Kartal
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Kartal is a district of Istanbul, Turkey which is located on the Asian side of the city, by the coast of the Marmara Sea on south west part of the Kocaeli Peninsula. Kartal has a total population of 407,865 (2000 census). Total land area is 147,000 m² including the country side. The name "Kartal" is the Turkish word for "Eagle". |
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History
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The downtown of Kartal was a fisher village during the Byzantine Empire which was called as Kartalimen, founded at the beginning of 6th century. In 11th century the town was conquered by the ruler of the Seljuks, Suleiman Shah and finally in 1329, Kartal became part of the Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman period it continued as a sleepy fishing village with its only significant land marks being two Ottoman Mosques one of which the Muhammad Maarifi Mosque was once a Rifa'i Tekke. Muhammad Maarifi was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad who was born in Edirne (some say Egypt who came and settled in Kartal during the late Ottoman period where he founded the Maarifiyye Rifa'i Sufi order. When he passed away a 'Turbe' (mausoleum) was built over his grave. The Maarifi order did not spread much outside of Istanbul but there were at least two other Maarifi Tekke's, one other in Kartal and another on the European side of the city. In 1947, Kartal area was declared an industrial area and by the construction of the Haydarpasa–Gebze railroad line in 1973, Kartal became one of the most important industrial areas of Istanbul. There are about 400 large and middle sized factories, 1,300 workshops and over 1,200 shops and offices in central Kartal including the northern part of the district called Samandira. In these factories and workshops, more than 40,000 people are employed. In 1987 Pendik, and in 1992 Maltepe, Tuzla and Sultanbeyli were separated from Kartal as different districts of Istanbul. |
Missing image Kartal.jpg View of Kartal |
Transportation
In Kartal, main means of transportation are sea, railway and mainroads. Kartal is at 15 minutes distance to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport at Kurtköy, Pendik. Also there are scheduled boat trips to Adalar (Princes' Islands) and to Yalova Province. The main road to Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and the European Road Network motorway E5 cross over Kartal, too. Also Bagdat Avenue which extends from Pendik to Kadikoy district and the coastal road running between Tuzla and Bostanci are other important transportion alternatives.
Geography
- Borders: Kartal is on productive fields and has a mild climate. "The balcony of Istanbul", Yakacik Hill is on Kartal too, known for its natural, cultural and historical richness. Kartal is on 40o:50' latitude and 29o:11' longitude. Kartal has borders with Pendik and Sultanbeyli districts to the east, Umraniye to the north, Maltepe to the west and Marmara Sea to the south.
- Geological Structure: The lowest point of Kartal is the downtown which is at sea level. The highest point is the 537 metres high (Aydos Mointain) to the north. The Kartal coast has sandy and clay soils, whereas the northern part of the district is mostly silica. On the Yakacik Hill, there are limestone and quartz deposits.
- Waters: The streams of Paşakoy, Kavaklidere and Findikli feed the artificial lake of the Omerli Dam. The Ayazma Fountain in Yakacik is one of the most frequented leisure areas of Istanbul.
- Climate: Kartal is located between two different climate regions; Black Sea and Mediterranean climate. In winters, Kartal's weather is affected by the cold air currents of the Balkans, rainy climate of Black Sea and warmer climate of the Mediterranean Sea. The winter begins in December to April, and it snows for 7 days, and frosts 25 days a year at average.
External Links
- The Government Office at Kartal (http://www.kartal.gov.tr)
- Kartal Municipality (http://www.kartal-bld.gov.tr)tr:Kartal