- published: 26 Jan 2016
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Tekirdağ (pronounced [tekiɾdaɣ]; see also its other names), the ancient Bisanthi or Bysanthe (Ancient Greek: Βισάνθη or Βυσάνθη), is a city in Turkey. It is a part of the region historically known as Eastern Thrace. Tekirdağ is the capital of Tekirdağ Province, felt by the local people to be a quieter and more pleasant town than the industrial centre of Çorlu, which it administers. The city population as of 2009 was 140,535. There are honorary consulates of Hungary and Bulgaria in Tekirdağ.
Tekirdağ was called Bisanthi or Bysanthe (Βισάνθη/Βυσάνθη), and also Rodosto (Ρωδόστο) or Rhaedestos (Ραιδεστός) in classical antiquity. The latter name was used till the Byzantine era, transformed to Rodosçuk after it fell to the Ottomans in the 14th century. After the 18th century it was called Tekfurdağı, sometimes said[by whom?] to be based on the Turkish word tekfur, meaning "Byzantine feudal lord" – though this etymology has been challenged.[by whom?] In time, the name mutated into the Turkish Tekirdağ, and this became the official name under the Turkish Republic. The historical name "Rhaedestos" (transcribed also as Raidestos) was continuously used till today in Greek Orthodox ecclesiastical context (e.g. Bishop of Raidestos, Metropolitanate of Heraclia and Raidestos(18th-19th c.).
The Tekirdağ Province (Turkish: Tekirdağ ili , pronounced [teˈkiɾdaː]) is in Trakya (Thrace), the northwestern part of Turkey. The capital city is Tekirdağ. It is famous for its meatball called "Tekirdağ köfte" and the Turkish alcoholic drink called Tekirdağ rakısı.
Tekirdağ province is divided into 9 districts (capital district in bold):
Media related to Tekirdağ Province at Wikimedia Commons
Coordinates: 41°05′11″N 27°21′28″E / 41.08639°N 27.35778°E / 41.08639; 27.35778