Etimesgut

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Ankara
timezone= EET
utc_offset=+2


map_caption =Location of Etimesgut within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Etimesgut


image_caption = Eryaman neigbourhood in Etimesgut
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
map c
Turkey
population_total = 171293
population_urban = 169615
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 3495.78
area_total_km2 = 49
latd = 39
latm = 57
latNS = N
longd = 32
longm = 40
longEW = E
elevation_m = 807
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 06xxx
area_code = 0312
blank_info = 06
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Recep Erkılıç
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Serhat Kemal Yılmaz
website = [http://www.etimesgut.gov.tr/ www.etimesgut.gov.tr]

Etimesgut or Etimesut, formerly Ahimesut, is a metropolitan district of Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, mainly consisting of large public housing projects, convert|25|km|mi|0|abbr=on from Ankara city centre. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 171,293 of which 169,615 live in the urban center of Etimesgut.cite web|url=http://www.die.gov.tr/nufus_sayimi/2000tablo5.xls|title=Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey|accessdate=2008-03-29|author=Turkish Statistical Institute|format=XLS|language=Turkish] [cite web|url=http://www.xist.org/cntry/turkey.aspx?levels=Ic%20Anadolu|title=Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units|accessdate=2008-03-29|author=GeoHive|language=English] The district covers an area of convert|49|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on, [cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html|title=Statistical information on districts of Turkey|accessdate=2008-05-01|author=Statoids|language=English] and the average elevation is convert|807|m|ft|0|abbr=on.

History

Archaeological research shows habitation since 2000 BC, including a Phrygian settlement in the 8th century BC. Then of course the district began to share the history of the city of Ankara with its Lydians, Persians, Galatians, Ancient Romans, Byzantines and finally Turks. Etimesgut is on the ancient Silk Road to the orient, and still today the road and railway from Ankara to Istanbul pass through the district.

Atatürk was fond of the area and would come here to ride horses and chat to the locals. He had a room in the building that is the public health laboratory today, and many other public buildings, including the hospital and the post office, that were built by his order still stand today.

Etimesgut began as a housing project of 50 homes ordered by Atatürk in 1924 to accommodate Turkish refugees from Bulgaria. From the 1950s, as poverty forced people to migrate from the countryside into the city much illegal housing gecekondu was thrown up in this district. Some of this has been replaced by public housing projects such as Elvankent, Eryaman and Güzelkent and also military and civil service accommodation. However much "gecekondu" remains, inhabited by working class people from cities such as Erzurum, many of whom commute to jobs in the city of Ankara. Almost all of the housing in Etimesgut is apartment buildings except the Guzelkent project. As building land in the city of Ankara is now impossible to find areas like this on the fringes of the city where building land is cheap are growing faster and faster.

The area has only the most basic shops and amenities. The Islamic terrorist organisation Hizbullah had a number of hidden cells here in the 1990s.

Public buildings include the sugar factory, the Turkish aviation authority headquarters at Etimesgut Airport and a military training camp.

The local football team Etimesgut Şekerspor has had a chequered history, although in recent years has gained popularity by hiring former national team player Sergen Yalçın.

Places of interest

* Ankara Aviation Museum

ee also

* Eryaman

Image gallery

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://www.etimesgut.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon
* [http://www.etimesgut.bel.tr/ District municipality's official website] tr icon