (DOC) (in English). Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
[edit] References
- Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. "Geographical information on Akşehir, Turkey" (in English). Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
"Philomelium". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.
[edit] External links
- District governor's official website (Turkish)
- District municipality's official website (Turkish)
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