# Yalova

> central district and city in Yalova Province, Turkey

**Wikidata**: [Q205942](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205942)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalova)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yalova

## Summary
Yalova is a central district and city located in Yalova Province, Turkey, situated on the coast of the Sea of Marmara in Asia. It serves as the provincial capital and functions as a municipality with a population of 133,109 as of 2022, making it a significant urban center in the region. The city is distinguished by its extensive network of sister cities, its role as a transportation hub with the UN/LOCODE TRYAL, and its specific administrative status within the Turkish state structure.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Yalova is a city, a big city, a district of Turkey, and a municipality.
*   **Location:** It is the capital of Yalova Province, located in Turkey on the continent of Asia, bordering the Sea of Marmara.
*   **Coordinates:** 40.655555555556° N, 29.275° E.
*   **Elevation:** 30 metres above sea level.
*   **Population:** 133,109 (2022, preferred value); historical data ranges from 17,689 (1970) to 135,355 (urban estimate).
*   **Postal Code:** 77000.
*   **Licence Plate Code:** 77.
*   **Timezone:** UTC+03:00 (effective since October 2, 2018).
*   **Borders:** Shares borders with Çiftlikköy, Termal, Gemlik, and Orhangazi.
*   **Official Website:** http://www.yalova.bel.tr/ (Turkish language).
*   **Social Media Handles:** Twitter (@belediye_yalova), Facebook (YalovaBelediyesi), Instagram (yalova__belediyesi), YouTube (yalovabld).
*   **Identifiers:** GND ID 4523299-4, GeoNames ID 738025, Freebase ID /m/0b3t79, UN/LOCODE TRYAL, OSM Node ID 25869857, OSM Relation ID 1840933.
*   **Sister Cities:** Includes Batumi (since 2012), Bad Godesberg (since 1969), Medgidia (since 2004), Makhachkala (since 1992), Trogir (since 2011), Burgas, Khasavyurt (since 2014), Ohrid (since 2010), Ternopil (since 2013), Bilohirsk (since 2004), Panjin (since 1992), Tonami (since 1989), Lefkoniko (since 1995), Suwon (since 1999), Komotini (since 2002), Smolyan (since 2010), Peja (since 2010), Travnik (since 2011), Novi Pazar (since 2011), Budva (since 2012), Kyrenia (since 2017), Rottenburg am Neckar (since 2015), and Radoviš.
*   **Demographics:** Rural population was 20,397 in 2020; Urban population was 128,933 in 2020.
*   **Languages:** Wikipedia articles exist in over 70 languages including Turkish, English, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Yalova within Turkey?**
Yalova functions simultaneously as a central district, a city, and a municipality, serving as the capital of Yalova Province. It is distinct from the province itself, which it administers, and is classified as a "big city" within the national framework.

**How has the population of Yalova changed over recent decades?**
The city has experienced significant growth, rising from 17,689 residents in 1970 to a preferred 2022 count of 133,109. While the urban population reached 128,933 in 2020, the rural population remained relatively stable, recorded at 20,397 in the same year.

**Which international cities are twinned with Yalova?**
Yalova maintains sister city relationships with over 20 municipalities globally, including Bad Godesberg in Germany (established in 1969) and Batumi in Georgia (established in 2012). Other partners include cities in Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, China, Japan, and the Balkans, reflecting a broad international diplomatic network.

**What are the digital identifiers and online presence of the city?**
The city maintains an official website at yalova.bel.tr and active social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. It is indexed under various global databases with unique IDs such as GeoNames 738025, GND 4523299-4, and Library of Congress authority no94027749.

**Where is Yalova located geographically?**
Situated in northwestern Turkey on the continent of Asia, Yalova lies on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. It is bordered by the districts of Çiftlikköy, Termal, Gemlik, and Orhangazi, with coordinates at 40.6556° N and 29.275° E.

## Why It Matters
Yalova serves as a critical administrative and demographic hub in the Marmara region, acting as the capital of its own province while maintaining a distinct municipal identity. Its significance is amplified by its strategic location on the Sea of Marmara, facilitating trade and transport, evidenced by its UN/LOCODE TRYAL. The city's extensive network of sister cities, spanning from Bad Godesberg to Panjin, highlights its role in international cultural and political exchange, fostering connections across Europe and Asia. Furthermore, its rapid population growth from the 1970s to the 2020s underscores its importance as a destination for migration and urban development within Turkey.

## Notable For
*   **Extensive Sister City Network:** Holding partnerships with over 20 cities worldwide, including the long-standing relationship with Bad Godesberg since 1969.
*   **Demographic Growth:** Exhibiting a nearly eight-fold population increase from 17,689 in 1970 to over 133,000 in 2022.
*   **Dual Administrative Role:** Functioning as both the central district and the capital city of Yalova Province.
*   **Multilingual Presence:** Hosting Wikipedia content in more than 70 languages, indicating high global interest and accessibility.
*   **Specific Geographic Markers:** Defined by a precise elevation of 30 meters and a unique licence plate code of 77.
*   **Digital Engagement:** Maintaining a verified YouTube channel with over 1.1 million views and active social media followings exceeding 11,000 users.

## Body

### Administrative and Geographic Identity
Yalova is defined as a central district and city within Yalova Province, Turkey. It holds the status of a municipality and is classified as a "big city" in addition to being a district. The entity is distinct from the province it leads, a distinction noted in its "different from" property. Geographically, it is located in Asia, specifically on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. Its precise location is marked by coordinates 40.655555555556° N and 29.275° E, with an elevation of 30 metres above sea level. The city shares its borders with the districts of Çiftlikköy, Termal, Gemlik, and Orhangazi. For logistical and trade purposes, it utilizes the UN/LOCODE TRYAL and carries the Turkish licence plate code 77. The postal code for the area is 77000.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Yalova has shown a consistent upward trend over the last five decades. The most recent preferred value for the total population is 133,109, recorded in 2022 using a demographic balance method. Historical data points illustrate this growth: 17,689 in 1970, 27,289 in 1975, 41,823 in 1980, 53,857 in 1985, 65,823 in 1990, 70,118 in 2000, 92,166 in 2009, and 128,933 in 2020. The data distinguishes between urban and rural populations; for instance, in 2020, the urban population was 128,933 while the rural population was 20,397. In 2017, a significant shift was noted with a rural population of 119,605 and an urban population of 20,707, suggesting a major reclassification or census adjustment that year. The determination methods for these figures vary, including the Address-Based Population Registration System and demographic balance calculations.

### International Relations and Sister Cities
Yalova maintains a robust network of twinned administrative bodies, fostering international cooperation. The oldest partnership is with Bad Godesberg, established on May 12, 1969. Other significant partnerships include Makhachkala (May 25, 1992), Panjin (April 9, 1992), Tonami (October 3, 1989), and Lefkoniko (July 27, 1995). In the 2000s and 2010s, the city expanded its ties to include Medgidia (November 8, 2004), Bilohirsk (January 15, 2004), Komotini (December 13, 2002), Ohrid (July 28, 2010), Smolyan (July 28, 2010), Peja (July 28, 2010), Suwon (June 11, 1999), Trogir (November 14, 2011), Novi Pazar (July 19, 2011), Travnik (October 24, 2011), Budva (July 18, 2012), Batumi (May 25, 2012), Rottenburg am Neckar (February 2, 2015), Khasavyurt (November 27, 2014), Ternopil (August 28, 2013), and Kyrenia (2017). These relationships are often documented with specific start dates and references to official municipal archives.

### Digital Presence and Media
The city maintains a comprehensive digital footprint across multiple platforms. Its official website is http://www.yalova.bel.tr/, available in Turkish. Social media engagement is tracked with specific handles: Twitter (@belediye_yalova), Facebook (YalovaBelediyesi), and Instagram (yalova__belediyesi). The YouTube channel, identified by the handle yalovabld and channel ID UCO9yUDdDYHUS8X2m9EItQHA, has accumulated 1,123,662 views as of November 27, 2025. Twitter follower counts have fluctuated, recorded at 7,525 in April 2020 and rising to 11,864 by February 2023. The city is also represented in various knowledge bases, including OpenStreetMap (Node 25869857, Relation 1840933), GeoNames (738025), and the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (1086990).

### Cultural and Linguistic Reach
Yalova is a subject of extensive documentation in the global knowledge ecosystem. Wikipedia articles about the city exist in over 70 languages, ranging from major languages like English, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese to less common ones such as Waray, Volapük, and Uyghur. This multilingual presence is supported by categories for people born in Yalova, people who died there, and views of the city. The city is also cataloged in specialized encyclopedias, including the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam and the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana. Authority control is maintained through the Library of Congress (no94027749), the National Library of Israel (987007533303705171), and the Bibliothèque nationale de France (12082974m).

### Technical Identifiers and Metadata
For precise identification in digital systems, Yalova is assigned several unique codes. The GND ID is 4523299-4, and the Freebase ID is /m/0b3t79. It is associated with the SNARC ID Q3077 and the Who's on First ID 101912669. In the context of natural history, it has an iNaturalist place ID of 106933. The city's OpenWeatherMap ID is 738025, matching its GeoNames ID. It is maintained by WikiProject Turkey and WikiProject Cities on Wikipedia. The GNS Unique Feature ID is -775423. The city's page banner and main image are hosted on Wikimedia Commons, with the main gallery titled "Yalova."

## References

1. [Source](https://statoids.com/ytr.html)
2. [Source](https://batumi.ge/ge/?page=show&sec=5)
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20170422133253/https://www.yalova.bel.tr/belediyemiz/kardes-sehirler)
4. [Source](https://www.burgas.bg/bg/pobratimeni-gradove-1)
5. [Source](https://www.yalova.bel.tr/belediyemiz/kardes-sehirler)
6. [Source](https://ohrid.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8/#1550493792826-104f2237-49593bde-e13530e7-072b)
7. [Source](https://arhiva.radovis.gov.mk/?portfolio_page=%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%82-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%88%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. BnF authorities
10. [Source](https://www.lexpera.com.tr/resmi-gazete/metin/gun-isigindan-daha-fazla-yararlanmak-amaciyla-butun-yurtta-uygulanan-ileri-saat-uygulamasinin-devam-3)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Czech National Authority Database
13. [Source](https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en)
14. GeoNames
15. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tr.htm)
16. Quora
17. YouTube API
18. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
19. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File