Kahramankazan (before 2016: Kazan) is a municipality and district of Ankara Province, Turkey. Its area is 547 km2, and its population is 59,123 (2022). It lies in the plain of Akıncı to the north west of the city of Ankara. Its elevation is 892 m.

History

Archaeological research reveals the plain has a long past, going back to prehistoric times, and findings during the excavation of the Bitik Höyük mound date back to the copper age.

Kahramankazan today

Today the area is a popular weekend retreat for the people of Ankara. Kahramankazan is a busy small town. Industry in the city includes a brewery and a cement factory. Opened in November 2011, the Turkish Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Center (UMET), is situated in the Fethiye neighborhood of the city. A large trona ore deposit, which lays 600 m underground, is mined and processed by Kazan Soda Elektrik of Ciner Holding in the city. The town was renamed Kahramankazan (Hero Kazan) in 2016 due to the role of local residents in opposing the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt.

2024 terrorist attack

On October 23, 2024, an explosion happened at the headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, which was located in Kahramankazan. Many were killed and wounded, and some are known as martyrs. The explosion was known as a terrorist attack.

Composition

There are 48 neighbourhoods in Kahramankazan District: