# Tekirdağ

> city in Turkey

**Wikidata**: [Q182009](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182009)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekirdağ)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tekirdag

## Summary
Tekirdağ is a city in Turkey, serving as the capital of Tekirdağ Province. With a history dating back to ancient times, it has been part of the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey since 1923. As of 2019, its population is 204,001, making it a significant urban center in the region.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Coordinates 40.983333333333°N, 27.516666666667°E; elevation 37 metres above sea level.
- **Area**: 1,111.53 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 204,001 (2019), up from 137,962 in 2008.
- **Country**: Turkey (since 1923); previously part of the Ottoman Empire (1453–1923).
- **Historical Names**: Rodosto, Rhaedestus, Rhodosto, Bisanthi, and others.
- **Administrative Status**: Capital of Tekirdağ Province; previously part of Adrianople vilayet (1867–1922).
- **Twin Towns**: Bayreuth, Sárospatak, Kardzhali, Pyeongtaek, Sliven, Techirghiol, Topolčani, Famagusta, Montevago, Shantou, Veliko Tarnovo, Kecskemét, Gazimağusa Municipality.
- **Website**: [http://www.tekirdag.bel.tr/](http://www.tekirdag.bel.tr/) (Turkish).
- **Social Media**: Twitter (@Tdagbld), Facebook (dagbld), Instagram (tdagbld), YouTube (UChHIaVEyCymHR2wMRDfxDow).
- **Elevation**: 37 metres above sea level.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF 96144647647676569749, GeoNames 738927, GND 4412679-7.

## FAQs
- **What is Tekirdağ known for historically?**  
  It was an ancient settlement known as Rhaedestus and later Rodosto under the Ottomans. The city’s name evolved from "Tekfur Dagh" (Byzantine fortress mountain).

- **How has its population changed?**  
  The population grew from 133,322 in 2007 to 204,001 by 2019, with a notable increase to 203,617 in 2020.

- **What administrative regions has it belonged to?**  
  It was part of the Adrianople vilayet (1867–1922) and became part of Tekirdağ Province in 1922 after Turkey’s founding.

- **Is Tekirdağ culturally significant?**  
  Yes, it is referenced in historical works like the *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th ed.) and *Pauly-Wissowa*, and has cultural ties to wine production and Ottoman heritage.

- **How can I find it online?**  
  Official website: [tekirdag.bel.tr](http://www.tekirdag.bel.tr/). Social media: @Tdagbld (Twitter), dagbld (Facebook), tdagbld (Instagram).

## Why It Matters
Tekirdağ is a historically layered city that bridges ancient, Ottoman, and modern Turkish eras. Its strategic location on the Sea of Marmara made it a trade and military hub, while its wine production and cultural heritage sustain its regional importance. As a provincial capital, it anchors governance and economic activity in northwest Turkey, reflecting broader national trends in urbanization and historical preservation.

## Notable For
- **Ancient Origins**: Founded as Rhaedestus in antiquity, documented in classical sources like *Pauly-Wissowa*.
- **Ottoman Legacy**: Thrived under Ottoman rule (1453–1923) as Rodosto, with multicultural influences.
- **Wine Production**: Part of Turkey’s renowned wine region, leveraging its Mediterranean climate.
- **Strategic Location**: Situated near the Dardanelles, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean.
- **Cultural Diversity**: Historical home to Greeks, Turks, and other communities, reflected in its architectural and culinary heritage.

## Body

### Geography & Climate
Tekirdağ spans 1,111.53 km², with coordinates 40.983333333333°N, 27.516666666667°E. It lies at 37 metres elevation, characterized by a Mediterranean climate conducive to viticulture.

### History
- **Ancient Era**: Known as Rhaedestus/Bisanthi in antiquity, referenced in *Pauly-Wissowa* and the *Nuttall Encyclopædia*.
- **Ottoman Rule**: Renamed Rodosto after 1453; a prosperous port city under Ottoman administration until 1923.
- **Modern Turkey**: Incorporated into the Republic of Turkey in 1923, becoming capital of Tekirdağ Province in 1922.

### Demographics
- **Population Growth**:  
  - 2007: 133,322  
  - 2010: 141,439  
  - 2019: 204,001 (preferred)  
  - 2020: 203,617  
- **Urbanization**: A key city in Turkey’s northwest, reflecting national demographic shifts.

### Administration
- **Current Status**: Capital of Tekirdağ Province since 1922.  
- **Historical Regions**: Part of Adrianople vilayet (1867–1922) under the Ottoman Empire.

### Culture & Economy
- **Wine Production**: A major wine-producing area, leveraging its terroir.  
- **Social Media Presence**: Active on Twitter (27,146–38,755 followers, 2013–2023), YouTube (687,646 views as of 2025).  
- **Twin Towns**: Partnerships with cities like Bayreuth (2012), Shantou, and Veliko Tarnovo foster cultural and economic ties.

### Historical References
- Documented in the *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th ed.), *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, and *Treccani’s Enciclopedia Italiana*.  
- Archaeological and historical significance noted in the *Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire* (ID 21397).

### Infrastructure & Technology
- **Online Presence**: Website in Turkish; YouTube channel (UChHIaVEyCymHR2wMRDfxDow) with 274,794 subscribers (2020).  
- **Identifiers**: GeoNames 738927, VIAF 96144647647676569749, GND 4412679-7.

### Education & Research
- **Library IDs**: National Library of Latvia (000357346), Library of Congress (n2011057271).  
- **Scholarly References**: Featured in *World Historical Gazetteer* (ID 13769086) and *Encyclopaedia of Islam* (First Edition, SIM-3746).

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. [Source](https://www.nufusune.com/suleymanpasa-ilce-nufusu-tekirdag)
4. GeoNames
5. BBC Things
6. YouTube API
7. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
8. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. museum-digital