Sultanhanı

Sultanhanı
Town
Sultanhanı Location in Turkey
Coordinates: 38°15′N 33°33′E / 38.250°N 33.550°E / 38.250; 33.550Coordinates: 38°15′N 33°33′E / 38.250°N 33.550°E / 38.250; 33.550
Country	Turkey
Province	Aksaray Province
District	Aksaray (Capital of the province)
Government
• Body	Sultanhanı Municipality
Elevation	945 m (3,100 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	10,330
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Area code(s)	0382
Licence plate	68
Website	http://www.sultanhani.bel.tr/

Sultanhanı is a belde (town) in Aksaray Province, Turkey. It is named after the famous han within the town.

Geography

Sultanhanı is at 38°15′N 33°33′E / 38.250°N 33.550°E / 38.250; 33.550. The distance to Aksaray is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) and to the south coast of Lake Tuz is 20 kilometres (12 mi). The population of the town is 10330 as of 2010 making it one of the most populous towns of the province.^[1]

History

Presently, Sultanhanı is not on one of the main highways of Turkey. But it was one of the most important stops in caravan routes during the Middle Ages. The 4,866 square metres (52,380 sq ft) Seljuk han, which was commissioned by Alaattin Keykubat ('Alā' ad-Dīn Kay Qubād) is considered one of the best preserved hans of the Seljuk period.^[2] After the age of discovery, like other caravan routes the Sultanhanı han became neglected.

Another milestone in local history was the Battle of Sultanhanı (also called the Battle of Aksaray) in 1256, where a Mongol army under the command of Baiju defeated the Seljuks.^[3]

Economy

Although the land around Sultanhanı is quite salty, the town economy is flourishing. Main agricultural products are cereal and sugar cane, produced by mechanized agriculture. There is a sugar mill in the town. Another profitable business is ancient rug and carpet restoration. Some people are employed in stock breeding.

References