Area: 8.007 km²

Population: 959.257 (2000)

City, southwestern Turkey, near the Menderes River (the ancient Maeander). It is an important trading center on the Afyon-Izmir highway and rail line. Nearby is the site of ancient Tralles, said to have been founded by the Argives. Aydin was called Güzelhisar ("Beautiful Castle") under the Turkmen Mentese emirs in the 13th century. Renamed for the 14th-century ruling dynasty of Aydin, it was annexed to the Ottoman Empire about 1390. Timur Tamerlane), who conquered it in 1402, reestablished the rincipality of Aydin; but it was soon recaptured by the Ottomans. The city was heavily damaged in September 1922 when the retreating Greeks set it a fire as a final gesture before they surrendered to the Turkish nationalists.

AYDIN FOLK DANCES AND LOCAL OUTFITS: Zeybek is the mane given to the Turks living outside the rural parts of the Aegean region. Zeybeks are brave, earnest, and friendly people. Their chiefs are called “efe” and the assistants of the efes are called “kizan”. Zeybeks have given their name to one of the most interesting of the Anatolian folk dances. The figures used in these dances have been adapted from the typical movements of Zeybeks and their subjects are taken from the lives of these people. One can come across the traditional clothes only in the rural parts now, in festivals and celebrations. Yoruks and Turkmens always like their clothes to be colourful and appealing. Efe clothing is the symbol of Aydin. The dressing of Efes consist of tasselled fez, yemeni(a kind of cotton handkerchief), wadded jacket, double breasted waistcoat and baggy trousers. They put on knitted belts, a leather belt for carrying weapons and gailters.