Population geography of Bayramiç

Ill ABSTRACT Bayramiç is a district of Çanakkale in Marmara Region. It is located in Biga Peninsula and surrounded by Edremit (Balıkesir) and Ayvacık from the south, Ezine from the west, Çanakkale and Çan from the north and Yenice from the east. Bayramiç is in 75 km southeast of Çanakkale and it is 70 m above the sea level. The district has a history which is going back to the 2000 B.C. There are 76 village settlements in the district. The total area is 1275 km2 and the total population is 32314 according to the 2000-Census. The data from this latest census show that 37 % of the population live in Bayramiç Center while 63 % of the population is living in the villages. When the 1940 and 2000-Censuses are compared, it is seen that the total population has increased 2735. However, it is noticable that there is a significant shift in population from the rural area to urban area. Whilst 10 % of the population were living in Bayramiç Center in 1940, this number has increased dramatically according to the results of 2000-Census. The population density, which was 23 in 1940, has changed to 25 in 2000. Whilst the population density has not changed much during this 60 years period, there has been a significant change in the rural and urban populations in the favor of urban population. It is seen that the change in population has not been regular when the data from the censuses are compared. Whilst the rate of increase in population of Bayramiç was higher than Çanakkale and Turkey in 1935, this number has been lower in 2000.IV It is noticable that the topography of the district affects the locations of the settlements and the population is concentrated in specific parts of the district. Bayramiç is a typical example of the migration from rural area to urban area in Turkey which has accelarated after 1950. This migration still continues and especially seen in the villages whose people depend on dry-agriculture and animal husbandry. Furthermore, population flow from the rural area of Bayramiç to Çanakkale Center and other neighboring cities should also been taken into consideration. Whilst the most important reason for this migration is the demand for better economical welfare, demand for a better education may be another reason