General Information
Area: 6.222 km²
Population: 2,005,515 (2018)
City Traffic Number: 27
Gaziantep, located at the intersection of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Region, one of the first settlement centers of Anatolia, has maintained its importance in every period of history. Gaziantep, which is adjacent to Syria, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, has been a center of attraction where different civilizations, cultures and beliefs blended throughout history.
Gaziantep, one of the first settlement areas in Anatolia, lived through the Chalcolithic, Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Mitani, Assyrian, Persian, Alexander the Great, Seleucid, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Turkish-Islamic and Ottoman periods, and has carried the works of these periods to the present day. . Its location between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, where the first civilizations were born, its location at the crossroads of the roads leading from the south and the Mediterranean to the east, north and west, and the passage of the Historical Silk Road here, have shaped the history of civilization and today, and it has also maintained its feature of being a center of culture and trade in every period.
Gaziantep and its surroundings are located between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, where the first civilizations were born. For this reason, Gaziantep has been a settlement and frequent destination for human communities since prehistoric times. The old city is 12 km from today's Gaziantep. It is located in the current Dülük Village in the northwest. The fact that ruins from the stone, chalcolithic and copper periods were found in archaeological research shows that the region is one of the first settlement areas in Anatolia. Gaziantep, which remained under the rule of the Babylonian Empire for a while, BC. It became a city of the Hittite State in 1700. The city of "DÜLÜK" is of particular importance as it is an important religious center of the Hittites.
The ruins of many ancient settlements from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, such as Belkıs/Zeugma, have survived to the present day. During the Seljuk, Mamluk and Ottoman periods, many mosques, madrasahs, inns and baths were built, and the city also progressed in terms of production, trade and handicrafts. Even today, these inns and baths maintain their functionality and continue their activities as places where trade and especially rich handicrafts are kept alive. The temples of this period preserve their existence in all their splendor and meet the worship needs of the people.
Gaziantep and its region, occupied by the British and French after World War I, aroused admiration all over the world with its mind-blowing defense and unique heroism. TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. Due to this success, Antep was given the title of "GAZİ" on February 8, 1921. It is still possible to see traces of this period.
Gaziantep, which is the gateway to GAP geographically and the center of GAP with its industry and commercial volume, influences many surrounding provinces economically. Gaziantep, ¼ of which consists of arable plains and a part of which is irrigated by the waters of the Euphrates River; It is a rich agricultural region with industrial plants of high economic value such as pistachios, olives, cotton, grapes, red pepper and flax, and grain products such as lentils, wheat and barley. Moreover; Gaziantep is an industrial and commercial center where all products of the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia region are processed and offered to the domestic and foreign markets. It is at a very important point in economy and industry with its four organized industrial zones, many industrial areas, small industrial sites and free zones.The city has a wide transportation network with its international airport, railways and highways. It has become an industrial city, assuming an important center position in Turkey's trade with the Middle East, with its unique industrialization model, the potential it creates and increasing investments, and a leading province in tourism with its increasing cultural and tourism infrastructure investments in recent years.
Gaziantep has memories of the War of Independence, its rich historical and cultural environment, the highway that was put into service, the international airport that the region needs, its location as the gate of the GAP, the train station that still retains its importance, delicious food, rich handicrafts, mosaics, mosques, castles, ancient cities. It is one of the important centers where tourism has made a name for itself in recent years, with its ruins, inns, baths, castles, tombs, churches, plateaus, plains, excursion and recreation areas, the baklava and pistachios named after it, industrial facilities, commercial vitality and other aspects.
Districts:
Gaziantep is a metropolitan city with Metropolitan Status and has a total of 9 districts, three of which are in the center.
Şahinbey (Center), Şehit Kamil (Center), Oğuzeli (Center), Nizip, İslahiye, Araban, Yavuzeli, Nurdağı, Karkamış.
Geography
Gaziantep, located at the junction of the Mediterranean Region and the Southeastern Anatolia Region, is our border province adjacent to Syria. In the province where Sof Mountains, which are extensions of the Southeastern Taurus Mountains, are located, there are also Dülükbaba, Sam, Ganibaba and Sarıkaya Mountains. İslahiye, Barak, Araban, Yavuzeli and Oğuzeli constitute the important plains of the province, and the Euphrates River, Nizip Stream, Afrin Stream, Merziman Stream and Alleben Stream constitute the important rivers of the province.More than half of the province's lands are suitable for agriculture and are covered with olive, pistachio, fruit and vegetable gardens, vineyards, cotton and wheat fields. In the mountainous parts of the province, there are partly pine, fir and cedar forests, and steppe and semi-steppe vegetation.
Gaziantep is a province rich in wildlife. In the forests within the province, there are plenty of partridges, francolins, wild ducks, wild goose, freckles, owls, pigeons, sparrows, hornbills, wild boars, rabbits, waterfowl, hedgehogs and quails.
Gaziantep is located at the transition point of the Mediterranean and continental climate. Although the southern parts of the province are under the influence of the Mediterranean climate, summers are generally hot and dry and winters are cold and rainy. The most rainfall in the province occurs in winter and spring.
History
The place element is of great importance in the formation and quality of Gaziantep's history. The region's location between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, where the first civilizations were born, and its location at the crossroads of roads leading from the south and the Mediterranean to the east, north and west, has shaped the history of civilization and the present. For this reason, Gaziantep has been a settlement and frequent destination for human communities since prehistoric times. The fact that the historical Silk Road also passed through here has enabled the province to constantly maintain its importance and vitality.
The historical periods of Gaziantep can be listed as Chalcolithic, Paleolithic, Neolithic periods, Bronze Age, Hittite, Med, Assyrian, Persian, Alexander, Seleucids, Roman and Byzantine, Islamic-Arabian and Islamic-Turkish periods. It is possible to clearly see the traces of these periods today.
The old city, known as Ayıntap, is 12 km from today's Gaziantep. It is between Dülük Village and Karahöyük Village in the northwest. The fact that ruins from the stone, chalcolithic and copper periods were found in archaeological research shows that the region is one of the first settlement areas of Anatolia.
Gaziantep, which remained under the rule of the Babylonian Empire for a while, BC. It became a city of the Hittite State in 1700. The city of "Dülük" is of particular importance as it is an important religious center of the Hittites.
Gaziantep and its surroundings BC. It came under the rule of the Assyrian, Med and Persian Empires between 700-546. After Alexander the Great destroyed the Persian Empire, the Romans, A.D. It remained under the rule of the Byzantines until 636.
Since Gaziantep is located on the main roads from Kahramanmaraş to Aleppo, from Birecik to the Mediterranean coast and from Diyarbakır to İskenderun, it has preserved its feature of being the cultural and commercial center of every period.
Islam spread from here to Anatolia and Hz. Prophet Mohammed, who saw and kissed the seal of Prophethood and was one of his revelation scribes. The fact that Ökkeşiye's tomb is located on a hill near Durmuşlar village of Nurdağı district is of particular importance for Gaziantep.
Hz. During the struggle for the spread of Islam outside the Arabian peninsula during the reign of Omar, the Islamic army captured the Gaziantep region and Hatay from the Byzantines. Thus, in 639, the local people accepted Islam. Immediately afterwards, Syria and Antakya region, without any bloodshed or war, were taken over by the Islamic forces and subjected to taxes. Gaziantep's famous Ömeriye Mosque was built as a symbol of conquest at that time.
After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, a Turkish State affiliated with the Seljuk Empire was established in the region. The city, which was destroyed by the invasion of the Mongols in 1270, was later taken over by the Dulkadiroğulları (1389) and the Mamluks (1471). After the Battle of Mercidabık (near Kilis) against the Mamluks by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1516, Gaziantep and its region came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
During the Ottoman period, many mosques, madrasahs, inns and baths were built, and the city also progressed in terms of production, trade and handicrafts. Evliya Çelebi, who visited the region twice in 1641 and 1671, says that there are 22 neighborhoods, 8 thousand houses, about 100 mosques, madrasas, inns, baths and covered bazaars.
At the end of World War I, Gaziantep was occupied first by the British and then by the French. Gaziantep Defense, bravery in our National War of Independence history. It has become an unattainable monument of heroism and sacrifice. The Defense of Gaziantep has taken its place in history as a people's movement that saved both itself and Southeastern Anatolia from enemy occupation with its unique heroism, and as a rise of national unity and self.
Source of the Name Gaziantep
Gaziantep, formerly called Ayıntap, takes its name from the depths of history. He received his title from his heroic defense in the War of Independence.
In the past, it was written as Ayıntap and Aynitap, and was sung as Antep and Entap by the broad public. In the words of the famous scholar historian Bedrüddin Ayni, who was raised in Gaziantep, the old name and real name of Gaziantep is "Kala-ı Füsus". "Kala-ı Füsus" means ring castle. According to another rumor, a villain named Ayni oppressed the people of this place. He had a judge. After doing many inappropriate things, he regretted what he had done and was called "Ayni repented" by the local people. Later, Ayni repented and remained as Ayıntap.
According to another rumor, Ayıntap took its name from the beauty and abundance of its water. Ayın: means spring, source and eye of water. Tap means bright and beautiful. Therefore, aytap means beautiful spring and beautiful source. Again, Tap: It also means power and strength. It is said that this name was given to the city due to the abundance of its water.
In another rumor, it is said that the old name of the city was Hantap. Tap: It is also used in the sense of power, strength and land (The words tap and tapkır are still used in the villages of Gaziantep). Accordingly, Hantap; It also means khan land. Hantap became Antap and Antep over time.
Due to the outstanding heroism of the people in the War of Independence, the city was given the title of Grand National Assembly of Turkey on February 8, 1921. He was given the title of "GAZİ" by the Parliament. l of Layiha-i Kanuniye. Article: "The name of the town of Ayıntap, which is the center of Ayıntap liva, has been changed to Gaziayıntap." Thus, Antep became Gaziantep.
How to go?
Gaziantep's geographical location plays an important role in the formation and nature of its history.
It is of great importance. The region's first civilizations were born in Mesopotamia and
It is located between the Mediterranean, from the south and the Mediterranean to the east and north.
and being at the crossroads of the roads leading to the west, has a significant impact on the history of civilization and today.
gave direction. The fact that the historical Silk Road also passes through the region adds to the importance of the province.
and ensured that it constantly maintained its vitality.
Gaziantep is an important city with its land, air and railway transportation facilities.
is the crossing point. In land transportation, from the south and the Mediterranean to the east and
It is located at the junction of the roads heading north and at the entrance of GAP.
Urban transportation; It is provided by bus, minibus, taxi and light rail system.
From Tarsus-Adana-Gaziantep-Şanlıurfa Highway to various roads of the city
The construction of which was completed in the city with the ring road to which connections are provided.
Bridge junctions facilitate urban transportation. Gaziantep railway,
Narlı Station of Adana-Malatya railway to Aleppo-Baghdad railway
ties. In addition, the Aleppo Express passing through Fevzipaşa also goes to Gaziantep's Islahiye.
The district enters Syrian territory through the border gate. Gaziantep railway network,
It also has international connections. The railway, which has connections with Iraq and Syria,
It provides important opportunities in terms of transportation.
Gaziantep Airport, which was put into service in 1976, became an international airport in 1993.
opened to freight transportation. 19.6 km from the city center. away.
Gaziantep Airport, new runway and terminal building completed
Turkey's and especially our region's air traffic to the Middle East has become the center