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Turkey has hundreds of beaches and marinas which have the "Blue Flag" designation (a European award for the best and cleanest water).

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A Turkish Ramazan drummer wakes up the faithful, during the early morning hours in Izmir.

Ramazan, Ramadan, and the Ramazan Drummers

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