Mediterranean Region

From Turkey Travel Guide

Mediterranean Region

[edit] Location

Mediterranean Region is located in the south part of Turkey, surrounded by Central Anatolia on the north, Aegean Region on the west, both Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia Region on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea on the south.

To the east, the region borders Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, with Cyprus laying in the water across the shore.

[edit] Provinces

• Adana
• Antalya
• Burdur
• Hatay
• Isparta
• Kahramanmaraş
• Mersin
• Osmaniye

[edit] Geography

The area of Aegean Region is about 110,000 km2.

[edit] History

The Mediterranean Region dates its first inhabitants back to the dawn of civilization. The word Mediterranean comes from the Latin word mediterraneus, meaning "middle of the earth" or "between lands" (medius, "middle, between" + terra, "land, earth"). This was most likely due to the fact that the sea is bordered by the 3 continents known at the time (Europe, Asia, and Africa). However, the sea was also called several other words from the different regions. The Greeks named it Mesogeios (meaning middle earth as well). The Romans named it Mare Nostrum, Latin for "Our Sea". The bible terms it as the "Great Sea", "Hinder Sea", or the "Western Sea", as it was west of the Holy Land. In Turkish, it is named Akdeniz, meaning "the white sea".

The religious significance of the region dates back to Paul of Tarsus, who became one of the main authors of the Christian New Testament. It is recorded that he preached the gospel from one end of the region to the other, marking historical sites such as Antalya and Antakya. Under the Byzantine Empire, the region became a major center of

Antalya, was a major city of the region for the Byzantine Empire, was the capital of the Byzantine Theme of Carabisiani, which occupied the southern coasts of Asia Minor and the Aegean Islands. The city was later conquered by the Seljuk Turks in the early 13th century, becoming the capital of the Turkish Beylik of Teke. During Ottoman times, the region was diverse, constisting of Jews, Christians, and Muslims throughout all its towns and cities.

During the Turkish War of Independence, several parts of the region were occupied by Italian forces, but were defeated 1923, following with the establishment of the new republic.

[edit] Climate

The Mediterranean Region is typically known as having a Mediterranean Climate, generally meaning that summers are hot, dry, and sunny, while winters are mild and sometimes rainy. Turkey's region is protected from the cold northerly winds by the Taurus Mountain range, with about 300 days of sun. The sea temperatures are relatively warm, with a high temperature of 80F. Although the heat can be intense, the lack of humidity and the constant breeze make the climate comfortable.

[edit] Places to See & Do

The Mediterranean Region comprises of several ancient and modern sights that are known to be some of the most important and beautiful areas in all of the Mediterranean Sea. They include:

Antalya: This beautiful seaside city is a mix of modern and ancient. Enjoy the latest beach resorts, where you can take safari tours over the Taurus Mountains, or through the forests and the little Nomads villages. The valleys are incredibly picturesque. There is also rafting on the Koprulu River, which passes through the incredible landscape of Koprulu Canyon National Park. Antalya is also the home of several ancient Greek cities, including Termessos, which boasts a theater, agora, and a wonderful necropolis. There is also Perge, Sillyon, and Olympos, which all date back to as late as the 400 BC, and are open to the public for tourism.

Alanya: A city ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, it showcases some of the most beautiful and historical sights in all of the Mediterranean. The The Red Tower (Kızıl Kule) is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Considered to be the city's symbol, it dates back to 1226, during the reign of the Seljuk Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay Qubadh I. The name comes from th red color brick which was used for its construction and is one of the best-kept Seljuk buildings in Turkey. The tower is open from 8am-12pm and 1:30pm-5:30pm, and is closed on Mondays. Admission is 3 TL.

Mardin: An area of incredible historical, cultural and architectural importance, it is a great example of Syrian-Arab-Armenian-Turkish culture intertwined. It is the home of one of the oldest Christian communities, the Syriac-Orthodox, with churches and monastaries fully functioning today. It is a candidate for UNESCO's List of "Cities of World Heritage, as most of the temples were built on Assyrian and Babylonian landmarks dating back to 2,000 BC. There is also the 12th century Sitti Radviyye Madrasa, which is the oldest madrasa in Anatolia.