Uşak

Uşak (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈuʃak]) is a city in the interior part of the Aegean Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Uşak Province and Uşak District.[2] Its population is 236,366 (2022).[1]

Uşak
Official logo of Uşak
Uşak is located in Turkey
Uşak
Uşak
Location in Turkey
Uşak is located in Turkey Aegean
Uşak
Uşak
Uşak (Turkey Aegean)
Coordinates: 38°40′40″N 29°24′15″E
CountryTurkey
ProvinceUşak
DistrictUşak
Government
  MayorMehmet Çakın (AKP)
Elevation
906 m (2,972 ft)
Population
 (2022)[1]
236,366
Time zoneTRT (UTC+3)
Postal code
64000
Area code0276
Websitewww.usak.bel.tr

Uşak city is situated at a distance of 210 km (130 mi) from İzmir, the region's principal metropolitan center and port city. Benefiting from its location at the crossroads of the Central Anatolian plateau and the coastal Aegean Region, and from a climate and agricultural production incorporating elements of both of these zones, Uşak has also traditionally had a strong industrial base. Uşak was the first city in Turkey to have an urban electricity network, and the first city where a collective labor relations agreement was signed, during the Ottoman era, between leather industry employees and workers. It was here that the first factory of Republican Turkey, a sugar refinery, was set up through a private sector initiative among local businessmen. The tradition of industriousness continues today around two industrial zones.

History

The first known organized states to have ruled over the region of present-day Uşak were the Phrygians in the eastern portion and the Lydians in the west during the seventh century BC. The Karun Treasure, discovered by clandestine treasure hunters in Uşak in 1965, and whose smuggling outside Turkey and subsequent retrieval decades later from New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art made international headlines, gives an indication of the high degree of civilization attained by these Anatolian states. The region of Lydia was later taken over by the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC and by Alexander the Great and his successors as of the 4th century. Thereafter, Uşak was ruled successively by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuks, the Germiyanids and finally the Ottoman Empire (as of 1429).

Later, following Turkish conquest and domination over the area, the city became known by its Turkish name of Uşak; which means "servant." From 1867 until 1922, Uşak was part of Hüdavendigâr vilayet.

Uşak was occupied by the Greek Army between 28 August 1920 and 1 September 1922. During the Greek retreat, Greek general Nikolaos Trikoupis was captured near Uşak at the village of Göğem, today buried under a dam reservoir.

Uşak was a district center within Kütahya Province until 1953, when Uşak Province was constituted and Uşak became its provincial capital.

Economic history

At least since the 17th century there was trade between Uşak and the Dutch republic as reflected in the rug shown thrown over the bannister in Vermeer's painting "The Procuress." The rug was probably produced in Uşak, covers a third of the painting and shows medallions and leaves.[3]

The kelim rug shown in Vermeer's 1656 painting The Procuress was identified as probably originating in Uşak,[4] testifying to 17th Century trade linking the city with the Dutch Republic.

In the early 20th century, mercury was discovered in Uşak.[5] The town also manufactured carpet.[6]

Among other district centers in Uşak Province, Banaz is the largest and is notable for its varied agricultural production as well as for its forests, while Ulubey's canyon is a natural site attracting many visitors.

Geography

The city of Uşak consists of 29 neighbourhoods, including Kurşunluk and Muharremşah.[7]

Climate

Uşak has a Mediterranean (Köppen: Csa)[8] or an oceanic climate (Trewartha: Doak),[9] with cool, wet, regularly snowy winters and hot, dry summers.

Climate data for Uşak (1991–2020, extremes 1939–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.3
(64.9)
23.6
(74.5)
27.0
(80.6)
30.0
(86.0)
34.5
(94.1)
36.6
(97.9)
40.2
(104.4)
38.2
(100.8)
36.6
(97.9)
32.6
(90.7)
26.0
(78.8)
21.8
(71.2)
40.2
(104.4)
Average high °C (°F) 7.3
(45.1)
8.9
(48.0)
12.5
(54.5)
17.0
(62.6)
22.5
(72.5)
27.3
(81.1)
31.2
(88.2)
31.5
(88.7)
26.8
(80.2)
20.9
(69.6)
14.6
(58.3)
9.2
(48.6)
19.1
(66.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.6
(36.7)
3.7
(38.7)
6.7
(44.1)
11.0
(51.8)
15.9
(60.6)
20.4
(68.7)
24.0
(75.2)
24.2
(75.6)
19.5
(67.1)
14.2
(57.6)
8.4
(47.1)
4.3
(39.7)
12.9
(55.2)
Average low °C (°F) −1.1
(30.0)
−0.3
(31.5)
1.8
(35.2)
5.4
(41.7)
9.6
(49.3)
13.2
(55.8)
16.3
(61.3)
16.6
(61.9)
12.5
(54.5)
8.5
(47.3)
3.8
(38.8)
0.7
(33.3)
7.3
(45.1)
Record low °C (°F) −19.9
(−3.8)
−15.0
(5.0)
−12.5
(9.5)
−6.2
(20.8)
−1.0
(30.2)
2.9
(37.2)
7.4
(45.3)
6.8
(44.2)
2.0
(35.6)
−4.8
(23.4)
−11.8
(10.8)
−18.9
(−2.0)
−19.9
(−3.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 64.3
(2.53)
65.2
(2.57)
55.9
(2.20)
65.6
(2.58)
48.7
(1.92)
27.5
(1.08)
17.7
(0.70)
12.4
(0.49)
20.7
(0.81)
50.2
(1.98)
59.0
(2.32)
77.3
(3.04)
564.5
(22.22)
Average precipitation days 8.83 9.20 9.47 9.97 8.53 4.73 2.77 2.50 3.50 6.23 6.90 10.57 83.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 111.6 107.4 145.7 177.0 232.5 282.0 297.6 282.1 243.0 189.1 120.0 99.2 2,287.2
Mean daily sunshine hours 3.6 3.8 4.7 5.9 7.5 9.4 9.6 9.1 8.1 6.1 4.0 3.2 6.3
Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service[10]

Uşak carpets

Strongly outlined palmettes and delicate botanical decorations adorn the central medallion of this exceptional Oushak.

In pre-industrial times, Uşak was already a major center of production and export, particularly of Ushak carpets. Ushak carpets are also called Holbein carpets in reference to the 16th century painter Hans Holbein the Younger who depicted them in minute detail in his paintings, reflecting their popularity in European markets. The level of international popularity attained by Uşak's carpets became such that the word "Ushak" is considered an English word of Turkic origin.[11]

Although Uşak's carpet patterns have evolved since then, large-scale weaving still continues and the name of the city still has an important presence in the market for carpets, both hand-woven and industrial. On the other hand, the district of Eşme, which is also in Uşak Province, is famous for its kilims.

Twin cities

See also

References

  1. "Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports" (XLS). TÜİK. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  2. İl Belediyesi, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  3. Onno Ydema (1991) Carpets and their Datings in Netherlandish Paintings, 1540 - 1700, p. 43, 44, 145. ISBN 90-6011-710-7
  4. Onno Ydema (1991) Carpets and their Datings in Netherlandish Paintings, 1540 - 1700, p. 43, 44, 145. ISBN 90-6011-710-7
  5. Prothero, G. W. (1920). Anatolia. London: H.M. Stationery Office. p. 106.
  6. Prothero, G.W. (1920). Anatolia. London: H.M. Stationery Office. p. 110.
  7. Mahalle, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  8. Meteocorne (Köppen Climate Classification)
  9. Meteocorne (Trewartha Climate Classification)
  10. "Resmi İstatistikler: İllerimize Ait Mevism Normalleri (1991–2020)" (in Turkish). Turkish State Meteorological Service. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  11. Merriam-Webster Unabridged - Ushak A heavy woolen oriental rug tied in Ghiordes knots and characterized by bright primary colors and an elaborate medallion pattern.

  1. Uşak's Population Is Increasing: A Look at TÜİK's March 2023 Report There is a population increase in Uşak, a district in Turkey. Turkish Statistical Institute reports were shared
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