Araban is a district located in the middle of the Araban Plain in the northeast of Gaziantep. Located on the Gaziantep-Besni-Adıyaman highway, 67 km from the city center, the district has an area of 542 km² and an altitude of 700 meters. According to the 2016 Address Based Population Registration System data, its total population is 31,987. It is bordered to the south by the districts of Karadağ and Yavuzeli, to the north by the districts of Halfeti and Bozova within the province of Şanlıurfa, and to the west by the Pazarcık District of Kahramanmaraş. The district's history dates back to 2000 BC and draws attention with its rich cultural heritage and agriculture-based economy.

History

Araban's history dates back to very old times. There are caves belonging to ancient settlements in the Karacaören Neighborhood on the slopes of Beştepe Mountain and in the Fıstıklıdağ Neighborhood, and in the Habeş Stream on the banks of the Euphrates River. Various figures are also located in these caves. It is known that the Hittite State first dominated the region in the 1600s BC. Later, the Mitanni, the Commagene Kingdom, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Sassanids, Arabs and finally the Turks dominated the region. The district, which was called "Raban" in the Roman-Byzantine period and "Kale-i Zerrin" meaning "Golden Castle" in the Arab period, was also known as "Kala" and "Altıntaş". Araban, which was a town called Altıntaş during the Republican period, gained district status in 1957. In addition, the district governor's office building in the district center was built in 1977 and houses the courthouse, property directorate, population directorate and district governor's office with its three-story structure.

Geographical Structure

Araban is located in the center of the Araban Plain and is surrounded by mountainous areas. To the south is Karadağ, to the north is the Pazarcık mountainous region and the districts of Halfeti and Bozova. The altitude of the district is 700 meters and water resources such as the Karasu River give life to the region. The mound-like structure of the Araban Castle stands out as a geographical symbol in the district center.

Climate and Vegetation

Although there is no direct data on the climate and vegetation of Araban, when the general characteristics of the Gaziantep region are taken into consideration, it can be said that the district has a continental climate. This climate is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. The vegetation has steppe characteristics; it offers suitable conditions for viticulture and pistachio cultivation as well as agricultural areas.

Social Structure

Although Araban has a deep-rooted history, detailed information about its social structure is limited. However, the district's cultural heritage and lifestyle based on agriculture suggest that the society is structured around traditional values. Historical elements such as mounds, monumental tombs and bridges show that social life is shaped around this heritage.

Economic Structure

The district's economy is largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Watermelon, cotton, wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, viticulture and pistachios are the main agricultural products of Araban. These products are important for both local consumption and the regional economy. Animal husbandry also takes its place in the economic structure as a complement to agriculture.

Tourism Potential

Araban has significant tourism potential with its rich historical and cultural heritage. There are 9 registered mounds, 1 rock tomb, 1 sarcophagus, 3 monumental tombs, 1 bridge, 1 church mosaic, 1 castle and 1 archaeological site in the district. The main touristic elements are as follows:

Araban Castle: It is located on the mound in the district center. The mound, which is 20 meters high, spreads over a wide area and the castle is reached by a 6-meter wide ramp extending from east to north.
Septimius Severus Bridge: It is located on the Karasu River, 5 km south of Gümüşpınar Village. It is also called the "Sultan Murat Bridge" by the locals.
Hisar Monumental Tomb: It is a solid structure made of cut stone in Hisar Village.
Elif Monumental Tomb: It is an arched and cross-roofed structure built of cut stone in the garden of the Elif Village secondary school.
Hasanoğlu Monumental Tomb: It is located in Hasanoğlu Village and has suffered more damage than other monumental tombs.
Arched Rock Tomb: It consists of coffins carved into the limestone rock, west of Fıstıklıdağ Village.
Başpınar, Aşağıkaravaiz, Sarıkaya, Ardıl (Alacahöyük), Şelveran, Gece, Muratlı, Eskialtıntaş and İçkinaz Mounds: They attract attention with ceramic remains from the Bronze, Iron, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

In addition, the Sa’d-Bin Ebu Vakkas Tomb has an important place in terms of religious tourism.

Demographic Structure

According to the 2016 Address Based Population Registration System, the population of Araban is 31,987. The demographic structure of the district is shaped by a lifestyle based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The population is distributed between the district center and the surrounding villages.

Araban (District)