Balıkesir

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Balıkesir

Location in Turkey

Informations
Area :	14,456 km² (Province)
Population:	1,076,347(Province)
	215,436 (City)
height :	70 m
Time Zone :	UTC+2
Website :	Balikesir Municipality
Postal Code :	10xxx
Area Code :	0266
Administration
Country :	Turkey 10
Mayor	İsmail Ok
Governor	Selahattin Hatipoğlu

Balıkesir is a city in the Marmara region of Turkey and has a population of 1,076,347 inhabitants. Its main exports are olive-based products. It is a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, who use it as a base to explore the nearly countryside which is renowned for its beauty, especially the nearby Mount Ida (Kaz Dağı).

At or near Balıkesir was the Roman town of Hadrianutherae, founded, as its name commemorates, by the emperor Hadrian. During Byzantine ownership the city was known as Palaeokastron (Greek: Palaeologus castle). The remains of the ancient Makestos Bridge are found in the surroundings.

[edit] Sites of interest

Kuş Cenneti (Bird Sanctuary) National Park, Erdek, Bandırma, Edremit Bays and Ayvalık Coastal Beach and Şeytan Sofrası (Table of Devil), Marmara Islands, Alibey (Cunda) Island, Erdek and Gönen Open-Air Museum, Kyzikus Ruins, Balikesir Yıldırım Mosque (eski cami), Zaganos Pasha Mosque Complex, Clocked Church-Mosque at Ayvalik, Alibey Mosque (Çınarlı Camii).