Marmara Island
Marmara Island | ||
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Oblique aerial view looking south-west | ||
Waters | Sea of Marmara | |
Geographical location | 40 ° 37 ′ N , 27 ° 37 ′ E | |
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length | 18.7 km | |
width | 9.3 km | |
surface | 117 km² | |
Highest elevation | Büyükçayır tepesidir 699 m |
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Residents | 7500 64 inhabitants / km² |
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main place | Marmara |
The Marmara Island ( Turkish Marmara Adası , Greek Προκόννησος Prokonnisos ) is a Turkish island in the Marmara Sea near the Dardanelles . The island belongs to the Marmara District in the Balıkesir Province . The ancient Greek name “Prokonnēsos” is usually derived from ancient Greek πρόξ prox , German “deer” . It reaches its highest point in Büyükçayır tepesidir in the southwest at 699 meters.
It was known in ancient times for the mining of white marble , which was used in many cities in Asia Minor. This marble was widespread throughout the Mediterranean region, especially in the early Byzantine period. The ancient quarries near the port town of Saraylar are still preserved today and have been in operation since Ottoman times. According to the results of recent research, the marble of the Pergamon Altar comes from there. Marble mining is still the island's main livelihood today. Olives and wine are also grown. There are still some old Greek villages on the island. There is a small open-air museum that shows especially semi-finished marble products.
The island can be reached by boat via Tekirdağ , Istanbul or Erdek .
The Roman Catholic Church leads the island as the titular Archdiocese of Proconnesus , the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople confers the title of Metropolitan of Prikonisos (Μητροπολίτης Προικονήσου).
people
Herodotus tells about Aristeas of Prokonnesos , a Greek poet who lived on Prokonnesos.