Niğde

[edit] As the administrative centre of Niğde Province, Niğde serves as the principal urban settlement of the surrounding region. The city's population has grown steadily since the establishment of the Turkish Republic, although migration to larger metropolitan areas has influenced demographic trends in recent decades. Historical population of Niğde Year Pop. ±% 2009 105,702 — 2013 124,774 +18.0% 2017 141,010 +13.0% 2022 161,224 +14.3%

[edit] Agriculture remains an important component of Niğde's economy. The province is known for the cultivation of potatoes, apples, cereals and other agricultural products, while livestock breeding also contributes to the local economy. In addition to agriculture, manufacturing, food processing and mining play a role in the city's economic activity. Niğde's location along important transportation routes in Central Anatolia has supported regional trade and commerce. Niğde Gazozu[edit] The food and beverage industry also contributes to the local economy. Among the city's best-known products is Niğde Gazozu, a carbonated soft drink first produced in Niğde in 1962, which has since gained recognition throughout Turkey and has also been exported abroad.

[edit] Higher education in the city is provided primarily by Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, a public university founded in 1992. The institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a wide range of disciplines and serves students from across Turkey.

[edit] Niğde occupies an important position in south-central Anatolia and is connected to neighbouring provinces by a network of highways. The city lies on routes linking Central Anatolia with the Mediterranean region and southeastern Turkey, contributing to its role as a regional transportation centre.

[edit] Niğde possesses a rich cultural heritage shaped by its location in Central Anatolia and its long history of settlement. Traditional Anatolian customs, folk music and local cuisine continue to play an important role in community life. Regional dishes frequently incorporate agricultural products grown in the surrounding countryside, particularly apples and potatoes.

[edit] The area surrounding Niğde has been inhabited since prehistoric times and contains numerous archaeological sites reflecting the region's long history. During antiquity, the region formed part of ancient Cappadocia and was successively ruled by the Hittites, Persians, Hellenistic kingdoms, Romans and Byzantines. Nearby archaeological sites and monuments provide evidence of continuous settlement spanning several millennia.

[edit] Portal of Alaaddin Mosque, Niğde In town[edit] Sungur Bey Mosque, a unique early 14th-century mosque in the town centre which combines elements of Selçuk and Gothic architecture, including quadripartite vaulting and a rose window. Standing on a platform above the market place, it was recently restored. Alaaddin Mosque, a 13th-century mosque whose portal is decorated with muqarnas. Shadows cast on the stone masonry around the entrance at a specific time on specific days of the year are said to form an image of a woman's face with a crown and long hair (Islam forbade human imagery but tessellations and calligraphic pictures were allowed, so "accidental" silhouettes became a creative escape). Hudavend Hatun Türbe, the finest of several Selçuk tombs in the centre of Niğde, dates back to the early 14th century. Ak Medrese (White Medrese), built in 1409 during the years when the Karamanoğlu dynasty ruled Niğde. Niğde Castle (Niğde Kalesi) looms above the town, its location made obvious by a clocktower (1902) inside it. It dates back in part to Selçuk times. Its interior is now a public park. Niğde Archaeological Museum, one of whose star attractions is the Niğde Stele which was recovered from the Dışarı Mosque where it was being used as a door lintel. Around town[edit] Eski Gümüşler Monastery, a rock-cut frescoed monastery built by the Byzantines and containing unique paintings of stories from Aesop's Fables. It was only rediscovered in 1963 Kemerhisar, the site of ancient Tyana, especially noted for a lengthy surviving stretch of Roman aqueduct. Aladağlar and Bolkar Mountains, which are popular with mountaineers and trekkers. Çiniligöl Çiftehan thermal springs

[edit] Portal of Alaadin Mosque, Niğde Gündoğdü türbe (tomb), Niğde Sungurbey Mosque and mausoleum, Niğde Hükümet Meydan (Government Square) in Niğde Aladağlar (Ala Mountains), near Niğde Aladağlar (Ala Mountains), near Niğde Aladağlar (Ala Mountains), near Niğde Eski Gümüşler Monastery, near Niğde Niğde Castle and Clock tower Çiftehan Ruins of Roman aqueduct in Tyana (Kemerhisar), near Niğde Ruins of Tyana (Kemerhisar) aqueduct, near Niğde Ancient Tyana Roman pool in ancient Tyana (Kemerhisar), near Niğde Hüdavent Hatun Mausoleum, Niğde Late Hittite inscription from Porsuk (8th century) in Nigde museum Finds from Tyana in Niğde Museum Niğde Museum Niğde Carpet Inside Küçükköy Church A front view of Niğde Castle. Niğde Gazoz is a popular beverage from Niğde

[edit] Niğde consists of 26 neighbourhoods: Alaaddin, Ahipaşa, A.Kayabaşı, Balhasan, Burhan, Çayır, Dere, Efendibey, Esenbey, Eskisaray, İlhanlı, Kale, Nar, Saruhan, Selçuk, Sırali, Sungur, Ş.Süleyman, Şahinali, Şehitler, Yenice, Y.Kayabaşı, İnönü, Fertek, Kumluca and Hamamlı. Climate[edit] Niğde has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk, Trewartha: BS), bordering on a temperate continental climate (Köppen: Dsa, Trewartha: Dc). Niğde has hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Climate data for Niğde (1991–2020, extremes 1935–2023) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 19.9(67.8) 20.5(68.9) 26.4(79.5) 30.8(87.4) 33.0(91.4) 35.0(95.0) 38.5(101.3) 39.7(103.5) 37.3(99.1) 32.0(89.6) 25.0(77.0) 21.2(70.2) 39.7(103.5) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.3(41.5) 7.0(44.6) 11.9(53.4) 17.2(63.0) 22.2(72.0) 26.6(79.9) 30.2(86.4) 30.3(86.5) 26.3(79.3) 20.4(68.7) 13.2(55.8) 7.4(45.3) 18.2(64.8) Daily mean °C (°F) 0.0(32.0) 1.4(34.5) 6.0(42.8) 11.0(51.8) 15.6(60.1) 19.8(67.6) 23.2(73.8) 23.1(73.6) 18.8(65.8) 13.3(55.9) 6.5(43.7) 2.0(35.6) 11.7(53.1) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −4.1(24.6) −3.2(26.2) 0.8(33.4) 5.0(41.0) 9.1(48.4) 12.9(55.2) 15.8(60.4) 15.6(60.1) 11.4(52.5) 7.0(44.6) 1.3(34.3) −2.2(28.0) 5.8(42.4) Record low °C (°F) −25.6(−14.1) −24.2(−11.6) −23.9(−11.0) −6.9(19.6) −2.6(27.3) 3.5(38.3) 6.6(43.9) 6.5(43.7) −0.7(30.7) −6.2(20.8) −19.5(−3.1) −24.0(−11.2) −25.6(−14.1) Average precipitation mm (inches) 34.3(1.35) 32.0(1.26) 38.8(1.53) 41.1(1.62) 43.4(1.71) 29.2(1.15) 5.5(0.22) 7.7(0.30) 12.4(0.49) 30.3(1.19) 32.7(1.29) 42.5(1.67) 349.9(13.78) Average precipitation days 10.27 9.87 10.67 11.30 12.17 7.47 2.03 1.87 3.10 6.47 6.97 10.20 92.39 Average snowy days 6.6 5.4 4.3 1.0 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 1.2 4.1 22.8 Average relative humidity (%) 73.3 69.0 61.8 56.6 55.7 50.3 43.0 43.8 47.6 57.8 66.3 73.2 58.2 Mean monthly sunshine hours 116.5 139.8 177.9 207.3 253.0 294.8 343.7 334.9 287.0 224.3 165.3 113.3 2,657.7 Mean daily sunshine hours 3.8 5.0 5.7 6.9 8.2 9.8 11.1 10.8 9.6 7.2 5.5 3.6 7.3 Source 1: Turkish State Meteorological Service Source 2: NOAA (humidity, sun 1991-2020), Meteomanz(snowy days 2000-2024) Geology[edit] The town is located between the volcanic Melandiz Mountains, which include the Mount Hasan Stratovolcano near the city of Aksaray to the north, and the Niğde Massif to the south-southeast. The massif is a metamorphic rock dome that contains abandoned antimony and iron mines. Several marble quarries are currently being used to dig out the pure white crystalline marble of the massif.

[edit] Abdullah Durak, footballer Ayhan Şahenk, businessman Nükhet Duru, singer Emre Altuğ, Singer and actor Ebubekir Hazım Tepeyran Yılmaz Cemal Bor [tr], (1934-2014), Member of Parliament (1977-1980) from the Nigde District Yıldız Kenter, actress Leonidas Kestekides (1876–1954), a Cappadocian Greek chocolate manufacturer from Nigde, Cappadocia and founder of the internationally famous Leonidas company in Belgium Petros Petridis (1892–1977), prominent Cappadocian Greek composer and conductor, born in Nigde (Cappodocia) Thanassis P. Aghnidès, (1889–1980), born in family estates (Kayabashi), graduated from Université Impériale de Constantinople with a law degree and the Sorbonne in Paris, France. He was a Greek-Ottoman diplomat, joined the SDN in 1919 and became undersecretary Geneva 1938-1942, chairman of the disarmament section at U.N. 1946-1960. He also served as Greek ambassador to the Court of St James in London 1942-1945.[citation needed] Elie P. Aghnidès (1901–1988), iInventor, best known of his inventions is the faucet aerator and the massage shower. Another of his inventions was the Rhino, an amphibious, 5-ton, 4-wheeled vehicle designed for multiple terrains. The prototype was built by Marmon-Harrington in Indianapolis.[citation needed] Nicholas P. Aghnidès, (1883–1974), author, Professor at Columbia University best seller Mohammedan Theories of finance.[citation needed]

[edit] Niğde is twinned with: Melle, Germany Bursa, Turkey