Gönen

Gönen is a district of Balıkesir Province of Turkey, located in the southern part of Marmara Sea. The town is mostly known for its therapeutic hot springs, leather processing and rice production.

Location

The town is surrounded by Bandırma in the northeast, Biga and Yenice in the west, Marmara Sea and Gulf of Erdek and Balya in the south. Elevation is 33 m from sea level.

See: coord|46|06|N|27|38|E|

History

The oldest known name of the town is Asepsus. This was also the name of the brook, that flows next to the city center. Research shows that the following name was Artemea, a derivation of Artemis

After, the acquisition of Gönen by Ottoman Empire, the current name is used. The etymological source of the name is still disputed. Widely accepted possibilities are;

* Non-Turkish possibilities:
** Ka-wana : A word meaning "Sheepland/Sheep Country" in Luwian
** Germenon : A word meaning "Hot Spring"
** Giunan : A word meaning "Greek" (Yion,in ancient Greek),becoming "Giunen" and then "Gonen" in Turkish

* Possible meanings in Turkish:
** A small pond that dries in summer, small pond, placid water
** Humidity, wet, well-watered

Also, some sources indidate a nomad tribe of "Yörükan community" bearing the name "Gönen","Gönan" or "Gönenlü". The tribe was loosely based around Adana and Maraş

According to Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname (In which he collected the notes of his journeys), Gönen was used by the governors of Bursa as a summer holiday location, where they enjoyed the therapeutic uses of the hot springs.

Demographics

According to, the census that took place in 2000, the population is 36263. This data includes, the town center and nearby villages within the virtual borderline drawn by branches of Gonen Brook. The total population, including Sarıköy and all 89 villages, is 71804. The population distribution is mostly linear, as most villages are located in between the borders of the valley. However, population density noticeably decreases in more steep areas.

Transport

There are regular bus routes to Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Sea and train routes are available by transfer in Bandırma. Using available High speed ferry services, it takes 2 hours to reach Istanbul. Train route is only available to İzmir, but this is mostly used for cargo, rather than passenger transportation. Local air travel is also available through Bursa. International flights are handled through İstanbul and İzmir

External links

* [http://www.gonenkaplicalari.com/english/ Gönen Kaplıcaları A.Ş.] Info about thermal properties of hot springs