46 Geographical Regions
 
Geographical Regions 47  
 
   
 
 
  
  
  The Mediterranean Region  
 
Named after the sea right next to it, the Mediterranean Region is shaped like a strip with a width varying between 120 and 180 km. It begins around  Köyceğiz in the west and
 

Düden Waterfalls - ANTALYA
 
 
  extends to the east as far as Cape Basit, the end point of the province of Hatay. It covers approximately 15% of Turkey with a surface area of 120,000 km². The population of the region is 8.7 million  according to the 2000 census. 5.2 million people live in urban and 3.5 million in rural areas. The region’s population growth rate of 21.43‰ is above the general average of Turkey.  
     
  Çukurova is the most rapidly industrializing part of the region. It is also one of the industrial centers in Turkey. In addition to the various industrial facilities (especially textiles) in Adana, the İskenderun Superphosphate and Iron and Steel plants as well as the Antalya Ferrochrome Plant may be cited as some of the principa industrial facilities in the Mediterranean Region.  
     
  Antalya, “Paradise on Earth”: Antalya is one of the most important tourist cities in turkey and the world with its cultural and historical riches as well as its scenic wonders. Thousands of tourists come to Antalya, by land, sea and air. Every year hundreds of planes landing one after the other bring tourists to the Antalya International Airport. The number of daily flights exceeds the 500 mark during high season. The historical evolution of the region begins in the Paleolithic Era (50,000 B.C.) and extends to the present day. Lara Beach to the east and Konyaaltı Beach to the west of the city, reportedly founded by the King of Pergamum Attalus II in the 2nd century B.C., are ideal places for swimming. Among the interesting places in the vicinity of the city are Manavgat Falls,  Upper and Lower Düden Falls, Kurşunlu Falls, the yachting paradise Kekova, the winter sports center Saklıkent, the Güllük Mountain National Park, and also within this park the ancient city of Termessos and a Stone Age settlement, the Karain Cave.  
     
 

Kemer, one of the most beautiful holiday centers in the Mediterranean, is on the western coast of the city. The Kemer Carnival, held annually every April, is a special event adding a distinct hue to the region.

  
     
 

To the south of Kemer, Phaselis is a historical harbor city. Phaselis has beautiful natural coves and is surrounded by forests. To the south of Phaselis is the ancient city of Olympos. The ruins in the city are in the midst of laurel forest. To the north of Olympos is a sacred area called Çıralı, at an altitude of 300 m. The natural gas leaking out of the  rocks burns  when it combines with the oxygen in the