Gördes has been held by the Persians, Macedonians, Roman and Byzantine empires, and in 1071AD passed to the Turks.

The main source of income is tobacco and poppy production and wheat, barley is grown.

In addition, olive, quince and persimmon cultivation are also carried out in Gördes.

[5] The area has mining with Coal and Zeolite being the main deposits but kaolin, nickel-iron, titanium beds are also available.

In addition, feldspar, marble, kyanite, chalcedony, Chromium, quartz and boron are among the minerals mined in the region.