Isparta

Isparta
Municipality
Isparta from the air (February 2011)
Isparta
Coordinates: 37°45′53″N 30°33′24″E / 37.76472°N 30.55667°E / 37.76472; 30.55667Coordinates: 37°45′53″N 30°33′24″E / 37.76472°N 30.55667°E / 37.76472; 30.55667
Country	Turkey
Province	Isparta
District	Isparta
Government
• Mayor	Yusuf Ziya Günaydın (MHP)
Area
• District	682.41 km2 (263.48 sq mi)
Population (2012)
• Urban	198,385
• District	219,904
• District density	320/km2 (830/sq mi)
Post code	32000
Website	www.isparta.bel.tr

Isparta (Greek: Σπάρτη, also Baris/Βάρις in Byzantine Greek) is a city in western Turkey and the capital of Isparta Province. As Ancient Baris, a former city and bishopric of Pisidia, it remains a Catholic titular see. The city's population was 222,556 in 2010 and its elevation is 1035 m. It is also known as the "City of Roses".

Süleyman Demirel University has introduced thousands of youths from various backgrounds to the city's mostly conservative fabric in the recent years. The city's football team, Ispartaspor, currently plays in Group 7 of the Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Isparta is well-connected to other parts of Turkey via roads. Antalya lies 130 km to the south and Eskişehir is 350 km to the north.

Isparta corresponds to the ancient city of Baris, which (has a namesakes and) was part of the Roman province of Pisidia. At an early stage it became a Christian bishopric, a suffragan of the Metropolitan see of Antioch of Pisidia, the capital of the province. The names of two of its bishops are known with certainty: Heraclius participated in the First Council of Nicaea in 325, and Leo in the Second Council of Nicaea in 787. In addition, Paulus was at the Council of Constantinople (869) and Stephanus was at the Council of Constantinople (879), but one or both of these may have been of the Baris in the Roman province of Hellespontus. Like most sees in Asia Minor, it faded.