We do not have precise and clear information about Yalova and its region in ancient times since there is no historical research done by archaeological excavations. Since there was no information at the beginning, it was not possible to reveal the history alone. According to the assumptions obtained from the finds, Yalova is a gateway in the Prehistoric age. In this region, Phrygians in 1200 BC, In 700 BC years, the Bithynes became dominant. The region, which came under the rule of the Roman people in 74 BC. When Rome was divided into two in 395, Yalova remained within the borders of eastern Rome. Today's Yalova hot springs have an important place in history. The reliefs of the god of power Herakles (Hercules), the god of health Asclepius, the hot god and the nymphs of the Nymphs, are seen on the outer walls of the Kurşunlu Bath, which is estimated to have occurred with a earthquake in 1200 BC. It is believed that in an incident that occurred in 300s AD, three sisters named Menedora, Metrodora and Nymphadora healed patients. These three sisters, on the other hand, switch the people from idolatry to Christianity. The situation is learned by the pagan Byzantine Emperor Galerius Maximianus and three sisters are asked to return to idolatry. They are killed when they do not accept. This event is known to Christians as a sacred event. When Christianity spreads in the region, a visit is made on the hill where the graves of these sisters known as three saints are located.
It is known that Termal had a great reputation as a resting and treatment place for the emperors in the Byzantine period. After the victory of the Battle of Manzikert, Seljuk armies reached the Aegean and Marmara shores. Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Shah, who made Iznik the capital in 1075, quickly took Yalova, Karamürsel, izmit and came to Istanbul Gates. However, during the Crusades, which started after the death of Süleyman Shah in 1086, it suffered a great destruction in Yalova with the whole region. After the Battle of Bafeus on 27 July 1301, Yalova and its surroundings came under Turkish domination. It is known that the Battle of Bafeus is located near Altinova today. With the Ottoman forces defeating the Byzantine army under the command of Muzalon in the Bafeus, the Ottoman Seigniory has now taken an important step towards becoming a regular state. On the other hand, this event is the beginning of Byzantine's inevitable collapse. When Yalova joined the Ottoman lands, the Greek and Armenian populations were dominant. The Muslim Turkish population started to increase. While Yalova was a district of Bursa Central Sanjak in 1867, it was connected to the independent Izmit Sanjak in 1901. Yalova, which was occupied by the Greek Military troops during the War of Independence, got rid of the enemy invasion on 19 July 1921 with the great struggle.
Atatürk came to Yalova for the first time on August 19, 1929 after the War of Independence.
He ensured that Thermal was revived. At the request of Atatürk, who made Yalova literally a summer capital, Yalova, which joined among the districts of Istanbul in 1930, was published by the publication of the official decree dated June 5, 1995 and numbered 22305, on June 5, 1995. The district of Armutlu, which is connected to Gemlik district of Bursa, was included in the district, and Altınova district, which is connected to Kocaeli, was built within borders.
Yalova is one of the rare provinces in the Marmara region, where the sea and the forests blend. History of Yalova BC It dates back to the Bitinya Kingdom, which reigned in 3000 years. Yalova, which is influenced by different cultures in every period, It gained more importance especially in the Roman period due to its hot springs. This region, conquered by Kara Ali in 1326, was later named Yalakabad. After the establishment of the new Republic, the region begins to develop further. With the support of Atatürk, hot springs facilities have been developed and become usable. In addition, farms engaged in research on greenhouse cultivation, apple and flower production, animal husbandry and milk production were established.
Yalova is in the first place in our country in the production of cut and potted flowers with its greenhouses. Yalova is also known as the summer resort of several industrial establishments around the world, as well as in metropolises such as Ankara, Istanbul, Bursa and Izmit. After the 17 August 1999 earthquake disaster, Yalova gained a new appearance in 2000s.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Yalova is located in the southeastern part of Turkey's northwest Marmara. In the north and west of the province, there is the bursa and the gulf of Gemlik in the south of Kocaeli in the east of marmara sea. Yalova 39-40 north latitude 29-61 east longitudes are 2 meters high from the sea and the highest point is 926 meters. With an area of 839 square kilometers, it covers 0.11 percent of the country's surface area. Yalova has a mountainous land apart from the plains on the east coast. Yalova region is covered by the Samanlı Mountains, which combine with the Kocaeli mountain ranges between Iznik Sapanca from the south of the region and from west to east. Beşpınar Hill is the highest hill (926 m.) In this mountainous area with many hills. The borders of the province of Yalova from the north to the southwest are surrounded by the Marmara sea.
Coasts do not show any indented features. The maquis and forests make up the vegetation of the province. The maquis, located in the valley in the north and south of Samanlı mountains, are found in intermittent strips and pieces along the skirts of this mass. The steep slopes in the south of Yalova are completely covered with a lush forest cover. Forests cover about 59 percent of the province.
Beech, oak, hornbeam, cranberry, chestnut and lime trees are generally seen in forest areas. The climate of Yalova, which is located in the east of the Marmara region, is a type of macroclimate, a transition between the Mediterranean and Black Sea climates. Yalova climate reflects continental climate characteristics in some periods. In the Yalova region, three main types of air flows, with calm qualifications, dominate from the north and south. Summers are hot and dry winters are warm and rainy in the province.
The province consists of six districts together with the central district according to today's administrative division. Districts are Altınova, Armutlu, Çınarcık, Çiftlikköy and Termal. There are a total of 15 municipalities in Yalova, together with the center and 5 district municipalities. There are 1 (Kadıköy) town in the central district, 3 (Kaytazdere, Subaşı and Tavsanli) in Altinova, 4 (Korukoy, Esenkoy, Tesvikiye and Kocadere) in Cinarcik, and 1 (Taskopru) municipality in Ciftlikkoy. The total population of Yalova, together with its center, districts, towns and villages, is 202,531 according to the 2009 General Address Based Population Census.