Hatay Province, Province with Mediterranean coastline in southern Turkey.
Hatay Province stretches across the far south of Turkey, encompassing mountain ranges, agricultural lowlands, and a coastal strip along the Mediterranean. This geographic variety brings different landscapes, from forested mountain slopes to fertile plains where olive groves and citrus plantations grow.
The region changed hands many times over millennia, including rule by Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, and Ottomans. After a brief period under French administration, the territory joined the Turkish Republic through a referendum in 1939.
Antakya, the provincial capital, shows visible traces of different religious communities through its places of worship including mosques, churches, and old sanctuaries. This diversity also appears in the kitchens across the region, where Levantine flavors and Mediterranean traditions shape local gastronomy.
The two largest cities, Antakya and Iskenderun, serve as starting points for travelers exploring the region. Roads connect the province with the rest of the country and with neighboring areas across the southern border.
The archaeological museum in Antakya preserves an extraordinary collection of Roman and Byzantine floor mosaics uncovered during excavations across the provincial territory. Visitors can see detailed scenes from mythology and daily life created nearly 2,000 years ago.
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