ISTANBUL AND THE MARMARA REGION

The Marmara region covers an area of 67,000 sq km encircling the Sea of Marmara and including the entire European part of Turkey as well as the northwest of the Anatolian plain. Whilst the region is the smallest of the regions of Turkey after the Southeast Anatolia region, it has the highest population density of all Turkish regions.

The region is Turkey’s most industrial region; the most important economic sectors are industry, trade, tourism and agriculture. Processed food items, textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, cement, paper, petrochemical products, durable household items, ships and yachts are among the main industrial goods produced in the region. In 2002, 37% of total retail sales were accounted for by the Marmara Region.

Istanbul, the biggest city of the region, is known as an economic centre and an important location on the intercontinental transport routes linking west and east.