Manisa Province Manisa ili |
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Province of Turkey | |
Location of Manisa Province in Turkey |
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Country | Turkey |
Region | Aegean |
Subregion | Manisa |
Government | |
• Electoral district | Manisa |
Area | |
• Total | 13,810 km2 (5,330 sq mi) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 1,379,484 |
• Density | 100/km2 (260/sq mi) |
Area code(s) | 0236 |
Vehicle registration | 45 |
Manisa Province (Turkish: Manisa ili) is a province in western Turkey. Its neighboring provinces are İzmir to the west, Aydın to the south, Denizli to the south east, Uşak to the east, Kütahya to the north east, and Balıkesir to the north. The seat of the province is the city of Manisa. Its provincial capital is the city of Manisa, the traffic code is 45.
The Mount Sipylus national park (Spil Dağı Milli Parkı) near the city of Manisa covers a richly forested area, hot springs, and the famous "crying rock" of Niobe, and a Hittite carving of the Goddess Cybele (Mother Goddess). The park boasts of having within its boundaries about 120 varieties of native plants, especially wild tulips. The park provides opportunities for mountaineering and camping.
Sardis, in Salihli, was the ancient capital of Lydia, once ruled by King Croesus, who was renowned for his wealth. Due to numerous earthquakes, most of the visible remains date back only to Roman times. There are the remains of the temple of Artemis and a restored gymnasium, exhibiting of the past splendor of this ancient city. The splendid synagogue from the 3rd century is worth visiting, with its elaborate mosaics and artfully carved colored-stone panels.