Information about the city of Antalya

 Antalya city

Antalya is a charming city and a destination for many visitors. It is the eighth-most populous city in Turkey, with an estimated population of 2,426,356 people in 2018 and a foreign population of 6,343 people. Antalya is located on the coast of the White Sea The Mediterranean is in southern Turkey in Antalya Province at 36.91 latitudes and 30.70 longitudes, with a height of 61 meters above sea level. Antalya is the largest international sea resort in Turkey and is bordered by the natural Taurus Mountains. In this article, information about the city of Antalya will be presented.

History and culture of Antalya

Antalya was founded as a seaport in the second century BC by King Pergamum, and during the Middle Ages, the city was a Byzantine stronghold and an important starting point for forces heading to Palestine during the Crusades until it was captured by the Turkish Seljuk ruler "Kay Khusraw" in 1207. What became the most important city and port in the region, and although the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I conquered it for the first time in 1391, its incorporation into the Ottoman Empire was delayed until the late fifteenth century due to the turmoil caused by the invasion of "Timurlane", then the city was moved to Italian sovereignty in the It was taken by newly independent Turkey in the War of Independence in July 1921, following the end of World War I in 1919.

The culture of the city of Antalya has a long history that is still attached to the residents of the region. To discuss this deeply rooted culture, one must first examine Antalya's distinctive dishes, the most notable of which are the "Biyaz" dish, which consists of tahini, garlic, walnuts, and boiled beans, the "Loft Army" dish, which consists of hot meatballs cooked around a stick, and the spicy hibis dish with mixed cumin, tahini, and boiled beans. and tender kebabs and the white grouper is a common fish in local dishes, This is in addition to the many festivals and events that have become rooted in the residents of the region until they have become an integral part of the life of the region, including the following:

• The Golden Orange Film Festival in Antalya takes place in September and October each year.

• Eurasia International Film Festival: An annual international film festival that is now part of the Golden Orange Festival.

• Antalya TV Awards: awarded annually since 2009.

• Antalya Festival: It takes place in September.

• Mediterranean International Music Festival: Six days from October.

• Antalya International Music and Dance Festival Competition: Last week of August.

• Sand land: Sand Arts Festival at Lara Beach.

The climate of Antalya 

Antalya has a Mediterranean climate, so the summer of Antalya is hot and dry and winters are mild and rainy.

The average sea temperature ranges between 16 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 61 Fahrenheit in winter, and 27 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 81 Fahrenheit in summer, and the Taurus Mountains protect the region from the northern winds.

This climate has contributed to the availability of a natural green environment ranging from urban gardens to protected natural areas located outside the city, allowing people to relax, rest, and get close to nature, by enjoying sports and natural walking or just sitting and meditating and recreation in the open air.

Tourism in Antalya 

Antalya is a city with an amazing history that dates back to 133 BC and despite its architectural heritage that dates back to Roman times, most of the historical architecture in Antalya dates back to the Ottoman period in the Middle Ages.

This city can be visited in any season, as it is an indispensable tourist destination, especially during the summer. Extensive development and government funding have contributed to encouraging tourism. The year 2014 recorded a record number of tourists with about 12.5 million. Tourist and the most prominent places frequented by tourists are the following:

1. Alaaddin Mosque: Also known as Yevliminari Mosque, it is a historical mosque built by the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. Visitors can admire the six-domed mosque, famous for its 129 feet high, located in the old city of Antalya.
2. Konyaalti Beach: It is one of the two main beaches in Antalya. It is located on the western side of the city and extends for a distance of seven kilometers from the hills to the Bey Dagalari mountains.
3. Antalya Museum: One of the largest historical centers in Turkey and located in Konyaalti, it has 13 exhibition rooms, an open-air exhibition area, laboratories, warehouse, repair shops, photocopying room, conference hall, administrative offices, cafeteria, and living quarters for museum officials.
4. Heidirlik Kulesi in the Old Port: a 14-meter-high brownstone tower, said to have been built in the first or second century AD.

Antalya city economy