52 Geographical Regions
 
Geographical Regions 53  
 
   
 
 
  
  
   

Viranşehir, Mezitli - MERSİN
 
Pisidian Antiocheia. The Temple of Apollo, the Bath, St. Paul’s Basilica, the Theater and the Aqueducts are among the important structures in this ancient city. The Gölcük Lake, a crater lake in the southwest of the city, is accessible through rose gardens.
 
 
 
  There are 14 lakes in the vicinity of Burdur, the province of deep blue lakes. Among the most frequented places in the city are the Insuyu Cave with a length of 597 m. and nine lakes inside, the Salda Lake embellished with fine sand beaches and known for its scenic wonders, the ancient cities of Cibyra (Gölhisar) and Sagalassos (Ağlasun), and the Kuruçay and Hacılar tumuli.
  
 
The Great City of Cotton Land: Adana is the largest city in the Mediterranean Region. Most of the cotton, rice, sesame and peanuts in Turkey are produced in this city. The province has a well-developed economy and it is one of the important industrial centers of the country. The most notable structure in the city is the Stone Bridge, constructed by Emperor Hadrian over the Seyhan River. Unmatched examples of Roman mosaic arts can be seen in the ancient cities of Misis and Anavarza. Yumurtalık and Karataş are the holiday resorts known for their beaches in the vicinity of Adana.
 
Where Nature and History Meet: Mersin is one of the most modern cities in the Mediterranean region with its palm tree-lined coastal boulevards, lovable parks, beautiful hotels, commercial buildings and the free trade zone. Tarsus, a large harbor city in the Roman era, has been filled with alluvia deposited by the Seyhan River. Cleopatra, the famed queen of Egypt, and the Roman General Marcus Antonius had met in this town
 
The Grand Mosque in Tarsus, which is also the site where St. Paul was born, St. Paul’s Well, the Cleopatra Gate and Tarsus Falls are among the interesting structures in Tarsus. There are ancient cities such as Pompeipolis (Viranşehir), Kanytelis (Kanlıdivane) and Korykos (Kız Kalesi) on the Mersin-Silifke coastal strip. The scenery of Kız Kalesi, built on a small island 200 meters offshore is very beautiful. To the northwest of Kız Kalesi are the tectonic caves of Cennet (Heaven) and Cehennem (Hell), and the Narlıkuyu Cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
 
The Eastern Mediterranean: Hatay, located in the east Mediterranean Region, is of great touristic value for its historical assets as well as the scenic wonders in its environs. The city, founded in 307 B.C. by Antigonus, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, became a prominent center of trade, science and religion in the Roman and Byzantine times.