İnegöl, located in the Marmara Region of Türkiye, is a district of Bursa province. As one of Bursa's largest districts in terms of population and industry, İnegöl ranks as Türkiye's 40th largest city. Located on the historical Silk Road, the district is at the intersection of important transportation routes in Anatolia, and is 3-5 hours away by highway from major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Its proximity to Gemlik and Mudanya ports (1-1.5 hours) and Yenişehir International Airport (half an hour) positions İnegöl strategically. İnegöl stands out with its furniture industry, agriculture, tourism potential, and rich cultural structure.

History

Archaeological excavations carried out in İnegöl in 1847 and 1942 revealed that its history dates back to 3,000 BC. The region, where many civilizations such as the Hittites, Bithynians, Lydians, Persians, and Macedonians held sway, came under Roman rule in the 2nd century BC, and then Byzantine rule from 395 AD. After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, İnegöl came under Seljuk rule, but was returned to Byzantium in 1097 with the Crusades. During the founding period of the Ottoman Principality, İnegöl was conquered by Turgut Alp in 1299-1300, and from that date became Ottoman territory. The district, whose name during the Byzantine period was “Angelacoma,” is referred to as “Ayna-Göl” or “İne-Göl” in Ottoman sources. Evliya Çelebi, in his Seyahatname (Book of Travels), narrates that the district's name originated from “Ezinegöl” because the conquest took place on a Friday (Ezine), and it eventually transformed into “İnegöl.”

During the Ottoman period, İnegöl developed through agriculture and husbandry, becoming a prosperous city with important structures like the Ishak Pasha Complex. After the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War, its population increased with the settlement of Caucasian and Balkan immigrants, and new neighborhoods and villages were established in the 1900s. Occupied by Greeks in 1920-1921, İnegöl was liberated by the Turkish army on September 6, 1922. During the Republican era, the district underwent rapid development in industry and agriculture, acquiring the appearance of a modern city.

Geographical Structure

İnegöl is located in the southeast of the Marmara Region, at 40° 09’ north latitude and 29° 09’ east longitude. It is built on a plain surrounded by Uludağ, Domaniç Mountain, and Ahı Mountain, 45 km southeast of Bursa. The İnegöl Plain has a fertile area of 148 km², covered with alluvium. The district's area is 1,065 km², surrounded by forested areas and plateaus extending from the foothills of Uludağ to Mezit Gorge. The main rivers are Kocadere, Karadere, Akdere, and Mezit; these rivers reach the Black Sea via the Sakarya River. There are no natural lakes in the district, but artificial lakes such as Eymir, Kurşunlu, Halhalca, Yenice Pond, and Boğazköy Dam exist.

Climate and Vegetation

İnegöl's climate has transitional characteristics between the Black Sea and Mediterranean climates. Summers are hot and less rainy (similar to the Mediterranean climate), while winters are cold and very rainy. The annual average temperature is 12.4°C, summer average is 21.9°C, and winter average is 2.3°C. The highest measured temperature is 41.2°C (August), and the lowest is -22.7°C. Snowfall is normal, and frost events are frequent.

Green dominates İnegöl's natural landscape. Forests cover 49% of the district, which is above the national average. The main tree species are pine, beech, fir, oak, linden, chestnut, and walnut. Shrub-form plants like elderberry, raspberry, blackberry, hawthorn, and Judas tree are found. In spring, meadows and forest clearings host approximately 600 plant species. Historical plane trees in the city center, especially around Ishak Pasha Mosque, are under protection.

Social Structure

İnegöl has a rich socio-cultural structure, consisting of local people (Manavs and Yoruks), Caucasian, Balkan, and Anatolian immigrants. Referred to as “Little Istanbul,” the district is dedicated to its national culture through cultural associations and societies. Immigrants from various regions preserve the folk dances of areas such as Caucasus, Rumelia, Bursa, Bilecik, and Artvin. İnegöl Mehter, established in 1959, is Türkiye's first civilian Ottoman military band, representing the district in cultural events both domestically and abroad. Traditionally, Hıdrellez (May 6) celebrations and “Dede Günü” (Grandfather's Day) dinner parties are organized in some neighborhoods.

Economic Structure

İnegöl is one of the shining stars of the Turkish economy. Furniture industry, agriculture, and textiles are the district's most important economic activities. İnegöl hosts 3 Organized Industrial Zones (İnegöl OIZ, Furniture Specialized OIZ, Yenice OIZ) and its foreign trade volume has exceeded 1 billion dollars. It demonstrates its economic strength with a foreign trade surplus of 691 million dollars.

Furniture and Wood Industry

İnegöl is one of Türkiye's furniture production centers. Woodworking, which began with oar production in 1523 Ottoman records, transformed into furniture manufacturing from the 1950s onwards. Today, approximately 2,000 furniture companies operate, and exports are made to 200 countries. MODEF fairs, held twice a year, introduce İnegöl furniture to the world. Türkiye's first Furniture Specialized OIZ is also located in the district.

Agriculture and Livestock

The fertile lands of the İnegöl Plain are suitable for agriculture. 72.8% of agricultural lands are allocated to field farming, 19% to vineyards and orchards, and 7.7% to vegetable farming. Peaches, pears, cherries, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and sunflower seeds are prominent products. Nursery farming is one of Türkiye's leading centers. In livestock, large and small ruminant breeding, beekeeping, and trout production are carried out. İnegöl Meatball is a geographically indicated registered brand.

Tourism Potential

İnegöl possesses significant tourism potential with its historical, natural, and cultural riches. Structures from the Ottoman period, hot springs, caves, plateaus, and nature sports tourism make the district attractive.

Historical Sites

Ishak Pasha Complex: The mosque, madrasah, and tomb built in 1481 are important examples of Ottoman architecture.
Yıldırım Mosque (Friday Mosque): Built by Yıldırım Bayezid in 1399-1400.
Karacabey Caravanserai: Built in Ortaköy in the 15th century.
İnegöl City Museum: Türkiye's first district city museum, located in the 150-year-old former municipality building.
Furniture and Wood Industry Museum: Chronologically exhibits İnegöl's furniture history.
Health History and Ambulance Museum: Stands out with its collection of classic and toy ambulances.

Nature and Thermal Springs

Oylat Thermal Springs: Located at the foothills of Uludağ, important for health tourism with its 40.5°C waters. Beneficial for rheumatism, skin diseases, and nervous disorders.
Oylat Cave: One of Türkiye's largest caves with a length of 750 meters.
Plateaus: Plateaus such as Alaçam, Boğazova, and Arapoturağı are ideal for nature tourism.
Fevziye Canyon: A popular destination for climbers and nature lovers.
DOSTUM (Nature Sports and Tourism Center): Offers activities like paragliding, archery, and motocross in Yeniceköy.

Cultural Events

İnegöl Mehter, İnegöl Meatball festivals, and agricultural festivals (strawberry, peach, blueberry) enrich the district's cultural tourism. Evliya Çelebi Road contributes to tourism as an international cultural route.

Demographic Structure

According to 2022 TÜİK data, İnegöl's population is 286,848. As the second-largest city in Southern Marmara, the district is Bursa's most populous non-central district. The population consists of local people, Caucasian, Balkan, and Anatolian immigrants. After the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War, the “93 Muhacirs” (immigrants) and exchange immigrants in the 20th century diversified the district's demographic structure. With the development of industry, migrations from surrounding provinces and different regions of Türkiye have increased the population. İnegöl has a dynamic and multicultural population structure.

Education

İnegöl's educational life began during the Ottoman period with the madrasah in the Ishak Pasha Complex. Schools opened with the Republic transformed the district into the region's education center. Today, it has 256 educational institutions, 57,000 students, and 3,600 teachers. İnegöl Faculty of Business and İnegöl Vocational School, affiliated with Uludağ University, play an important role in higher education.

Sports

Sports in İnegöl began with hunting, horsemanship, and wrestling before the Republic, and expanded to branches like football, athletics, and cycling with the Republic. İnegölspor, founded in 1984, has achieved success in professional leagues and produced national footballers. İsmail Arca from İnegöl wore the national team jersey 53 times.

Health

İnegöl's first hospital was opened in 1904 under the name Memleket Hospital. The 350-bed İnegöl State Hospital, which opened in 2014, provides modern healthcare services. Additionally, 23 Family Health Centers, an Oral and Dental Health Center, and private hospitals strengthen the healthcare infrastructure.

Sister Cities

İnegöl maintains sister city relationships with Georgia (Rustavi), Hungary (Dunaujvaros), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Donji Vakuf), and Kosovo (Mitrovica) within the scope of cultural and commercial cooperation.

İnegöl (District)