Aydin |
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The central and western parts of the province are fertile plains watered by the largest river in the Aegean region the Buyuk Menderes River, with the Aydin Mountains to the north and the Mentese Mountains to the south. The western end of the province is the Aegean coast with Lake Bafa a major feature of the Menderes delta area. The climate is typical of the Aegean region, very hot in summer. The major sources of income are agriculture and tourism. This is an attractive area and the the coastal towns of Didim and Kusadasi in particular are busy tourist resorts. Kuşadası is near to the Buyuk Menderes Delta national park, while Didim has its temple of Apollo, its beaches, and the ancient ruins of Miletos nearby, all attracting income from tourists. In ancient and classical periods, this area was part of Caria and the province contains numerous important archeological sites, including the ancient Carian cities of Alinda and Alabanda. Aydin is Turkey's leading producer of figs and exports dried figs worldwide. The very name by which the fruit was called in the world markets was "Smyrna figs" till recently, due to the preponderance of figs exported from İzmir over other species of the genus. But Izmir got the name by being the center for the wholesale tradw and exports, while in fact the fruit was traditionally cultivated in Aydin. The term used within Turkey is "Aydin figs" (Aydin inciri). Turkey's yearly production of roughly 50,000 tons of dried figs, is almost all from Aydin , Within Aydin province, the best figs are reputed to be grown in Germencik. Aydin also has an important place in other agricultural products,including olives and chestnuts, cotton, citrus fruits, water melons and other fruits. Aydin has some light industry, while major projects of the 1990s such as the Izmir to Aydin motorway and Adnan Menderes University, based in the city of Aydin and with branches throughout the province, are boosting the economy of Aydin in different ways. The road comes from Izmir through Aydin and south to Mugla, carrying large numbers of holidaymakers in summer. The cuisine features the typical Turkish pastries, köfte and kebab. |