Edremit Körfezi

Northeast Aegean

Province: Balikesir

Length (W-E): 50km/31mi

Width (N-S): 25km/15.5mi

Situation and Characteristics

The southern part of the Troas, in the guise of the Kaz Dagi massif (the ancient Mt Ida; Kirkler Tepesi 1,774m/5,822ft) fringes the Gulf of Edremit to the south. Towering wall-like above its north shore, the mountains act as a barrier, preventing influxes of cold northern air.

Sheltered to the southeast by the Madra Dagi (1,338m/4,391ft) and to the west by the Greek island of Lesbos (Turkish Midilli), the Gulf, named after Edremit, the principal town, enjoys higher spring temperatures and lower rainfall than the windswept Troas, temperatures in summer being every bit as hot. This favorable climate, together with more than 100km/62mi of equally fine coastline, combine to make the Gulf one of the premier tourist areas in Turkey. Today its character is dominated by the resorts strung like beads along its shores, the main centers being Altinoluk, Edremit-Akçay, Burhaniye-ären and Ayvalik-Sarmisakli. Countless hotels of every category cater for holidymakers from the cities of the Anatolian hinterland (Ankara, Eskisehir, Konya).