Polatlı

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone= EET
utc_offset=+2


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


image_caption = The ruins of Gordion, Polatlı
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
map c
Turkey
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Ankara
population_total = 116400
population_urban = 79992
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 30.72
area_total_km2 = 3789
latd = 39
latm = 35
latNS = N
longd = 32
longm = 09
longEW = E
elevation_m = 850
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 06xxx
area_code = 0312
blank_info = 06
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Hüseyin Eker
website = [http://www.polatli.gov.tr/ www.polatli.gov.tr]

Polatlı is a town and district of Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, 80 km west of the Turkish capital Ankara, on the road to Eskişehir. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 116,400 of which 79,992 live in the town of Polatlı.cite web|url=http://www.die.gov.tr/nufus_sayimi/2000tablo5.xls|title=Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey|accessdate=2008-03-26|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=2008-03-26|author=GeoHive|language=English] The district covers an area of 3,789 km², and the average elevation is 850 m.

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

The ancient Phrygian capital Gordion is 10 km from the town 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, 1922) was fought here, the utmost eastern point reached by the invading Greek Army in Anatolia. There are two memorial burial grounds of those lost in the battle.

Polatlı today

Today, Polatlı is an important district of Ankara on the main road which connects the capital to the west of Turkey. The town 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 town.

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://www.polatli.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon
* [http://www.polatli.bel.tr/ District municipality's official website] tr icon
* [http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Middle_East/Turkey/Central_Anatolia/Ankara/POLATLI/ Everyday images of Polatlı] en icon