Founded by Attalos II, Antalya Province stands as a testament to time. What stories could these ancient lands tell if they could speak?
Antalya Province sits on Turkey’s southwest coast. It lies between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. This province corresponds to ancient Lycia, Pamphylia, and part of Pisidia. Antalya Province is now the heart of Turkey’s tourism. It attracts 30% of all foreign tourists visiting Turkey.
Let me paint a picture of Antalya Province. Imagine a vast area of 20,177 square kilometers. Now, populate it with 2,688,004 people as of 2022. That’s a density of about 130 people per square kilometer. Antalya is not just any province. It is Turkey’s fastest-growing province. Its population growth rate was 4.17% yearly between 1990 and 2000. The national rate was only 1.83%. This growth is due to urbanization driven by tourism and service sectors.
Antalya’s history stretches back to prehistoric times. Evidence of human habitation from the Paleolithic age exists. We are talking about 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. The Karain cave holds these secrets. Other finds from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods show continuous habitation. Various civilizations have called this area home.
According to Herodotus, the Milyae were the earliest known inhabitants. They called the area Milyas. Later, the Termilae from Crete settled here. Greek legend tells of an Athenian exile named Lykos. Hittite records refer to the area as Lukka. The Lukka were known for their seafaring skills. They were independent and resisted domination.
In the Hellenistic period, western Antalya was Lycia. The east was Pamphylia. Pisidia lay to the north. These communities formed the federation of Pamphylia. Lycia even had the world’s first democratic constitution. It partly inspired the U.S. Constitution.
Antalya was part of the Lydian kingdom until 546 BC. Alexander the Great conquered the cities around 334 BC. Termessos and Sillyon resisted his armies. After Alexander’s death, his generals fought for control. The kingdom of Pergamon then began its reign. Attalos III left his kingdom to the Roman Republic in 133 BC.
During the Byzantine era, Antalya grew beyond its walls. Muslim Arabs became dominant in the Levant. Antalya played a role in the Christian Crusades. King Louis VII of France sailed from Antalya during the Second Crusade. Richard I of England rallied his fleet here for the Third Crusade. Seljuk Turks conquered the area and Byzantines recaptured it. This happened repeatedly from 1076. In 1220, Byzantine rule ended for good.
The Ottoman Empire took control in 1432. The Kingdom of Cyprus occupied Antalya between 1361 and 1373. Italy briefly occupied Antalya after World War I. It became part of the Republic of Turkey in 1921.
The geography of Antalya Province is diverse. Mountains cover 77.8% of the land. Plains make up 10.2%. Uneven terrain accounts for 12%. The Taurus Mountains feature peaks above 3,000 meters. The Teke Peninsula includes plateaus and river basins.
Antalya’s climate varies greatly. It changes from the mountains to the coastal plain. The province borders several others. They are Muğla, Burdur, Isparta, Konya, Karaman and Mersin.
There are many places of interest in Antalya Province. You will find three National Parks here. There are also three Specially Protected Areas. The highest point of the Taurus mountains is Akdağ. Saklıkent ski center allows skiing and swimming in the sea. This is possible between January and April. Antalya National Space Observatory is on Bakırlı Hill. You can go rafting and canoeing in rivers. Jeep safaris are organized in the Taurus mountains. Rock climbing is available. Bird watching and photo safaris are popular. Myra and Patara offer holy tourism activities. The eternal flames of Chimaera are also here. Belek has potential for golf tourism. Underwater diving centers are on the coast.
Antalya Province is more than just a place. It’s a living museum. It is a vibrant blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From ancient ruins to modern resorts, Antalya offers a unique experience. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine.