Konya is the 7^th most populous city in Turkey. According to TURKSTAT data from 2018, the population of the province is 2,205,609, and the total surface area of its 31 districts is 40,838 km2. The province is located at the southwestern end of the Central Anatolian Plateau. Going from east to west, the major cities that are closest to Konya include Niğde, Aksaray, Ankara, Eskişehir, Afyonkarahisar, Isparta, Antalya, Karaman and Mersin. Konya is traditionally known for its agriculture but recent developments have witnessed a shift in its economic structure towards industry. In this respect, Konya is considered the “SME Capital,” hosting roughly 45.000 SMEs in a broad range of sectors, including machinery, automotive sub-industries, metal casting, agricultural equipment, foodstuffs and shoe manufacture. With its long history, Konya has been home to many cultures and civilizations through the centuries. For this reason, Konya is a center for cultural and religious tourism, hosting Çatalhöyük and Mevlana Museum, both of which are on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage Sites.