Erdemli

Erdemli is a municipality and district of Mersin Province, Turkey. Its area is 2,279 km2, and its population is 151,928 (2022). It is west of the city of Mersin.
Geography
Erdemli is located between the districts of Mezitli (to the east) and Silifke (to the west). In the north, Erdemli is bordered by Karaman Province and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.
The district extends from the Mediterranean coastal plain, the largest agricultural area in Mersin Province, to high in the Taurus Mountains where there is forest, and then a large area (half the land area of the district) is high mountain above the treeline.
Erdemli is a quiet rural district where the people are conservative, and is traditionally a stronghold of Turkish nationalist politicians; however some departments of Mersin University are opening branches here which will surely have an effect on the cultural and social life of Erdemli in the future. There is no industry except some hand-weaving of rugs so the local economy depends on agriculture. The coastal plain is covered with citrus fruits, bananas, and various fruits and vegetables grown year-round in open fields or in greenhouses. High meadows in the mountains are planted with grain pulses and fruits such as apples, peaches, and cherries. At these altitudes there are also vineyards, olive groves, and fig trees.
This is an attractive forested coastal district, and Erdemli is now attracting investment in infrastructure to develop a tourist industry.
The coast is home to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. The Middle East Technical University in Ankara has an Institute of Marine Sciences graduate school here, which has a biology group that monitors the seals.
Places of interest
Akkale (in the modern village of Tırtar) - the ruins of a large Byzantine building, possibly a palace, with baths, a water tank and large tank for storing olive oil.
Alata Research Institute of Horticulture Research Institute, also offers picnic area
Emirzeli - the ruins of an ancient city with traces of Hellenistic, Ancient Roman and Byzantine architecture including a church, a tower, water storage and houses.
Çanakçı rock tombs - a group of rock-carved tombs dating back to the 2nd century AD.
Çatıören - a Hellenistic city with temple of Hermes and necropolis.
Öküzlü - the foundations of an ancient city, with a basilica, water tanks and monumental stones.
Corycus and Kızkalesi - Findings in the necropolis inform us that the city of Corycus dates back the 4th century BC, in the 1st century they minted coinage here. The nearby castle of Kızkalesi Ghorgos was built on an island offshore in the 12th century.
Elaiussa Sebaste - founded in the 2nd century, but thrived under the Romans and Byzantines, the site includes a necropolis, theatre and waterworks.
Canytelis - occupied since the 3rd century BC, the site includes rock tombs and a Hellenistic period tower.
Kanlıdivane - an ancient city around a big sinkhole dating back to ancient Olba Kingdom.
Paşa Türbesi - a small Seljuk-era (13th century) tomb and there are many more remains from antiquity in the area.
Composition
There are 71 neighbourhoods in Erdemli District:
Adnan Menderes
Akdeniz
Akpınar
Alata
Alibeyli
Arpaçbahşiş
Arslanlı
Ayaş
Aydınlar
Barbaros
Batısandal
Çamlı
Çerçili
Çeşmeli
Çiftepınar
Çiriş
Dağlı
Doğusandal
Elbeyli
Elvanlı
Esenpınar
Evdilek
Fakılı
Fatih
Gücüş
Güneyli
Güzeloluk
Hacıalanı
Hacıhalilarpaç
Harfilli
Hüsametli
İlemin
Karaahmetli
Karahıdırlı
Karakeşli
Karayakup
Kargıcak
Kargıpınarı
Kayacı
Kızılen
Kızkalesi
Kocahasanlı
Koramşalı
Kösbucağı
Kösereli
Koyuncu
Kuşluca
Küstülü
Limonlu
Merkez
Pınarbaşı
Şahna
Sarıkaya
Sarıyer
Sinap
Sıraç
Sorgun
Tabiye
Tapureli
Tırtar
Tömük
Toros
Tozlu
Türbe
Üçtepe
Üzümlü
Veyselli
Yağda
Yarenler
Yeniyurt
Yüksek
Gallery
References
External links
District governor's official website
District municipality's official website
Erdemli
Mersin University
Mersin haberleri
Populated places in Erdemli District
Populated coastal places in Turkey
Districts of Mersin Province
Metropolitan district municipalities in Turkey