Yalova used to be a district of Istanbul
until some years ago and than became a province itself having 100.000 inhabitants
approximately and is a beautiful city in the Marmara
region of Anatolia with green plateaus, agricultural
areas and spas. Yalova hot springs are located to the south of the Sea
of Marmara, 11 km southwest of the town of Yalova in a wonderfully green
setting. There is a good road between Istanbul
- Yalova and Bursa - Yalova and car and passenger
ferries have a regular schedule between Istanbul
- Yalova (50 minutes journey).
The Yalova hot springs have a natural water outlet, flowing at a rate of 15 liters per second with the potential capacity of 1,651 person/day/bath and 1651 beds on the basis of 600 liters per person l day l bath.
The hot springs have a composition of sodium chloride, calcium sulfate and fluoride. With a temperature of 57 to 60 C, 7.3 to 7.6 PH, and 1,435 mg/lt total mineral content, the waters are suitable for both bathing and drinking. Yalova hot springs are known for their therapeutic qualities, especially for rheumatic diseases, digestive maladies, neurological and urological disorders and metabolic problems.
Yalova spa incorporates open and covered pools, baths, offers massage,
underwater massage and drinking cures. The spa includes two hotels with
a total of 202 beds, a first-class restaurant with typical Turkish
meals, cafe, a very attractive park and forest.
On 17th August 1999, at 03:02 AM, a devastating earthquake (7.4 Richter scale) struck the city when people were asleep and killed thousands of citizens leaving more than 50.000 homeless. Izmit, Adapazari, Bursa, Bolu and Istanbul are amongst other provinces damaged by this quake.
|