Marmara Region

The Marmara Region sits in the northwestern part of the country and covers two continents, with eleven provinces surrounding the sea that gives the area its name. This administrative unit forms a bridge between Europe and Asia and combines coastal zones with the inland countryside.

The area saw the beginning of Ottoman expansion from the small town of Söğüt in 1300, which later changed the entire territory. The conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century turned this area into the center of a large empire.

The region contains numerous architectural elements from different periods, including mosques, bridges, and traditional Ottoman educational complexes called külliye.

Several airports offer international connections, while high-speed trains link major cities together. Ferries cross the sea and let travelers move between coastal towns.

The name comes from Marmaros island, which was known for its marble deposits. This stone shaped not only the island but later gave the entire sea its current name.

Location: Turkey

Inception: June 1941

Capital city: Istanbul

Shares border with: Aegean Sea, Black Sea, Black Sea Region, Central Anatolia Region, Aegean Region, Aegean Islands, Thrace, Bulgaria, Balkans

GPS coordinates: 40.63070,28.12640

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:15