Balaban (village)

Infobox Settlement

settlement_type = village
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
map_caption =Location of Balaban within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

official_name = Balaban

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|center|thumb|View of Balaban from the hills surrounding the village

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subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Marmara
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Kocaeli| population_total = 3000
population_as_of = 2006
area_total_km2 = 5|elevation_m = 100|latd = 40
latm = 42
latNS = N
longd = 30
longm = 03
longEW = E
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 41xxx
area_code = (+90) 262
blank_info = 41|blank_name=Licence plate

Balaban is a village on the hillside of Kartepe mountain near İzmit, Kocaeli province, Turkey.

Geography

Balaban, located in the Kocaeli Region’s Samanlı Mountain range, on the slopes of Kartepe mountain. It is at the south side of İzmit city, Kocaeli province, on the hillside of Kartepe mountain between Büyük Derbent and Suadiye towns. It is 24 km. far from the center of city and 2.5 km. from from the nearest town Büyük Derbent. Map coordinations are 40° 42° North parallels and 30° 10° East meridians.

History

The first settlements date back to ancient times. There are only some meterials founded on the village area from Astakos from 712 BCE and also as the inhabitants called as "Subaşı" area, there are some tunnels and cisterns founded supposedly belonged to Byzantine Empire periods. [Akgun, Mustafa, Research "Kartepe Dagindaki Yerleşim Kültürü", Büyük Derbent Turizm and Career Academy, 2002]

Also on the farm place at east side of village, as inhabitants call "Taşlı Tarla" (en: stony field) there are many meterials founded like a piece of valve, keramik pots etc. As a folk story, they belong to "missing mountain" where was overthrown at the big earthquake which happens every 100 years around İzmit on a civilization living there. But its origins are still unknown and there is no academic research about them yet. [Doç.Dr.Çalık Ayşe "ROSS: Kelenderis Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu", Conference notes, November 13 2006] [Prof. Dr.ÖKSE A.Tuba, "Salat Tepe Kazıları: 3500 yıl öncesine ait bir deprem enkazı", Conference notes, November 13 2006]

Very well known story of Balaban began at the first quarter of 19th century. Balaban's area known as "Balaban's ranch" where was about 5000 m² (1000 m²=1/4 acre). At that time a Muslim judge Fevzi Efendi bought these all ranch, and brought his family living in Batum in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). With this big migration until 1880, they began to settle down around the area and they created today's Balaban Village.

Economy

The hills and lower sides of Kartepe mountain (1606 m.) is very well formed for farming. Inhabitants mostly growing-selling fruits or living there as summer place. "Balaban's Cherry" is very famous, there are many cheery trees in all gardens, but also apple, pear, chestnut, walnut trees are growing too. Stockbreeding is very low, growing vegetables are just for themselves.

After 1995, an American couple began to built Kartepe Ski Establishment and Hotel, Balaban turned it faces to tourism and also many summer sites built low side of the mountain. Around that time Kocaeli Univercity Tourism and Career Achademy was founded in Büyük Derbent with its career hotel that brings tourism activity to the area. Anyhow, hill sides of the mountain are still virgin, inhabitants keep caring the area included the historical places and forest, but lower side is totally different now as it's 10 years ago.

Arrival

Sabiha Gökçen Airport in istanbul on Anatolia side is about convert|50|km|mi|0|abbr=on far from Balaban.

By car, the map below will smoothly guide to Balaban. Coming from İstanbul way get off the TEM highway (E-80) from the İzmit (East turnstile - Dogu turnike) exit, which is right after the İzmit-Kandıra-Otogar exit. Follow the Adapazarı sign, then the Uzunçiftlik turn, which is just 400 m. ahead. The next two turns are the Kartepe-Sapanca sign, followed by the Büyük Derbent intersection by overlook the Kartepe sign and move straight on. The distance between the Uzunçiftlik turn to Büyük Derbent on move on. Balaban is just 2.5 kilometers.

Coming from Ankara way on the TEM highway (E-80), exit from the Sapanca turnstile, which is right after the Adapazarı exit, and turn left towards İzmit. Follow the sings to Büyük Derbent then Balaban.

Coming from Bursa way, Ignore the Bursa-İznik-Meceke-Arifiye-Sapanca-Maşukiye and Bursa-Yalova-Karamürsel-Gölcük turns and follow the Ankara sign on the D 100 road (Old E-5). After 6 kilometers, on the Uzunçiftlik intersection, turn right towards the Kartepe-Sapanca direction and follow this road until Büyük Derbent.

By bus, come to İzmit by bus (Asyatur or Efetur), the İzmit Büyükşehir Belediyesi Büyük Derbent-Balaban Koop. Minibuses –located across the İzmit Halkevi- running every 20 minutes.

By train, the Haydarpaşa-Adapazarı Express train coming from İstanbul, passes near Büyük Derbent. The 3rd stop after İzmit Railway Station the train makes a stop on the Büyük Derbent Railway Station, which is adjacent to Balaban Village. This express train makes 12 passes through Balaban every day. A cab from the station to Balaban Village about 1 YTL.

References

External links

* [http://www22.brinkster.com/balabankoyu/TTbalaban.swf/ Flash movie for Balaban]

Gallery