View source for Kartal

{{About|the district of Istanbul}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox Turkey place
| type                 = metro district
| name                 = Kartal
| image_skyline        = Büyükada (54543953635).jpg
| image_caption        = Skyline of Kartal and [[Maltepe, Istanbul|Maltepe]] in the background, as seen from [[Büyükada]]
| image_map            = Istanbul location Kartal.svg
| map_caption          = Map showing Kartal District in Istanbul Province
| coordinates          = {{coord|40|53|14|N|29|11|24|E|region:TR|display=inline,title}}
| province             = Istanbul
| leader_party         = CHP
| leader_name          = Gökhan Yüksel
| leader_name1         = 
| area_total_km2       = 38
| elevation_m          = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name=tuik/>
| population_total     = 483418
| population_as_of     = 2022
| postal_code          = 
| area_code            = 0216
| website              = {{url|http://www.kartal.bel.tr/}}
}}
'''Kartal''' ({{IPA|tr|ˈkaɾtaɫ|lang}}) is a municipality and [[Districts of Turkey|district]] of [[Istanbul Province|Istanbul Province, Turkey]].<ref>[https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx Büyükşehir İlçe Belediyesi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706215822/https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx |date=6 July 2015 }}, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 12 July 2023.</ref> Its area is 38&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.harita.gov.tr/uploads/files-folder/il_ilce_alanlari.xlsx|title=İl ve İlçe Yüz ölçümleri|publisher=General Directorate of Mapping|access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref> and its population is 483,418 (2022).<ref name=tuik>{{Cite web |title=Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports|url=https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en |access-date=12 July 2023|publisher=[[TÜİK]]|language=en|format=XLS}}</ref> It is located on the Asian side of the city, on the coast of the [[Marmara Sea]] between [[Maltepe, Istanbul|Maltepe]] and [[Pendik]].

Despite being far from the city centre, Kartal is heavily populated (total population nearly 500,000). The district's neighbours are Maltepe to the west, [[Sultanbeyli]] and [[Sancaktepe]] to the north and [[Pendik]] to the east. Inland from the coast, the land rises sharply up to the hills Yakacık and [[Aydos Hill|Aydos]], the latter of which is the highest point in [[Istanbul]].<ref>[https://www.kartal24.com/113310-highest-hill-of-istanbul What is the highest point of Istanbul?] Kartal 24</ref>

==History==
Kartal ('[[eagle]]' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]], by folk etymology) was a fishing village on the shore of the Marmara Sea during the [[Byzantine Empire]], called '''Kartalimen''' or '''Kartalimin''' in [[Greek language|Greek]], and was founded at the beginning of the 6th century. In the 11th century, the town was conquered by the ruler of the [[Seljuks]], [[Suleyman Shah]]. In 1329, Kartal became part of the [[Ottoman Empire]], the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] re-took the city in 1403, however, and held it for 17 years before losing it to the Ottomans again.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kartal.gov.tr/default_B1.aspx?content=186 |publisher=Kartal Kaymakamlığı |title=Kartal İlçe Tarihi |language=tr |access-date=7 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011192308/http://www.kartal.gov.tr/default_B1.aspx?content=186 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.kartal.bel.tr/content/kartal-guide-history-of-kartal.aspx |publisher=Kartal Municipality |title=History of Kartal |access-date= 7 September 2012}}</ref>

According to the Ottoman General Census of 1881/82-1893, the [[kaza]] of Kartal had a total population of 12,969, consisting of 6,920 [[Ottoman Greeks|Greeks]], 5,095 Muslims, 869 [[Armenians in the Ottoman Empire|Armenians]], 3 [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], 1 [[History of the Jews in the Ottoman Empire|Jew]] and 81 foreign citizens.<ref>[[Kemal Karpat]] (1985), [https://kupdf.net/downloadFile/59e4a7b908bbc56144e653d7 Ottoman Population, 1830-1914, Demographic and Social Characteristics], [[The University of Wisconsin Press]], p. 138-139</ref>

By 1947, Kartal was an industrial area and with the introduction of commuter trains to [[Haydarpaşa Terminal]] from [[Gebze]] in 1973, Kartal became even more important as an industrial area of Istanbul. However, the current trend is that factories are being closed down and moved inland. For example, the large cement factory on the shore, which is to be converted into a cultural center, was closed in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tbmm.gov.tr/develop/owa/Tutanak_B_SD.birlesim_baslangic?P4=435&P5=B&page1=72&page2=72 |publisher=TCBMM |title=Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi Genel Kurul Tutanağı 20. Dönem 3. Yasama Yılı 115. Birleşim|language= tr |access-date=13 September 2012|date= 3 July 1998}}</ref>

There is a historical Roman bath ruin near Dragos Hill, which is being recovered by the [[Istanbul Archaeology Museums]], with the financial support of Kartal Municipality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kartal.bel.tr/tr/dosyalar/faaliyet_raporu/2010/bolum1_2010.pdf|publisher=Kartal Municipality|title=Kartal Belediyesi 2010 Faaliyet Raporu|access-date= 3 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://video.cnnturk.com/video/arama/?t=10431|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121033835/http://video.cnnturk.com/video/arama/?t=10431|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 January 2013|publisher=[[CNN Türk]]|title=Tarihi eserler günışığına çıkıyor|access-date=3 December 2012}}</ref>

In 2008, parts of Kartal were merged with parts of Ümraniye to form the new district of Sancaktepe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sancaktepe Tarihi |url=https://www.sancaktepe.bel.tr/sancaktepe/sancaktepe-tarihi |website=Sancaktepe Belediyesi |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

==Kartal today==
Luxury apartment complexes have been built on the coast, along with much more housing inland and this has attracted more shops and infrastructure.

Housing is of good-quality in general.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}  Building near the coast slowed after the 1999 earthquake, when people became aware that a major fault line runs just off this coast. However, building on the high ground inland is proceeding apace.

On 4 June 2007, the Greater Istanbul Municipality and the former mayor of Kartal announced that a new urban city environment would be built in Kartal-Pendik. The plan includes a central business district, luxury residential developments, cultural facilities such as concert halls, museums, and theatres, and leisure locations including a marina and tourist hotels.<ref>[http://www.arcspace.com/architects/hadid/kartal_pendik/kp.html Zaha Hadid Architects Kartal - Pendik Masterplan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513153144/http://www.arcspace.com/architects/hadid/kartal_pendik/kp.html|date=13 May 2008}}.</ref>

Kartal is the terminal station of [[M4 (Istanbul Metro)|Kadıköy - Sabiha Gökçen Airport metro line]]. The [[Marmaray]] for commuter trains also passes through Kartal.

==Geography==
The coast of Kartal has sandy and [[clay]] soils, whereas the northern part of the district is mostly [[silica]]. On Yakacık Hill, there are [[limestone]] and [[quartz]] deposits. 

The streams of [[Paşaköy, Kartal|Paşaköy]], [[Kavaklıdere, Kartal|Kavaklıdere]] and [[Fındıklı, Kartal|Fındıklı]] feed the reservoir behind the [[Ömerli Dam]].

===Composition===
There are 20 [[mahalle|neighbourhoods]] in Kartal District:<ref>[https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx Mahalle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706215822/https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx |date=6 July 2015 }}, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 12 July 2023.</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* Atalar
* Çavuşoğlu
* Cevizli
* Cumhuriyet
* Esentepe
* Gümüşpınar
* Hürriyet
* Karlıktepe
* Kordonboyu
* Orhantepe
* Orta
* Petrol Iş
* Soğanlık Yeni
* Topselvi
* Uğur Mumcu
* [[Yakacık Çarşı]]
* Yakacık Yeni
* Yalı
* Yukarı
* Yunus
{{div col end}}

==Religion==
The majority religion of today's Kartal is [[Islam]]. [[Kartal Cemevi]] is one of the several [[Alevi]] temples in [[Istanbul]]. [[Kartal Surp Nişan Armenian Orthodox Church]] (Holy Cross Armenian Church) is an [[Armenian Church]]<ref>[http://www.vgm.gov.tr/sayfa.aspx?Id=38 T.C. Başbakanlık Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724123834/http://www.vgm.gov.tr/sayfa.aspx?Id=38 |date=24 July 2012 }}.</ref> located on the downtown of Kartal. [[Muhammad Maarifi Mosque]] which is also in Kartal features the mausoleum of the founder of the Maarifi Islamic order. There are seventy mosques within the district.<ref>[http://en.kartal.bel.tr/content/kartal-guide-places-of-worship.aspx Kartal Municipality Official Site - Worship].</ref>

==Transport==
;[[Istanbul Metro|Metro]]
*[[M4 (Istanbul Metro)|M4 Kadıköy - Sabiha Gökçen Airport metro line]]

;[[Public transport in Istanbul|Train Line]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marmaray.gov.tr/ |title = Marmararay - ASRIN PROJESİ MARMARAY}}</ref>
*[[Marmaray]] Train Line

;[[Public transport in Istanbul#Ferryboats|Ferryboats]]
*Kartal - [[Princes' Islands]] boats<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prenstur.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=135 |publisher=Prenstur |title=2012 Yaz Tarifesi |language=tr |access-date=7 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907132615/http://www.prenstur.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=135 |archive-date=7 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Recreation==
A part of the [[Kartal Park, Istanbul|Kartal Park]] was developed in July 2018 as a "mist" park" featuring articial mist, colorful light effects and classical music attracting local residents and mainly children during hot summer days.<ref name="aa1"/>

==Sister towns==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Ardino]], [[Bulgaria]]
* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Asparuhovo, Varna|Asparuhovo]], [[Bulgaria]]
* {{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Banovići]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Bor, Niğde|Bor]], [[Niğde]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Buzovna]], [[Azerbaijan]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Gölpazarı]], [[Bilecik]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Çüngüş]], [[Diyarbakır]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Damal]], [[Ardahan]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Northern Cyprus}} [[Agios Amvrosios, Kyrenia|Agios Amvrosios]], [[Northern Cyprus]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Gölpazarı]], [[Bilecik]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Hacıbektaş]], [[Niğde]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[İmrenler]], [[Konya]]
* {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Ilfov County|Ilfov]], [[Romania]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Kemalpaşa]], [[Artvin]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Mudurnu]], [[Bursa]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Ovacık, Tunceli|Ovacık]], [[Tunceli]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Ömerli, Mardin|Ömerli]], [[Mardin]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Pınarhisar]], [[Kırklareli]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Sjenica]], [[Serbia]]
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Subaşı, Yalova|Subaşı]], [[Yalova]], [[Turkey]]
* {{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina|Visoko]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{portal|Turkey}}
* [[List of districts of Istanbul]]
* [[March 9, 2004 attack on Istanbul restaurant|9 March 2004, attack on Istanbul restaurant]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="aa1">{{cite news |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yasam/istanbulda-cocuklara-sis-parki-eglencesi/1209029 |newspaper=[[Anadolu Agency]] |title=İstanbul'da çocuklara 'Sis Parkı' eğlencesi |date=20 July 2018 |language=tr |access-date=26 July 2018 }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kartal, Istanbul}}
* [http://www.kartal.gov.tr The Government Office at Kartal] (in [[Turkish language|Turkish]])
* [http://en.kartal.bel.tr/ Kartal Municipality]

{{Districts of Turkey |provname=Istanbul}}

[[Category:Kartal| ]]
[[Category:6th-century establishments in the Byzantine Empire]]
[[Category:Metropolitan district municipalities in Turkey]]
[[Category:Districts of Istanbul Province]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Turkey]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 6th century]]
[[Category:Populated places in Istanbul Province]]