Mersin, Mediterranean port city in southern Turkey
Mersin is a large port settlement on Turkey's southern coast, positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus range. Its streets follow the coastline for several kilometers, linking residential, commercial, and harbor districts together.
Excavations at Yumuktepe reveal occupation since roughly 6300 BCE, making this area one of Turkey's oldest settled places. Various empires controlled the harbor over centuries until the settlement grew during the 19th century under Ottoman rule.
The city takes its name from the myrtle plant that once grew along the shoreline and remains part of local identity. Many residents walk the waterfront promenade in the evening and gather there for tea or snacks.
Most visitors orient themselves along the coastal road that runs parallel to the sea and offers a good starting point. Many shops and restaurants open in the morning and close late in the evening, especially during summer months.
The region grows large quantities of citrus fruit, sold at local markets and shipped through the harbor to many countries. The scent of oranges and lemons marks some neighborhoods near the groves during springtime.
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