The population characteristics of the Kara Menderes Basin, Çanakkale

Abstract

The Kara Menderes Basin is located in the South Marmara Sub-region of Marmara Region, where the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) links the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean Sea. Historically, its location defined political relations between the regional powers and it remains a strategically and economically important route.  However, despite this importance, the basin is one of the most sparsely populated areas compared to the national Turkish average. This study examines the population characteristics of Kara Menderes Basin using census data collected between 1935 and 2009, 1:25,000 scale topographic maps, 1:100,000 scale soil maps and climatic data from Bayramiç meteorological station. Based on these data, the study analyzed changes in population size and spatial distribution, within the basin; age and gender structure and density of the population, and the rural and urban structure of the population. 

The results show that population density in the basin is relatively low compared to both the Marmara Region-wide and the overall population density of Turkey. The population of the basin increased between 1935 and 1990 while showing some fluctuations, but has declined since 1990. The main reasons for declining population within the basin are low birth rates and outward migration, particularly from the rural areas. It was found that migration resulting from a perceived lack of economic opportunities which is mostly caused by natural factors.  The migration affects many demographic factors, such as the proportions of urban and rural population in the basin, the age and gender structure of the population and its spatial distribution in the area. If the present population decline within rural areas continues, it is inevitable that the Kara Menderes Basin area will have one of the lowest population densities in Turkey, in contrast to the surrounding region.