Foca's Economy-Education-Culture

ECONOMY

The economy of the Foça region is based on fishing and tourism on the coast and agriculture in the country side. Primary products being olives, olive oil, cotton, vegetables and fruit orchards. Recent attempts at re-introducing the historically famous wine grape ‘Foça Karası’ has given tasteful results. Small scale organic farming exists in the surrounding villages.

EDUCATION

The town has a high level of education with a literacy rate of 98%. There are 2 high schools and 9 Elementary schools. The municipality is successful in organising various courses for the inhabitants.


CULTURE

To honour its rich cultural heritage, Foça will soon have a museum. In the meanwhile the old summer cinema is being converted to a multi purpose cultural centre.

How To Get There?

The nearest city is Izmir. Flights and buses are widely available from Istanbul and abroad. Ferries also arrive to Izmir from Venice, Bari and Pireus. The nearest international airport is 80 minutes drive away. Buses run regularly between Izmir Bus Terminal and Foça.

Foça accommodates a 100 yacht capacity marina (increased to 250 by 2007) and a recently opened Port of Entry, for tourists arriving by sea. Scheduled ferry services to the Greek Island of Lesbos are planned for 2006.

WHAT IS AROUND?

Izmir Centrum 70 km
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport 75 km
Bird Sanctuary (RAMSAR) 40 km
Bergama (Pergammon) 80 km
Sardes 90 km
Efes (Ephesus & Virgin Mary) 120 km
Bozdağ Mountain (skiing) 130 km
Behramkale (Assos) 220 km
Truva (Troy) 290 km

Foca's Climate

Foça has a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm with cool sea breezes and low level humidity at 64 %. Average summer temperature is 26C, with seawater at 22C. Temperatures peak during July and August to 35C. The peninsula is subject to plenty of wind making it ideal for water sports.

Where is Foca?

Foça is one of the 28 provinces of Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city. Foça is surrounded by the bay of Çandarlı to the north, Izmir Bay to the south, Menemen and River Gediz to the east and the Aegean Sea to the west. Spread over 228 km2, Foça is constituted of the sub districts; Yenifoça, Bağarası, Gerenköy and villages; Yenibağarası, Ilıpınar, Yeniköy, Kozbeyli.