The total surface area of the province of Denizli is 1,186,800 ha. Of this total, 31.8% is agricultural land (376,738 ha), 4.9% is pasture land (58,316 ha), 44% is forest land (521,959 ha) and 19.4% is residential areas (229,787).
Details on agricultural landuses are presented in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Agricultural land uses
Agricultural lands
|
Area (ha)
|
Distribution (%)
|
Agricultural field
|
376,738
|
31.7
|
Vineyards
|
39,806
|
3.4
|
Orchard
|
521,959
|
44.0
|
Horticultural land
|
248,297
|
20.9
|
Olive trees
|
376,738
|
31.7
|
Total
|
1,186,800
|
100.0
|
2.6. CLIMATE
Since Denizli Province is situated on a transition zone between Mediterranean, Aegean and Central Anatolia regions, its climate represents similar characteristics. In general, the province has the climatic features of the Aegean Region and the southern portions of Central Anatolian Region. The districts of Cameli, Beyagac and Kale demonstrate the characteristics of Mediterranean climate; Saraykoy, Buldan (partly) and Curuksu Valley of the central district represent characteristics of the Aegean climate and the remaining districts demonstrate the characteristics of Central Anatolian climate.
The climate of the province is slightly harder than the typical Aegean climate. Summer temperatures could go as high as 42°C, where as the winter temperatures could decrease to -15°C. The average summer temperature is 25–30°C and the average winter temperature is 4–8°C. The monthly average temperature is above 10°C during more than at least 9 months of the year. Based on 17 years of data, average temperature in the province is 15.8°C.
Mean annual total precipitation is 547 mm. This value was recorded as 510.6 mm in the year 2006. About 70% of the total annual precipitation is observed in October-March period. The region demonstrates typical characteristics of the Aegean climate and has a maximum recorded snowfall depth of 3 cm. Dominant wind direction shows seasonal variability. Wind blows from southwest direction in March and April; from northwest during May-November period; and from southwest during December-March period. Highest wind speeds are observed in December, January, February and March. In 2006, average monthly wind speed was recorded to be 1.2 m/s.
2.7. DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES
Denizli is the second largest city of the Aegean region. The changes in urban and rural population as well as the change in population density between 1927 and 2000 are given in Table 2.2. The distributions of population with regards to the districts and its growth rate during 1990-2000 periods are given in Table 2.3.
Average population growth rate of the city was 1.9% except for the period 1935-1940 where it was only 0.49%. This ratio is relatively higher than the world average (1.7%) and the European average (0.3%). Based on 1990 census results, annual population growth rate was 2.4% in Turkey. This ratio was recorded to be 6.1% and 2.7% for urban and rural populations of Denizli, respectively, representing the fact that the urban population of the province increases at a much faster rate than its rural population.
2.8. SOCIO-ECONOMIC FEATURES
Being situated on fertile lands with good transportation access, the province of Denizli has long been known as an agricultural center and trade hub of the region. In the last 30 years, however, it has shown a remarkable industrial development. The success behind this development is primarily due to the capital transfer to industry, which accumulated in years through hand crafts and weaving together with trading activities. Consequently, Denizli became the second fastest growing city of the Aegean region following Izmir. Gross National Product (GNP) of Denizli is in the order of 2133 US Dollars as of 2001 prices. When the entire GNP of Turkey is considered, it is seen that Denizli is ranked 20th among 81 provinces. This value corresponds to a share of 1.24% from the national economy.
Table 2.2 Population change in Denizli (1927-2000)
Census
Year
|
Urban
Population
|
Rural
Population
|
Total
Population
|
Population
Density
|
1927
|
41,209
|
202,603
|
243,812
|
21
|
1935
|
43,866
|
242,052
|
285,918
|
24
|
1940
|
47,619
|
237,606
|
285,225
|
24
|
1945
|
51,251
|
264,683
|
315,934
|
27
|
1950
|
61,297
|
278,980
|
340,277
|
29
|
1955
|
72,170
|
296,124
|
368,294
|
31
|
1960
|
100,916
|
324,533
|
425,449
|
36
|
1965
|
117,739
|
345,630
|
463,369
|
39
|
1970
|
141,309
|
369,851
|
511,160
|
43
|
1975
|
171,586
|
389,330
|
560,916
|
47
|
1980
|
205,938
|
397,400
|
603,338
|
51
|
1985
|
248,673
|
418,805
|
667,478
|
56
|
1990
|
337,793
|
413,089
|
750,882
|
63
|
2000
|
413,914
|
436,115
|
850,029
|
72
|
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