The Marmara earthquake occurred in a large area of Turkey’s most densely populated region, bringing death and destruction especially to Izmit, Yalova, Sakarya, Bolu provinces and the outskirts of Istanbul and severely affected many other neighboring provinces such as Bursa, Eskisehir and Zonguldak. In this earthquake, where over 15,000 people lost their lives, more than 25,000 buildings were destroyed and about 200,000 houses and workplaces were damaged. The Turkish government, which went into action immediately after the quake, allocated all its resources to overcome the problems of this enormous tragedy. A total of 83 countries including Germany, Israel, Greece and Russia in the first place, sent rescue, medical and firefighting teams to assist the local effort and also various aid materials. Campaigns for donation were initiated by either official or civil communities and societies in several countries as well as in Turkey, with the objective of helping people who faced disaster. This international solidarity and sensitivity in the aftermath of the Marmara earthquake were accepted by all the Turkish people with a sentiment of appreciation and gratitude.

One of the buildings that was destroyed in the Marmara earthquake.

The Marmara Region

The Marmara Region forms a passage between the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. Europe and Asia are connected to each other in this region. It covers 8.5 percent of the country with a surface area of 67,000 km2. It gets its name from the internal sea with the same name, which is entirely surrounded by land and connected to the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea through the straits. The islands of Bozcaada and Gokceada (Imroz), situated in the open sea off the Aegean coast, are also located in the Marmara Region.

The Marmara Region is surrounded by the Black Sea and Central Anatolia Regions to the east, the Aegean Region to the south and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. The borders of the Marmara Region are not in conformity with the provincial borders in many places just as in the other regions. Edirne, Kirklareli, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Kocaeli and Yalova Provinces are completely within the borders of the region. Some lands in Sakarya, Bilecik, Bursa, Balikesir and Canakkale Provinces are located within the borders of the Aegean and the Black Sea Regions.

The people in the Marmara Region make their living in industry, trade, tourism and agriculture. It is Turkey's main industrial region. The most developed industrial zone in the region is the Istanbul-Bursa-Izmit triangle. Istanbul, which has been an important trade center since ancient times and is located on the intercontinental transport routes, makes the region superior throughout the country. Widespread industrial activities can be encountered in other areas in the region. Among the main industrial goods produced in the region are processed food items, textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, cement, paper, petrochemical products, durable household items, ships and yachts.