Kirikkale

City in central Turkey with 210,000 inhabitants (2004 estimate), east of the Kizil river. It is the capital of Kirikkale Province 380,000 inhabitants (2004 estimate).
Kirikkale's economy is almost exlusively based on its steel mills, among the largest in Turkey producing high-quality alloy steel and machinery; and chemical plants. Electricity for these industries come from nearby hydrolectric plants. Kirikkale serves also as a local market for local cereals and livestock products.
Kirikkale lies 50 km east of Ankara, on the Ankara-Kayseri railway.

History
1950's: Steel mills are established near the village of Kirikkale, benefiting from the electrictiy produced at nearby hydroelectric plants, the proximity to Ankara and the raiway connecting Ankara and Kayseri.
1960's: Chemical plants are established in Kirikkale, benefiting from the same advantages as the steel mills.