The
Southeastern Anatolian Region, with its very rich history and
cultural heritage as shown in its magnificent historical sites, is well
worth visiting. Its history begins around 7,000 
B.C. in the New Stone Age.
Between 2,000 B.C. and 1,500 B.C. came the Hurris who Were to be followed
by the Hittites sometime around 1,200 B.C. In the sacred land which encircles
the Firat (Euphrates) and the Dicle (Tigris) rivers, the Grandfather of
Religion, Ibrahim (Abraham) the Prophet lived. Ibrahim was born in Ur,
now called Sanliurfa, and later moved south from the city of Ur to Harran.
In Harran, 
which was an important Mesopotamian historic and cultural center,
the ruins of one of the largest and oldest Islamic universities can be
seen among the archaeological remains. Restoration is now complete on the
18th century mansion, Kucuk Haci Mustafa Hacikamiloglu Konagi. It has just
reopened and now serves as an art gallery. When you travel from the south
to the north over the Mesopotamian plains, the first high mountain to be 
seen is the picturesque Mount Nemrut, with the Mausoleum of the Commagene
King Antiochos at its 2,150 meter peak. The
most important areas of the region are Diyarbakir, whose city walls are
a superb example of medieval military architecture; Mardin, with its unique
architecture; and Gaziantep, a large trade and industrial center which
contains the remains of late Hittite cities. The Atatürk Dam Lake
is planned as the region's holiday and water sports center. There are many
beaches along the shore of the lake which can provide you with an unforgettable
holiday experience under the Mesopotamian sun.
GAP (The Southeastern Anatolian Project)
The
South-eastern Anatolian Project is Turkey's largest and most multifaceted
development project, and
also, one of the largest development projects in the world. The project
includes active farming with extensive irrigation systems and electricity
production; following these are tourism, mining, petrol, education, health,
communication, industry and transport sectors. The South-eastern Anatolia
Project covers the lower parts of the Firat and Dicle rivers; and Gaziantep,
Sanliurfa, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Siirt, Batman and Sirnak, which
are situated on the plains between the rivers. This project will also bring
with it a change in climate to the area. The Atatürk Dam and Hydroelectric
Plant, the largest in Turkey and the sixth largest in the world, is situated
in the Bozova town of Sanliurfa. Atatürk Dam, which is the major foundation
of the South-eastern Anatolia Project, is important not only for energy
production but also for irrigation. The
water obtained from the reservoirs of the Atatürk Dam on the Firat
river is going to be carried to the Harran plain by the Sanliurfa Tunnel
System. The Sanliurfa Tunnel System is the largest in the wodd, in terms
of its length and flow rate. The waters of the Firat river will pass through
tunnels which are 26.4 kilometers in length and 7.62 meters in diameter,
and be distributed to the vast cropland on the South-eastern Anatolian
plains from central and side channels, bringing a production boom and prosperity
to the region. To travel along Turkey's Southern border, take the highway
which connects Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Mardin to Syria and Iraq, Gaziantep,
located on a wide and fertile plain cultivated with extensive olive groves
and vineyards, produces a variety of agricultural crops.
GAZIANTEP
Gaziantep especially
known throughout Turkey for its excellent pistachios. Industry also contributes
to the local economy. The 36 towers of the city's fortress were originally
constructed in the Justinian era and were later rebuilt by the Seljuks.
The Archaeology Museum has important items from Neolithic, Hittite and
Roman times. The Hasan Sözer House, from the turn of the century,
has been beautifully restored and houses the Ethnographical Museum. The
artisans of Gaziantep specialize in copperware and furniture inlaid with
mother-of-pearl. The kitchens produce some of the best lahmacun, a delicious
pizza topped with spicy meat and herbs, and baklava, a honey and nut pastry.
