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Antalya

geography Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Antalya is a major metropolitan city in Turkey.

Bay at Antalya, Turkey
Bay at Antalya, Turkey

It serves as the capital of Antalya Province. This province is the fifth-most populous in the country. The city is a vital part of the Turkish Riviera. It is recognized as the "capital of tourism" in Turkey. The urban population of the city is about 1.5 million people. The entire province holds over 2.7 million residents.

Antália Beach - panoramio (12)
Antália Beach - panoramio (12)

The geography of Antalya is shaped by its coastal position. It sits on the southwest coast of Anatolia. The Taurus Mountains flank the city on all sides. These mountains create a unique local climate. They trap moisture coming from the sea. This results in high rainfall during the winter months. The interior bay setting causes very hot summers. The city is a Mediterranean climate zone. It experiences hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The area is very sunny with nearly 3,000 hours of sunlight annually.

Upper Duden Falls
Upper Duden Falls

Antalya has a deep and complex history. King Attalus II of Pergamon founded the city around 200 BC.

II. Attalos Heykeli
II. Attalos Heykeli

He named the city Attaleia in his honor. The city originally served as a naval base for his fleet. In 133 BC, the city became part of the Roman Empire. This happened after Attalus III bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. During Roman rule, the city flourished as part of Pamphylia Secunda. Many famous monuments were built during this era. One notable example is Hadrian's Gate, built for Emperor Hadrian.

Hadrian's Gate (cropped)
Hadrian's Gate (cropped)

Religious history also played a major role in the region. Christianity began to spread here in the 1st century. The Apostles Paul of Tarsus and Barnabas visited the area. Over time, the city saw many different rulers. The Byzantine Empire held the city as a major naval station. Later, the Seljuk Empire took control in 1207. The Ottoman Empire expanded into the region in 1391. Ottoman rule provided five hundred years of relative stability. After World War I, Italy occupied the city for three years. Eventually, it was returned to Turkey during the War of Independence.

The city's economy has transformed significantly over time. In 1920, the population was only about 30,000 people. The economy then relied on its port for trade. They exported wheat, flour, sesame seeds, and timber. Large-scale development began in the 1970s. This changed Antalya from a pastoral town into a huge metropolitan area. Tourism became the primary driver of this growth. Today, Antalya is the fourth-most visited city in the world. In 2023, it attracted more than 16.5 million foreign visitors.

Antalya, Turkey Feb 2022 - Colorful Shopping Mall
Antalya, Turkey Feb 2022 - Colorful Shopping Mall

Visitors can explore many historical treasures today. The Antalya Museum houses many important artifacts. You can see statues of Artemis and the Three Graces there.

Antalya Museum 06022022 005
Antalya Museum 06022022 005
Jokertrekker - 52521133697
Jokertrekker - 52521133697

The museum also contains a statue of Emperor Hadrian.

Perge - Hadrian 1
Perge - Hadrian 1

Nearby, the Roman Theatre of Aspendos stands as a grand example of ancient architecture.

Aspendos Amphitheatre
Aspendos Amphitheatre

The city also features the historic Kaleiçi district. This area contains many traditional Ottoman houses.

Kaleiçi görünümü (5)
Kaleiçi görünümü (5)

Modern Antalya is a highly connected urban center. It hosts major international events like the G-20 summit. The city has a functional transportation network. This includes a light rail system called the Antray.

Antalya. %27Burhanettin Onat%27 Station of AnTray
Antalya. %27Burhanettin Onat%27 Station of AnTray

You can also see a nostalgic tram running through the streets.

Antalya Strassenbahn
Antalya Strassenbahn

The city's infrastructure supports its massive tourism industry. From shopping malls to large stadiums, it is a modern hub.

Yeni Antalya Stadyumu - 23.6.15
Yeni Antalya Stadyumu - 23.6.15

It remains a key destination on the Mediterranean coast.

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🖼️ Images & Media (20)
File:Hadrian's Gate (cropped).jpg
Hadrian's Gate (cropped).jpg
File:Antalya Museum 06022022 005.jpg
Antalya Museum 06022022 005.jpg
File:Jokertrekker - 52521133697.jpg
Jokertrekker - 52521133697.jpg
File:Perge - Hadrian 1.jpg
Perge - Hadrian 1.jpg
File:II. Attalos Heykeli.JPG
II. Attalos Heykeli.JPG
File:Kaleiçi_görünümü_(5).JPG
Kaleiçi_görünümü_(5).JPG
File:Upper_Duden_Falls.jpg
Upper_Duden_Falls.jpg
File:Antalya, Turkey Feb 2022 - Colorful Shopping Mall.jpg
Antalya, Turkey Feb 2022 - Colorful...
File:Antália - panoramio (10).jpg
Antália - panoramio (10).jpg
File:Bay at Antalya, Turkey.jpg
Bay at Antalya, Turkey.jpg
File:Antália Beach - panoramio (13).jpg
Antália Beach - panoramio (13).jpg
File:Muhittin Böcek - Hobifest - 20.5.17.jpg
Muhittin Böcek - Hobifest - 20.5.17.jpg

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