An analysis of physical geography conditions that affect oliveagriculture i̇n Akhisar District of Manisa

Agriculture, one of the earliest productive activities of humanity, has never lost its significance throughout the history. Olive agriculture, which is the subject of this study, is an economical activity that has greatly contributed to communities in terms of financial, social and cultural aspects. When investigated it can be seen that olive agriculture areas are spread between 30° and 45° latitudes. Almost all olive agriculture areas spread in accordance with the existence of Mediterranean climate are located in Mediterranean shore countries. When the countries all over the world are analyzed, it can be seen that European Union countries, especially Spain are in the forefront in terms of having the olive agriculture areas and total amount of olive production. Thanks to the facts that olive and olive oil's positive effects on human health are noticed by the people particularly in recent decades, the importance of olive cultivation has extremely increased. forefront in terms of having the olive agriculture areas and total amount of olive production. Thanks to the facts that olive and olive oil's positive effects on human health are noticed by the people particularly in recent decades, the importance of olive cultivation has extremely increased. Although Turkey, an important country in olive agriculture, accommodates approximately 9 million decars of olive agriculture area and more than 178 millions olive trees, it is not at the desired level of olive and olive oil production. In Turkey, nearly all of the olive is produced in Aegean, Marmara, Mediterranean and Southern east regions of Turkey. In Akhisar, subject area of this study, 175- 200 billion tons of olive is produced from approximately 12 million olive trees in an area of 448,600 decars. Olive agriculture is affected greatly by climate most, followed by geographical formations, soil characteristics and water sources, which are all geographical factors. The changes in olive production in years comprise of physiogeographical factors, periodicity problem that stems from the plant's physiological structure and care conditions of olive trees. This study aims to reveal factors as climate, geographical formation, soil characteristic and hydrographical features and to identify the relationship between olive agriculture and them. Moreover, the changes in land use and olive production areas in Akhisar are shown by the aid of maps.