The First Capital of The Ottoman Empire: Bursa

Bursa saham is a beautiful city located on the plains below Mount Uludağ in the Marmara Region of Turkey. The Bithynian King Prusias founded the city of Bursa in about 185 B.C. The city was first called "Prusias ad Olympum", then "Prusa", and finally became known as "Bursa".
Bursa became the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1326. After a long siege, during which Osman Gazi, the first sultan of the Ottoman Empire became seriously ill, his son and successor Orhan Gazi finally took control of the city. He made Bursa the first capital of the Empire.
Later, in 1365, the Ottoman capital was moved from Bursa to Edirne, but the city continued to be important for the Ottomans. They erected inns, baths, spas, bridges, mausoleums, mosques, and theological schools in city.
During the early sixteenth century, Bursa became a major centre for the international silk trade. The Silk Route was a trading caravan route that connected Asia and the Middle East with Europe. The Ottoman Empire was located on the path of the east-west silk route. Silk was transported from Iran by caravans, which passed through Anatolia to Bursa. The empire received large amount of income from the city of Bursa through the collection of taxes from the silk merchants.
The production of silk began in Bursa in the second half of the sixteenth century. Finest quality velvet, cotton and wool were also produced. You can see examples of these materials at the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul where a collection of the Sultan's garments is on display.
Bursa is still the centre of Turkish silk industry, producing silk both for fabrics and the world-famous Hereke silk carpets. The city is also famous for textile manufacturing and thermal springs. Uludağ National Park is Turkey's most important winter sports centre.

Turkey's Political Structure

Turkey's official name is the Republic of Turkey, Ankara is the capital and the political centre of the Republic. It is a democratic, secular, and social state and follows the ideas of Atatürk, the founder of republic.

The political structure has three main bodies. First of all, there is the Turkish Grand National Assembly(TGNA) which has the legislative power to introduce new laws. Secondly, the president and the council of ministers have the executive power to make important decisions for the country. And finally, the independent courts have the judicial power to make judgements and give punishments.

There are 550 seats in the Turkish parliament. The people can elect anybody above the age of thirty with minimum primary school education as a deputy. Deputies serve for five years. The TGNA elects the President for seven-year term. The Prime Minister Minister and his/her ministers head the central administration of the country.

There are 81 provinces throught Turkey and each province has its own governor. The governors are responsible to the central administration. A Provincial Council and a Provincial Executive Commitee assist the governors.
Any province, district or town of more than 2,000 people is organised as a municipality. Each municipality council to govern the local area.