ABSTRACT

East Trakya (Tracian) region that is called as Turkish Thrace in the present days covers the area between Edirne and İstanbul those had been the two capitals of the Ottoman Empire. East Tracian region is strategically important for the Ottomans in providing the transportation between İstanbul and Rumelian, and for supplying some of consumables for İstanbul. This study tries to analyze population movements and settlement policy on Turkish Thrace in 19th century and in the first period of 20th century. The aims of this study are to understand the viewpoint of the Ottoman Empire about population and settlement policies, and to comprehend the social dynamics of today’s Tracian by searching out demographical features of Turkish Thrace.