Yalova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yalova
Municipality
"Hope Is Yalova" municipality sign
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Yalova Location in Turkey Show map of Turkey Yalova Location in Marmara Show map of Marmara
Country	Turkey
Province	Yalova
District	Yalova
Elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Population  (2022)	133,109
Time zone	TRT (UTC+3)
Postal code	77000
Area code	0226

Yalova is a city located in northwestern Turkey. It sits right on the eastern coast of the Sea of Marmara. Yalova is the main city of its own province, also called Yalova Province, and its own district. In 2022, about 133,109 people lived there.

Even though it's a modern city, Yalova is famous for a special spa resort nearby called Termal. This place is a popular spot for people from Istanbul to visit in the summer. You can easily travel between Yalova and Istanbul by taking a ferry across the Sea of Marmara. These ferries are run by a company called İDO.

What Does Yalova Mean?

The name Yalova is thought to come from two Turkish words put together: Yalı and ova.

• Yalı means 'a house right on the coast'.
• Ova means 'a flat plain'.

So, Yalova basically means 'a plain with houses by the coast'.

A Look Back: Yalova's History

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with Ali Fethi Okyar and his daughter in Yalova, August 13, 1930

The 1999 Earthquake Monument in Yalova, Turkey

Mahaçkala Park in Yalova, Turkey

The beautiful seaside in Yalova, Turkey

Yalova in Ancient Times

People first started living in the Yalova area a very long time ago, around 3000 BC. Over the centuries, different powerful groups ruled this land.

• The Hittites were in charge around 2100 BC.
• Then came the Phrygians around 1300 BC.
• After that, the Greeks ruled for many years.
• The Romans took over in 74 BC.
• When the Roman Empire split, Yalova became part of the Byzantine Empire.

In ancient times, and for most of the Middle Ages, Yalova was known as Pylae or Pylai. This Greek word means "gates." It was called this because it was a key starting point for anyone crossing the Sea of Marmara from Europe into Bithynia (a region in Asia).

Yalova in the Middle Ages

During the Byzantine period, Yalova stayed important because of its location. Emperors often used it as a landing spot when traveling from Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). For example, Emperor Heraclius landed here in 622 AD to start his fight against the Persians.

In the 9th century, Yalova was part of a special system of beacons that sent news from the border with the Abbasid Caliphate. It also had a place for travelers to stay. However, by the late 10th century, it was described as a small village where animals were gathered to be sent to Constantinople.

After a big battle called Manzikert, the Seljuk Turks attacked the area, but Yalova soon recovered. In 1147, Greek people who had to leave their homes in Phrygia came to live here. Yalova remained under Byzantine control until around 1302. At that time, Turkish attacks became stronger, and many people had to leave Yalova and find safety on the Princes' Islands.

Ottoman and Modern Yalova

Soon after, Yalova became part of the Ottoman Empire under the leader Orhan. It was known by names like "Yalakabad" and "Yalıova." In the late 1800s, many Avar people from Dagestan moved to the city.

In 1914, records show that Yalova had a mix of people: Greeks, Turks, and Armenians. During the Turkish War of Independence, the city was occupied by the Greek Army on September 5, 1920. There were difficult times for the local Turkish people during this period. Turkish troops took back Yalova on July 19, 1921.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, loved Yalova and often stayed there in his later years. He even said, "Yalova is my city."

Yalova was first a part of the Kocaeli Province. In 1930, it became a district of Istanbul Province. Finally, in 1995, Yalova became a provincial capital, meaning it became the main city of its own province.

Fun Places to Visit

In Yalova City

In Yalova city itself, one special place to see is the Yürüyen Köşkü, also known as the "Walking Pavilion." This beautiful villa by the water was used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It got its name because Atatürk preferred to have the building carefully moved a little bit rather than cut down a tree that was blocking his view as it grew!

You can also visit the Yalova Earthquake Monument in the 17 August Park, right on the coast of the Marmara Sea. This monument remembers the thousands of lives lost in August 1999 when a huge earthquake hit northwestern Turkey, including Yalova.

In Termal

Yalova is most famous for its hot springs in the Termal district. The name "Termal" comes from the Greek word thermae, which means 'warm'. People have been coming to these hot springs for relaxation and health since Byzantine times. The resort was made bigger during the time of Sultan Abdülhamid II and again when Atatürk was alive.

Also in Termal is the Atatürk Arboretum. An arboretum is like a special garden for trees and plants. This one is said to have 1800 different kinds of plants! Atatürk asked for it to be created in 1929, and it was the first arboretum in Turkey. A summer-house that Atatürk used is also open for people to visit within the arboretum grounds.

Sports in Yalova

• Yalovaspor BK is a basketball team from Yalova. They play in the Basketbol Süper Ligi, which is Turkey's top basketball league.
• The local football (soccer) team is Yalovaspor. They play in the Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Climate in Yalova

Yalova has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has cool, wet winters and hot, mostly dry summers.

• The highest temperature ever recorded in Yalova was 42.1°C (107.8°F) on June 27, 2007.
• The lowest temperature ever recorded was -11.0°C (12.2°F) on February 22, 1985.

Yalova's Sister Cities

Like many cities around the world, Yalova has "sister cities" or "twin towns." This means they have special friendships and often share culture and ideas.

Famous People from Yalova

Many talented people were born or grew up in Yalova, including:

• Sarkis Minassian – An Armenian journalist.
• Muharrem İnce – A Turkish politician.
• İzel – A Turkish singer.
• Mehmet Okur – A Turkish NBA basketball player.
• Şebnem Ferah – A Turkish singer.
• Vefa Salman – A Turkish politician.

Images for kids

• 

  Sudüşen Waterfall, near Termal, Yalova

• 

  Mountains of Termal, Yalova

See also

In Spanish: Yalova para niños