Hatay, Turkey

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Hatay, Turkey

Region: Hatay

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Geographic Coordinates: 36.202500, 36.160600

Climate: Climate: Mediterranean Weather patterns: hot and dry summers, mild and rainy winters.

Population: 377793

Language: Turkish

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Hatay is a province located on the eastern Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. Throughout history, It has been inhabited by various civilizations, Which have left behind a rich cultural and historical heritage. Originally known as Antakya, It was one of the most important cities during the Roman Empire. One of Hatay’s main attractions is its cuisine, Which is a unique blend of Turkish, Arabic and Mediterranean flavors. Popular dishes include hummus, Kebabs, Dolma (stuffed grape leaves), Baklava and Hatay tulumu cheese made from goat milk.

Visitors to Hatay must-see ancient city Antioch (Antakya), Founded by Alexander the Great in 323 BC. It became an important center for Christianity during Roman times with numerous ancient sites such as St Peter’s Grotto where Saint Peter preached to early Christians. The Harbiye Waterfall is another popular destination for tourists visiting Hatay Province located just outside Antakya. This waterfall cascades down from a height of 18 meters into a natural pool below making it ideal for swimming or picnicking with family or friends.

The old town area of Antakya offers visitors traditional Turkish life with narrow streets lined with shops selling spices, Textiles and pottery along with other local handicrafts. One can get lost wandering through these winding streets while taking in all that this charming town has to offer.

For those interested in nature walks or hiking trails then Mount Staurin may be worth exploring while visiting Hatay Province near Samandag district provides stunning views over both land & sea along with numerous hiking trails that range from easy to challenging depending on your skill level. , Hatay Province offers something unique for everyone from its rich cultural heritage to its delicious cuisine and natural beauty making it the perfect destination for those who want to experience Turkey beyond typical tourist hotspots.

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1. Antakya Archaeological Museum
2. Saint Pierre Church
3. Harbiye Waterfalls
4. Habibi Neccar Mosque
5. Vespasianus Titus Tunnel
6. Hatay Archaeological Museum
7. Ulu Mosque
8. Hatay Cuisine
9. Hidirlik Hill & Castle
10. Samandağ Beach

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• 1. Agriculture
  • Citrus fruits
  • Olives
  • Cotton
• 2. Tourism
  • Historical sites
  • Natural beauty
• 3. Manufacturing
  • Textiles
  • Food processing
  • Construction materials
• 4. Trade
  • Import-export of goods through the port of İskenderun
• 5. Services
  • Healthcare
  • Education

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Noteable History

1. The ancient city of Antioch, also known as Antakya, held great significance during the Roman Empire and played a crucial role in early Christianity.
2. Hatay was referred to as Alexandretta during its time under the Ottoman Empire which lasted for centuries.
3. In 1938, with French support, Hatay gained independence only to join Turkey the following year in 1939 after a vote.
4. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is recognized as the founder of modern Turkey, visited Hatay multiple times and contributed significantly to its integration into Turkey.
5. Over time, several ethnic groups including Armenians, Arabs, Greeks and Turks have called this region their home.
6. During World War II years ago, Hatay served an essential role for Allied troops traveling between Egypt and Europe through Syria.
7. Antakya is well-known for its rich culinary traditions that feature popular dishes such as hummus and baklava among others.
8. Among notable individuals from Hatay are former Turkish Prime Minister Adnan Menderes along with Syrian-American poet Mohja Kahf.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Antakya Archaeological Museum
2. St. Pierre Church
3. Hatay Archaeological Museum
4. Ulu Mosque
5. Harbiye Waterfalls and Daphne Ancient City
6. Habibi Neccar Mosque
7. Titus Tunnel
8. Samandağ Museum of Natural History and Archeology
9. The Great Mosque of Antakya
10. Vespasianus Titus Tunnel

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Sports Teams

1. Hatayspor: A football club headquartered in Antakya, the capital city of Hatay. The club was established in 1967 and plays its home games at the Antakya Atatürk Stadium.
2. Arsuz Belediyespor: Another football club located in the Arsuz district of Hatay province. The club was founded in 1994 and plays its home matches at the Arsuz İlçe Stadium.
3. Samandağ Belediyespor: A football team based out of Samandağ district of Hatay province since 1956, playing their home games at the Samandağ İlçe Stadium.
4. Altınözü Belediyespor: A football team based out of Altınözü district of Hatay province since 1988, playing their home games at the Altınözü İlçe Stadium.

These sports teams have had varying degrees of success over time but continue to represent their communities with pride on a local level.

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Cultural Events

1. Antakya International Film Festival is an annual event held in November that showcases a variety of international films.
2. The Hatay Gastronomy Festival is celebrated in April and highlights the diverse culinary traditions of Hatay through cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and cultural performances.
3. The Antakya Culture and Art Festival takes place in August and features traditional music, dance performances, handicraft exhibitions, and other cultural activities.
4. The Kırıkhan Cherry Festival is dedicated to the cherry harvest season and takes place in June with cherry-themed food stalls, live music performances, and various competitions.
5. Every year on June 29th thousands of people from all over Turkey gather at Saint Pierre Church for religious ceremonies and cultural festivities to celebrate the life of Saint Peter during the Saint Pierre Church Pilgrimage.
6. In May each year, Dörtyol city center holds the Dörtyol International Orange Blossom Carnival to celebrate blooming orange trees with parades featuring decorated floats covered in orange blossoms.
7. The Hatay International Jazz Festival is a four-day event held annually usually at the end of September featuring international jazz musicians performing at various venues throughout Hatay province including Antakya’s historic streets as well as open-air concerts by seaside locations like Samandağ beach or Harbiye waterfall park area near Arsuz coast line.

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Cuisine

• Antakya Künefe: A sweet and sticky dessert made with shredded wheat, cheese, and syrup.
• Ali Nazik Kebap: A dish made with grilled eggplant, yogurt, and minced meat.
• Ciğerli Humus: Hummus topped with grilled liver.
• Beyran Soup: A spicy soup made with lamb or beef.
• Şıllık (Çiğ Börek): Fried pastry stuffed with ground meat and spices.
• Güney Sofrası Restaurant: Known for its traditional Hatay dishes such as hummus, kebabs, and stuffed vegetables.
• Defne Pide Salonu: Famous for its pide (Turkish pizza) filled with various toppings such as cheese, meat or vegetables.
• Mihman Restaurant: Offers a wide range of meze (appetizers) including muhammara (spicy red pepper dip), sarma (stuffed grape leaves), and babaganoush (smoky eggplant dip).
• İskenderun Dönerci Sadık Usta: Known for its delicious döner kebab served in a wrap or on a plate with rice pilaf or fries.
• Karadeniz Pidecisi : Serves traditional Black Sea region dishes such as hamsi tava (fried anchovies) and mısır ekmeği(pita bread filled corn).

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Parks and Recreation

1. Harbiye Waterfall: a stunning waterfall located just 7 km from the city center.
2. Belen Tarihi Kenti: an ancient city with ruins of a Roman bridge, aqueduct, and tombs.
3. Vakifli Village: a small village on the Mediterranean coast with olive groves and a beach.
4. Titus Tunnel: an ancient tunnel built during the Roman period for water supply to Antioch.
5. Kursunlu Mosque Complex: a mosque complex built during the Ottoman period with a garden and fountain.
6. Hatay Archaeology Museum: showcasing artifacts from various periods of history including Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
7. Goksu Park: a public park located in Antakya with playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.
8. Samandağ Beaches: beautiful beaches along the Mediterranean coast offering swimming, sunbathing, and water sports activities.
9. St Pierre Church: an ancient church believed to be built over the tomb of St Peter in Antioch during early Christianity period.
10. Habibi Neccar Mosque Complex: a mosque complex built during Ottoman period with beautiful architecture such as its garden, fountain, and more.

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Enjoy The Journey.

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