Polatlı

Polatlı (formerly Ancient Greek: Γορδιον, Gòrdion and Latin: Gordium) is a city and a district in Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, 80 km west of the Turkish capital Ankara, on the road to Eskişehir. According to 2019 census, population of the district is 125,075 of which 98,605 live in the city of Polatlı.[3][4] The district covers an area of 3,789 km², and the average elevation is 850 m.

Polatlı
City
The ruins of Gordion, Polatlı
Location of Polatlı within Turkey.
Polatlı
Location of Polatlı within Turkey.
Coordinates: 39°35′03″N 32°08′50″E
Country Turkey
ProvinceAnkara
Government
 • MayorMürsel Yıldızkaya (MHP)
 • GovernorHüseyin Eker
Area
 • District3,465.81 km2 (1,338.16 sq mi)
Elevation
850 m (2,790 ft)
Population
 (2012)[2]
 • Urban
101,012
 • District
119,349
 • District density34/km2 (89/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
06xxx
Area code(s)0312
Licence plate06
Websitewww.polatli.gov.tr

Geography

Polatlı is situated at the heart of the high Anatolian plateau, a large steppe covered with grass. Far from the coast, it has a typical steppes' climate. The winters are generally cold, the summers dry and dusty. The springs are the most humid times of the year. Polatlı is one of the most productive agricultural districts in Turkey and is best known for its cereal production, especially barley and wheat. Polatlı is one of Turkey's largest grain stores. Sugar beet, melon and onion are also grown.

History
Relief stele showing a banquet scene. From Yağri, Polatlı. Hittite Empire Period, 14th century BC. Museum of the Ancient Orient, Istanbul

The ancient Phrygian capital Gordion is 10 km from the city of Polatlı. On his expedition to the east, Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordian Knot, an omen of his coming rule over the whole Asia. Pessinus, an ancient city on the upper river Sangarios (modern day Sakarya River), is also within the borders of Polatlı. The mythological Phrygian King Midas is said to have ruled from Pessinus and to be buried here.

Polatlı also occupied an important place in the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 as the Battle of Sakarya (August 23-September 13, 1921) was fought here, the utmost eastern point reached by the advancing Greek Army in Anatolia. There are two memorial burial grounds of those lost in the battle. There is also a monument named Mehmetçik Monument about the battle just 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of Polatlı.

Villages in the district

Polatlı today
City centre of Polatlı

Today, Polatlı is an important district of Ankara on the main road which connects the capital to the west of Turkey. The city has a good range of restaurants, bars, schools and other important amenities but still a quiet rural feel to it, and little social life except cafes, patisseries and window shopping on a Sunday afternoon. There are car repair workshops but otherwise little industry. Polatlı is trying to become an independent province from Ankara and "we want to be a city" graffiti can be seen in the town.

There is a military base here and the Turkish Army Artillery School was established in Polatlı in the early 1940s and is still an important institution in the town.

Polatlıspor is a minor league football club that once climbed into the second league.

There is a large statue of a kangaroo on the main road into city.

Longwave transmitter

Near Polatli, there is a longwave broadcasting transmitter, which works on 180 kHz with a transmitter output power of 1200 kW. It uses as antenna a single 250 metres tall mast situated at 39°45'22"N 32°25'5"E. The station is known as "Polatlı Vericisi."

Notes
  1. "Area of regions (including lakes), km²". Regional Statistics Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. 2002. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  2. "Population of province/district centers and towns/villages by districts - 2012". Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  3. Nüfüs Bilgisi
  4. GeoHive. "Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units". Retrieved 2008-03-26.

References
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