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Edirne is situated in Thrace in Turkey's Marmara Region. It covers 6,276 square kilometres between 40º 30'-42º 20' north latitude and 26º-27º east longitude. This is 8% of Turkey's territory. The topography consists fo plains and rolling hills with an average elevation of 41 meters above sea level. Winter weather is sometimes influenced by the sea, resulting in a mild climate with rain. Other times the land exercises the dominant influence bringing colder weather and show.
Summers are hot and dry, and spring and fall are rainy. The average annual temperature is 13.5º with an annual precipitation of 600mm. The city was founded 5th century BC by Odrysians from Thrace. The city had various names until the time of Murat I, who conquered the city in 1361, renamed it Edirne, and made in the second capital of the Ottoman Empire. It remained the capital until Istanbul was captured by Mehmet II in 1453.
Edirne has a rich historical heritage due to its location between Europe and Asian Anatolia. Architectural treasures include the walls and towers from the Edirne Castle built by Roman Emperor Hadrianus, and the famous Selimiye Mosque from the Ottoman period.
The publication of Edirne, according to the 2000 census, is 119,316 in the city and 402,617 in the province. It has been a center of education and culture both during the Ottoman period and since the founding of the Republic. The University of Thrace, in the city of Edirne, is growing rapidly.
Edirne has a total of five border crossing into Greece and Bulgaria, two by train and three by road.
The D-100 highway and TEM motorway both run through Edirne connecting it to Europe and to turkey's largest metropolis, Istanbul, a two hour drive away, It also has great tourism potential as a launching point to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.