Research Information System
International Journal of Geography and Geography Education (IGGE), no.41, pp.141-159, 2020 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Abstract
In 2011, after the civil war in Syria, the Syrians have immigrated to Turkey and have settled in camps and various settlements within
the scope of “Temporary Protection”. Syrians using Turkey as a transit country and aiming to exceed the EU have used the land and
sea borders particularly on the western coast of Turkey as irregular migration routes. Ayvacık (Çanakkale) on this route is the closest
settlement to Mytilene Island (4 miles). This situation was effective in Syrians choosing Ayvacık as an irregular migration route. Since
the second half of 2017, irregular migrations have come to a standstill due to the measures taken on the coasts near the Greek border,
the migration of Syrians to Ayvacık has decreased. The migration initiatives of Syrian refugees who see Ayvacık as an irregular migration
route have become difficult. For this reason, Syrians started to see Ayvacık as a place of residence rather than a temporary migration
route. In this article, the demographic characteristics, economic activities, future expectations and relations with local people of
Ayvacık have been investigated. Data were collected and analyzed by face-to-face interviews with 54 local and 61 Syrian people.
Syrians' migration to Ayvacık was influenced by their employment opportunities and acquaintances. While Syrians are satisfied with
Ayvacık, the attitudes of the local people towards Syrians vary according to the neighborhoods.
Keywords: International Migration, Forced Migration, Syrian Migrants, Ayvacık