Darıca

Darıca (Greek: Δάριτζα, from the Byzantine τὰ Ῥίτζιον) is a municipality and district of Kocaeli Province, Turkey.[2] Its area is 23 km2,[3] and its population is 225,602 (2022).[1] The district Darıca was created in 2008 from part of the district of Gebze, along with the districts Çayırova and Dilovası.[4][5] The current mayor is Şükrü Karabacak, former head coach of the Turkish athletics team.

For the village, see Darıca, Manyas.
Darıca
District and municipality
Map showing Darıca District in Kocaeli Province
Map showing Darıca District in Kocaeli Province
Darıca is located in Turkey
Darıca
Darıca
Location in Turkey
Darıca is located in Marmara
Darıca
Darıca
Darıca (Marmara)
Coordinates: 40°45′35″N 29°23′08″E
CountryTurkey
ProvinceKocaeli
Government
 • MayorMuzaffer Bıyık (AKP)
Area
23 km2 (9 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[1]
225,602
 • Density9,800/km2 (25,000/sq mi)
Time zoneTRT (UTC+3)
Postal code
41700
Area code0262
Websitewww.darica.bel.tr

Darıca takes its name from Darıca Castle which is situated in the centre of town and was constructed during the Roman period, between 297 BC and 74BC. Darıca exhibits the highest population density within the Kocaeli Province. In a contemporary context, the town plays host to an array of different cultures, however, prior to the 1920s, a vast majority of the population were of Greek, Orthodox origin.[6]

The town is located 38 km (24 mi) from Istanbul and sits 10 km (6.2 mi) from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, 50 km (31 mi) away from the Atatürk International Airport (which is used for cargo and general aviation flights), and 90 km (56 mi) from Istanbul Airport in Arnavutköy. Darıca is in close proximity to large-scale transit infrastructure including the D-100 highway and the Turkish State Railway station for Kocaeli. Further, the district contains numerous social areas, plays host to a number of festivals and hosts the Faruk Yalçın Zoo in the Marmara Region.

Composition

There are 14 neighbourhoods in Darıca District:[7]

  • Abdi Ipekçi
  • Bağlarbaşı
  • Bayramoğlu
  • Cami
  • Emek
  • Fevzi Çakmak
  • Kazım Karabekir
  • Nenehatun
  • Osman Gazi
  • Pirireis
  • Sırasöğütler
  • Yalı
  • Yeni
  • Zincirlikuyu

Darıca Coast

Bayramoğlu is a peninsular area on the gulf near Darıca and is known for its predominantly natural environment, garnering a reputation as the modern holiday centre in the Marmara Region. The area's endowment of modern recreation facilities and a small beach are combined with the traditionally warm climate to make it an attractive destination to domestic and international travelers. There are cafeterias, restaurants, picnic areas, children's play groups along the beach as well as designated areas for fishing.

Dudayev Park is a suburban part of Darıca in which families spend time within play areas, cafes, and walking areas. The area features an amphitheatre which is situated on the same land where the 'Fusion of Cultures and Cities' festival was held. During the festival, approximately 300,000 people descended on the park. The park is named after Dzhokhar Dudayev, the first president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. In 2021, the park's name was criticized by Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[8]

Denize Sevgi Parkı features walking paths, cafes, restaurants, children's play groups and recreational areas within which residents play sport. From this area, there is also access to the sea.

Sancaktepe has the highest hill of Darıca. On 200 acres of land, with 15,000 trees planted, there are picnic areas, walking paths and a cafe. The Sancaktepe Landscape design received two awards across the country.

Historic houses. Darıca was established 378 BC. It hosts many historic structures like houses, castle and a lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1896.

Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park (previously the Bogaziçi Zoo and Botanical Park) is built into 200,000 m² area in Darıca and contains 3000 animals. The Park houses 300 kinds of animals and 500 kinds of plants.

References
  1. "Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports" (XLS). TÜİK. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  2. Büyükşehir İlçe Belediyesi, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  3. "İl ve İlçe Yüz ölçümleri". General Directorate of Mapping. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  4. Kanun No. 5747, Resmî Gazete, 22 March 2008.
  5. "İl İdaresi ve Mülki Bölümler Şube Müdürlüğü İstatistikleri - İl ve İlçe Kuruluş Tarihleri" (PDF) (in Turkish). p. 56. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  6. "Darıca". Nişanyan Yeradları. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  7. Mahalle, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  8. "Cevher Dudayev Parkı'na Rusya da kızdı". Serbestiyet (in Turkish). 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
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