| ولايت ايدين (Ottoman Turkish) Vilâyet-i Aidin | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire | |||||||||
| 1867–1919 | |||||||||
_3.348_Smyrne_Vilayet.jpg) The Aidin Vilayet in 1894 | |||||||||
| Capital | Smyrna (İzmir) | ||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
| • Coordinates | 38°04′N28°15′E / 38.06°N 28.25°E /38.06; 28.25 | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
| 1867 | |||||||||
• Greek occupation | 1919 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Today part of | Turkey | ||||||||
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TheVilayet of Aidin[2] orAydin (Ottoman Turkish:ولايت ايدين,romanized: Vilâyet-i Aidin,[3]French:vilayet d'Aïdin) also known asVilayet of Smyrna orİzmir after its administrative centre, was a first-level administrative division (vilayet) of theOttoman Empire in the south-west ofAsia Minor, including the ancient regions ofLydia,Ionia,Caria and westernLycia.[4] It was described by the 1911Encyclopædia Britannica as the "richest and most productive province of Asiatic Turkey".[4]
At the beginning of the 20th century, Aidin Vilayet reportedly had an area of 17,370 square miles (45,000 km2), while the preliminary results of the first Ottoman census of 1885 (published in 1908) gave the population as 1,390,783.[5] The stated accuracy of the population figures ranges from "approximate" to "merely conjectural" depending on the region from which they were gathered.[5] As of 1920, the vilayet had an "exceptionally large" Christian population.[6]
The British described Aidin Vilayet as having a "remarkable variety of agriculture", as of 1920. They produced grains and cotton, specifically inAydın andNazilli. The region also producedopium,tobacco, andvalonia oak. Fruit was one of the most popular exports, withfigs andgrapes being popular. BeforeWorld War I, fig production was up, with an expansive increase in production and exportation via railway. Grapes were used to produceraisins andlicorice was also produced in the region. It was noted as growing wild along theBüyük Menderes River. It was exported to the United States and United Kingdom.[6]
Aidin, as of 1920, was considered to be the world's supply center foremery, specifically in the areas betweenTire andSöke.[7] In the early 20th century, Aidin was also noted for large deposits ofchromium, specifically nearMount Olympus and in the southwestern region of the vilayet.[8][9]Antimony andmercury were also found in the area.[10]
Carpet was manufactured in Vilayet, mainly in Smyrna, but with carpet being made throughout the region, including inKula,Uşak,Gördes andIsparta.[11] After World War I, sales declined, however, Britain remained a major importer ofTurkish carpets from Aidin. Carpets were mainly produced by women.[12]
As of 1920, the region was noted as having 6,000 square kilometers of forest. The west and southwest had the most thickly forested areas. The British describedMakri as being "rich in excellent timber." Cedars were found in Makri, with oak and pine throughout the vilayet. In the early 20th-century,deforestation had begun via private companies of the vilayet.Sawmills had been erected, with Makri having its own steam-run sawmill. Most trees were felled by hand at this time.Tavas also had a timber economy during this period.[13]
_Boundaries_and_Ethnic_Makeup.png)
Before 1914, the vilayet was subdivided into:[14]
In 1893, there were in total 39 Kaza (districts). According to the Ottoman census of that year, in the 35 kazas Muslims were the majority. In the kaza of Izmir there was no majority but Muslims were the largest group.[15] In the kaza of Foça, Urla and Çesme, comprising theKaraburun Peninsula, Greeks were the majority.[15] However, according to American pre-Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) estimates, the Greek element was the most numerous in Smyrna Sanjak with 375,000 inhabitants, while other groups included Muslims (325,000), Jews (40,000) and Armenians (18,000).[16]
