land allow the varieties of fruits, vegetables and grains to be produced in Geyve. Sakarya River is the main vessel of town's agriculture. Especially, the quince, cherry, apple, peach and grape of Geyve are quite well known in local and Istanbul markets. Since the end of the 1990s, Geyve has been a popular trekking destination, presenting different routes especially with its proximity to Istanbul. Alifuatpasa Train Station was serving Geyve for over 100 years until February 2012 when Ankara-Istanbul railway was closed for Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway construction. Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway, which is expected to be finished by 2014, will run through Geyve. Even though it is not certain, the high-speed train is expected to stop at the neighboring towns, Pamukova and Arifiye. History There is not enough scientific evidence available regarding the first settlers of Geyve. The ruins around the region do not survive, but it is almost certain that Geyve is an historical settlement dating back thousands of years. There are different claims that its origin goes to 4000 BC, and even some sources to 10000 BC. Geyve region has been inhabited by Phrygians, Hitites, Lydians, Romans, Armenians, Byzantines, Turks and many other civilizations since prehistoric times. Many historical evidence from Byzantine and Roman Empire era have been discovered in Geyve. Geyve was known to be one of the early Ottoman conquests. It was conquered by Osman Gazi (reigned c. 1299–1323/4), first Ottoman Sultan, in the 14th century from Byzantine Empire. The demography of the town has been significantly impacted by the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. According to the Ottoman General Census of 1881/82-1893, the kaza of Geyve had a total population of 32.607, consisting of 22.133 Muslims, 5.873 Armenians, 4.520 Greeks, 79 Protestants, 1 Jew and 1 foreign citizen. Several old photographs and evidence have been collected by a local researcher-collector in the following link. The origin of Geyve's name is controversial. Evliya Çelebi, famous Turkish-Ottoman traveller, in his Seyahatname states that Geyve's name comes from the Byzantine princess named Gekve. Geyve has also been important as it was on the historical Silk Road or Silk Route. Geyve–Tarakli road can still be accessed, even though the road lost its importance. Geyve was one of the symbolic towns in the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923). Geyve Gorge had a strategic importance during the War of Independence. Alifuatpaşa, Geyve is one of the first resistance fronts