Polatlı

Polatlı
City
The ruins of Gordion, Polatlı
Location of Polatlı within Turkey.
Polatlı Location of Polatlı within Turkey.
Coordinates: 39°35′03″N 32°08′50″E / 39.58417°N 32.14722°E / 39.58417; 32.14722Coordinates: 39°35′03″N 32°08′50″E / 39.58417°N 32.14722°E / 39.58417; 32.14722
Country	Turkey
Province	Ankara
Government
• Mayor	Mürsel Yıldızkaya (MHP)
• Governor	Hüseyin Eker
Area
• District	3,465.81 km2 (1,338.16 sq mi)
Elevation	850 m (2,790 ft)
Population (2012)
• Urban	101,012
• District	119,349
• District density	34/km2 (89/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	06xxx
Area code(s)	0312
Licence plate	06
Website	www.polatli.gov.tr

Polatlı (formerly Ancient Greek: Γορδιον, Gòrdion and Latin: Gordium) is a city and a district in Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, 80 km west of the Turkish capital Ankara, on the road to Eskişehir. According to 2010 census, population of the district is 117,473 of which 98,605 live in the city of Polatlı. The district covers an area of 3,789 km², and the average elevation is 850 m.

Polatlı is situated at the heart of the high Anatolian plateau, a large steppe covered with grass. Far from the coast, it has a typical steppes' climate. The winters are generally cold, the summers dry and dusty. The springs are the most humid times of the year. Polatlı is one of the most productive agricultural districts in Turkey and is best known for its cereal production, especially barley and wheat. Polatlı is one of Turkey's largest grain stores. Sugar beet, melon and onion are also grown.

The ancient Phrygian capital Gordion is 10 km from the city of Polatlı. On his expedition to the east, Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordian Knot, an omen of his coming rule over the whole Asia. Pessinus, an ancient city on the upper river Sangarios (modern day Sakarya River), is also within the borders of Polatlı. The mythological Phrygian King Midas is said to have ruled from Pessinus and to be buried here.