Southern Marmara ports and commercial activities in the rear area in the 18th century

Kapıdağı Peninsula, Erdek and Bandırma coasts and Marmara, Paşalimanı, Ekinlik and İmralı islands located on the Southern Marmara coastline are coastal cities that can be connected via the shortest route. Their geographical location and the fact that each of them has a port contributed to the development of these places. The most important feature of these coastal cities is that they are located on a route that can reach the entire Ottoman seas via the Bosphorus and are also close to Istanbul, making them centers of attraction. The importance of Southern Marmara coastal cities has increased in line with the demands and expectations of Istanbul. Because the provision of food for the palace and the capital Istanbul has always been a priority for the Ottoman Empire. The close proximity of these port cities in the south of Marmara to Istanbul and their ease of transportation have enabled them to become lively trade centers. It has a major role in the transportation of grain coming from Bandırma, Balıkesir and Bursa surroundings to Istanbul. Apart from the food products for subsistence, fuel materials and various products to be used in construction activities were regularly transported to Istanbul from the Southern Marmara ports.