Tuzla is located on the eastern border of Istanbul Province as one of the coastal settlements that can preserve the architectural and natural beauty of the Istanbul Metropolitan Area. Tuzla, which has been a settlement site since ancient history, is known by the name Akritas Burnu in the text regarding the Gulf of İzmit found in the work of J. Pargorire (1872-1907) Dymotionlu Stophanes. It was once a Greek fishing village and served as a hideout for pirates traveling between İzmit and Istanbul. During those times, it was surrounded by a fortress built by the Byzantine lord of Aydost and fell into the hands of the Turks during the time of Abdurrahman Gazi. It became a place for ship caulking and harbor. Up until the last years of the Ottoman Empire, Greeks and Turks lived together here.
In the last years of the Ottoman Empire, Tuzla was a settlement connected to Üsküdar, and in 1908, it became Turkey’s first village settlement. With the Lausanne Treaty, Turks arriving from Thessaloniki settled in Tuzla, and most of the Greeks migrated to Greece. Tuzla became an independent municipality in 1936 and was connected to Kartal District in 1951. Due to the establishment of Pendik District in 1987, it was also linked to Pendik District. Tuzla became an independent district under the name Tuzla, separated from Pendik District, with the decision of the Council of Ministers No. 3806 published in the Official Gazette No. 21247 on June 3, 1992. In the streets and alleys of Tuzla, as well as in the gardens of houses, numerous architectural elements from the Byzantine era can be found.
During the first historical excavation conducted in 1972, a Byzantine Church was uncovered, and in the second excavation, the Saint Andre Monastery built on Ekrembey Island was revealed. Hagios Gikara Monastery is located on Fig Island, and Hagios Georgios Monastery is situated on the peninsula north of the Tuz Burnu. There are seven churches and a mosque built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I in Tuzla, classified as historical artifacts. Our village Orhanlı was established around 600 years ago, and it is known that the Aydınlı neighborhood was also founded during the same period. POPULATION: As of the general population census conducted in the year 2023, the total population living within the boundaries of Tuzla District is 288,878. Additionally, there is a temporary summer population consisting of visitors to both recreational facilities and summer houses.
In addition, the workers employed in construction due to urbanization also increase the existing population during the summer months. Moreover, Tuzla Central, its neighborhoods, and villages are being developed. Particularly in the area south of the railway, which is considered the main Tuzla region, many housing cooperative projects are underway. Some of these cooperative constructions have been completed and opened for settlement, while a large portion of them is still under construction. There are also vacant lands still available in the form of fields and plots that are contenders for the same situation. Along with these, the inclusion of the Organized Leather Industry Zone within our district boundaries brings about rapid population growth.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION; To the east of Tuzla is the district of Gebze, to the west is Pendik, to the north is Pendik, and to the south is the Sea of Marmara. Tuzla has a rugged land structure. To the south of Tuzla, Tuz Burnu creates a significant protrusion. The coast of Tuzla is indented and protruded with capes and bays. In Tuzla Bay, there are Mezar Burnu, Dalyan Burnu, Tuz Burnu, Sarp Burnu, and to the south of Tuz Burnu are Şemsiye Island, Korsan Island, İncir Island, and Ekrembey (Donkey Island). Additionally, Sakız Island Cape and İçmeler Cape make distinct protrusions. Our district is located in the southwestern part of the Kocaeli Peninsula in the Marmara Region. It is the last point on the Asian side of Istanbul. It is located 32 km away from Haydarpaşa.
To the north and west is Pendik district, to the east is Gebze district (Kocaeli), and to the south is the Sea of Marmara. Our district has an area of eighty-six square kilometers and boasts a coastline of 13 km along the Sea of Marmara. The southernmost point of the district, Tuzla Burnu, creates a significant protrusion. From the coastal areas of Aydıntepe to the center, the coast is indented and protruded with bays and capes. Following Tuzla Bay are Mezar Burnu, Mesari Burnu, Limon Burnu, and Dalyan Burnu. The furthest protrusions are Tuzla Burnu and Sarp Burnu. To the south of Tuzla Burnu are Şemsiye Island, Korsan Island, and İncir Island. To the north, Sakız Island Cape and İçmeler Cape show distinct protrusions. Off the coast of Sakız Burnu is Eşek Island (Ekrem Bey Island). The coasts are high where the hills are close to the sea, and generally low where the inner parts of the hills are located.
In the lands of Tuzla, mountainous areas are more abundant than flat ones. There are quite large flat areas near the sea, and as you go inland, the elevation increases. The flats extend between the hills in the form of plateaus. In the highest places, the elevation above sea level does not exceed 300 meters. Karatepe in Aydınlı is 190 meters above sea level, while Kavastepe is at an elevation of 109 meters.
**VEGETATION;** The natural vegetation, which should ideally be forest, has been cut down and replaced by shrubs and heathlands. In rural areas, maquis is generally dominant. Here, oak, dwarf shrubs, broom plant, heather, horse-burdock, blackthorn, and laurel are the prevalent trees.
**CLIMATE;** The district generally exhibits characteristics of a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are rainy and cool. Spring is cool and rainy, and fall is mild and rainy. The average temperature throughout the year is 14 degrees Celsius. It has been observed that temperatures can rise to 39 degrees Celsius in mid-summer and drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius in mid-winter. The average annual humidity rate is 72%. The average annual precipitation is 720 mm, mostly occurring as rain. The average number of snowy days in a year is 9. The most frequent winds in the district are the northwesterly winds in summer and the southwesterly winds in winter. Storms are seen with the southwesterly winds.