Karaman

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Karaman
Karaman by Karaman Governor's Website
Coordinates 37°11′N 33°13′E
area
9163 km2 (3,538/sq mi.)
elevation
1039 m. (3,409 ft.)
population
252377
calling code
(+90) 338
website
http://www.karaman.gov.tr/
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Karaman.jpg Karaman http://www.karaman.gov.tr Karaman Governor's Website

Location of Karaman within Turkey.

Karaman is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey.

Contents

[edit] History

The certain foundation date of Karaman province is unknown but it was called as "Laranda" in the ancient times. The region was an important trade and military center during the period of the Hittite civilization. It was controlled by the Frigs and Lydians later. First Romans and then Byzantines ruled the city until it was captured by the Seljuks in the early 12th century. In 1256, Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey conquered the city and by then it was renamed Karaman in his honour. In 1468 the region was conquered by the Ottomans.

In 1989, Karaman became the 70th province of Turkish State.

[edit] Navigation

Located in the south central Turkey, at the north of the Taurus Mountains, Karaman is surrounded by the cities Konya on the north, northeast and northwest, Mersin on the south and southeast and Antalya on the southwest.

[edit] Getting there

[edit] By plane

There's no airport in Karaman.

[edit] By train

Getting to Karaman via train is possible and the railway station is located at 1 km. distance to the city center. Railway Station Phone number# +90(338)213 3360.

[edit] By car

Located between Konya - Mersin - Antalya provinces, Karaman is reachable via land.

[edit] By bus

The bus station is located about 3 kilometers outside of the city center and transportation via public buses, commercial and shared taxis is available. Bus terminal phone number# +90(338)213 2465.

[edit] By boat

No sea connection available.

[edit] Getting around

Karaman's districts are; Ayrancı, Başyayla, Ermenek, Kazımkarabekir, Sarıveliler.

[edit] By car

Driving around the region can offer you more possibilities to enjoy the nature.

[edit] By public transport

There are city buses running around the city with cheap fares.

[edit] By foot

The city center can be covered by walking.

[edit] By bike

Karaman is a biking friendly city.

[edit] Weather

Terrestrial climate is dominant in Karaman where the summer seasons are hot and dry while the winter seasons are cold and precipitant. The average precipitation amount is 350 mm. per year.


Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high °C
(°F)
5
(41)
7
(44)
12
(54)
18
(64)
23
(73)
28
(82)
31
(88)
31
(88)
27
(81)
21
(69)
13
(55)
7
(45)
Average low °C
(°F)
-4
(25)
-3
(26)
-0
(32)
5
(41)
9
(47)
12
(54)
15
(59)
15
(58)
10
(50)
6
(42)
1
(33)
-2
(28)
Average sunlight hours
3.6
4.5
6.5
7.9
9.9
12
12.8
12.2
10.6
7.7
5.4
3.4
Average rainy days
9.9
10
9.5
8.5
8.6
5.1
2.1
1.9
2.1
5.7
7
10
Precipitation mm
(inches)
41
(1.6)
34
(1.3)
35
(1.4)
38
(1.5)
38
(1.5)
22
(0.9)
6
(0.2)
5
(0.2)
6
(0.2)
28
(1.1)
34
(1.3)
43
(1.7)
Source Turkish State Meteorological Service - Last Update on March 26, 2010

18 4.9 38.2 8.5 7.9 30.9 14.5 5.4 1.9 12.2 7 -2.1 43.2 10 3.4 6.7 -3.3 33.9 10 4.5 5.2 -3.9 41.2 9.9 3.6 31.1 15.1 5.5 2.1 12.8 27.6 12.3 22.3 5.1 12 12 -0.2 35.1 9.5 6.5 23 8.5 37.5 8.6 9.9 13 0.7 34.2 7 5.4 20.6 5.5 28.3 5.7 7.7 27.2 10.1 5.7 2.1 10.6 March 26, 2010 http://www.dmi.gov.tr/en-US/forecast-cities.aspx?m=karaman

Turkish State Meteorological Service

[edit] See

Karaman Museum hosts the local archeological and ethnographic findings. It's located in İmaret Mahallesi, Turgut Özal Avenue. Phone number# +90(338)213 1536.

Aktekke Mosque was constructed during the Karamanoğlu period and has shear stones with a large central dome and a high minaret.

Yunus Emre Mosque was also constructed in the Karamanoğlu period and inside there's the tomb of famous Turkish intellectual and thinker Mutasavvıf Yunus Emre.

Binbir Churches are located at 50 km. distance to the north of the Karaman Province, at the skirts of Karadağ mountain.

Derbe Church is located in Ekinözü village, 23 km. away from the city center. It's believed that the Derbe Church is among the first churches constructed in the world.

Hışlayık Cave is located in Ayrancı district of Karaman and is worth seeing.

There are also a number of castles that are interesting to visit. Karaman Castle was constructed by the Seljuks, in 12th century. Ermenek Castle was built by the Karamanoğulları. Mennan Castle is also located in in Ermenek. Built during the Byzantine period, İlisıra Castle is in İmirme, Yollarbaşı town of Karaman. Gaferiyet Kalesi is located in Kazımkarabekir district.Divle Castle is located in Divle (Üç Harman) village of Ayrancı district and it's like an apartment with many floors.

[edit] Do

Enjoy the plateaus of Karaman which are used for the live stock of the villagers. Especially the plateaus at the Ermenek Region are highly recommended because of trekking, local food and beverage varieties, natural mineral water and promenade areas.

Visit the bridges of Karaman. Görmel Bridge was constructed by the Karamanoğulları and located in Ermenek. Karaman Bridge is in Ayrancı district. Selavat Bridge is on Göksu river, in Göçer village of Karaman. Ak Bridge is located in Yeşildere town of Karaman and also belongs to the period of Karamanoğulları.

Shop in the Zeyve Bazaar. The wooden engraving craftsmanship, carpentry, embroidery, carpets (Taşkale, Şirvan, Koraş carpets) and hand crafts are favorite souvenirs of the region.

[edit] Eat

The local cuisine has a rich variety of delicious dishes. Karaman kebab, Arabaşı Çorbası (soup), bidik, erişte pilavı (rice), guymak(dessert), İlisıra Dolması (stuffed), İncir Dolması (sweet with fig), İrmik Helvası (halva sweet), oklavadan çekme (pastry) are some of the most famous ones.

[edit] Drink

Try kefir (kephir) which is a kind of ayran drink made of milk and healthy for many reasons.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

Nas Hotel is a 2 stars hotel located on İsmetpaşa caddesi, No:30 in Karaman. It has 44 rooms and can be reached at +90(338)213 8200.

[edit] Mid-Range

Bayrakçı Hotel is 3 stars hotel located on Ozcan Genç Caddesi in the city center. Its phone number is +90((338)212 8685.

[edit] Upscale

Selçuklu Hotel [1] is a nice hotel located in Ermenek district of Karaman. Its phone number is +90(338)716 4080.

Osmanli Prestij Hotel [2]is located in the city center of Karaman and has a nice style of decoration. Its phone number is +90(338)228 0360.

[edit] Work

Karaman's economy depends on agriculture. For foreigners a valid work permit is necessary for legal purposes.

[edit] Learn

Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey University[3] has 3 faculties, 5 colleges and 2 institutes. The university offers Erasmus exchange programme and for further information it can be reached at +90(338)226 2000.

[edit] Keep connected

[edit] Internet

Most of the hotels have wireless internet access. There are internet cafes located around the city center offering cheap internet services.

[edit] Phone

You can use the metered phones located around the city. The phone code for Karaman is +90 (338).

[edit] Post

There are 5 branches of national post office located in the city and the main one is in Ahi Osman Mahallesi, Molla Fenari Caddesi, No:1/C. Its phone number is +90(338)213 4343.

[edit] Safety

Karaman is a safe city but for emergencies you can call 155 or reach the police department of Karaman[4] at +90(338)212 1042.

[edit] Stay Healthy

Karaman Devlet Hastanesi(State hospital)[5]-Phone number# +90(338)212 9564.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://www.iwasinturkey.com/wiki-guide/Karaman"
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