Hatay
Area: 5.403 km²
Population: 1.109.754 (1990)
Traffic Code: 31
Districts: Hatay (center), Altinozu, Belen, Dortyol, Erzin, Hassa, Iskenderun, Kirikhan, Kumlu, Reyhanli, Samandagi, Yayladagi.
Sites of Interest
- Sogukoluk and Yayladagi forest recreation areas
- Arsuz beaches
- Alalah (Tel Acana), Tel Tayinat, Catalhoyuk (Kanula), Harbiye (Dophne), Issos, El-Mina, Arsuz (Rhossos or Rosus), Seleukeia Pieria settlements and city
- Antakya (Antiokheia) city walls
- Traianus Sukemeri, Heronion, Koz (Kursat), Payas, Bakras, Sariseki, Salen and Darb-i Sak (Bayezid-i Bistami) castles
- Saint Peter's Grotto
- Cin (genie) Tower
- Girls' Palace (Kasr El-Benet)
- Sokullu Mehmed Pasha complex
- Habib Neccar Mosque
- Sokullu complex
- Hatay Archeology Museum.
Cultural Resources and Organizations
- Provincial Cultural Directorate, Telephone: (326) 214 92 17, Fax: (326) 213 33 86
- Hatay Cultural Center, Sehit Mustafa Sevgi Caddesi No: 8/A, Antakya; Telephone: (326) 216 06 52
- Hatay Museum, Gunduz Caddesi No: 1, Hatay; Telephone: (326) 214 61 68, Fax: (326) 213 33 86
Historical Sites and Ruins
- Saint Pierre Church - Antakya / Kuruyer
- Accana Ruins - Reyhanli (Merrus) / Varisli K.
- Cevlik Ruins - Samandag / Kapisuyu Village
Local Days of Celebration
- 18 March: Commemoration Day for Canakkale Martyrs, Antakya
- 5 April: Commemoration Day for Yunus Emre, Antakya
- 29 June: Saint Pierre Rites, Antakya St. Pierre Church (For Catholics)
- 28-29 October: 29 October Holiday of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Bayrami)
- 27 December: Commemoration Day for Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Antakya
- 17 December: Commemoration Day for Mevlana, Antakya
Freedom from Occupation Days:
- 8 January: Freedom Day for Erzin (Yesilkent)
- 9 January: Freedom Day for Dortyol
- 5 July: Arrival of the Turkish Soldiers at Iskenderun, Iskenderun
- 6 July: Arrival of the Turkish Soldiers at Kirikhan, Kirikhan
- 8 July: Arrival of the Turkish Soldiers at Reyhanli, Reyhanli
- 23 July: Freedom Day for Hatay, Antakya
- 15 November: Freedom Day for Hassa, Hassa
Festivals:
- 5 May: Hidrellez Culture Festivities, Antakya
- 5-9 July: International Iskenderun Culture Festival, Iskenderun
- 15-16 July: Kirikhan Municipality Melon Festival, Kirikhan
- 21-23 July: Antakya International Tourism, Culture and Art Festival, Antakya
Significant Weeks
- 10 November: Commemoration Week for Ataturk, Antakya