Adapazarı

Adapazarı is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of Sakarya Province. The province itself was originally named Adapazarı as well. The city has a population of 391.102 (as of 2008).

Adapazarı is the location of a large automobile factory owned by Toyota Motor Corporation. Silk and linen industries, and an export of tobacco, walnut-wood, cocoons and vegetables catering to İstanbul market is also considerable.

History

Historically, it was situated on the old military road from Istanbul to the east, and connected by a branch line with the Anatolian railway since the end of the 19th century. A large part of the population is of Black Sea ancestry, from cities like Trabzon and Rize. Hayhurum had a significant presence in Adapazarı where there had been an Armenian community since 1608. They have been included in the 1923 agreement for Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations between Turkey and Greece, and settled in various parts of Greece. Precious objects of culture and else belonging to this small community is being displayed today in Athens Benaki Museum.

ports

Adapazari is home to Sakaryaspor. Sakaryaspor has won the Turkish Cup once and has played in the Turkcell Super League for 11 seasons. Currently they are in Bank Asya 1. Lig, the second level in the Turkish Football pyramid. They were in the Super League last year, but got relagated. They are likely to win the Bank Asya 1. Lig, battling for 1st place with Antalyaspor and Eskişehirspor. Even though Sakaryaspor isn't always a permanent team in the Super League, they have raised many of Turkey's best players. This list includes people like Hakan Sukur, Tuncay Sanli, Oguz Cetin, and many many more.

WorldSS|2007 Supersport World Champion Kenan Sofuoğlu from Sofuoğlu family, and professional carom billiards player Semih Saygıner are also two important sportsmen from Adapazarı.

People

*Kriton Ilyadis (1916-1980) -cinematographer
*Udi Hrant
*Tuncay Sanli - Middlesbrough and Turkey football player.

Twinned Towns

* Delft, Netherlands
* Shumen, Bulgaria