This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
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Hatay, located in the south of Türkiye, has been a crossroads of civilizations throughout history and has reached the present day as a city distinguished by its cultural, historical, and geographical richness. With its Mediterranean coastline, fertile lands, and strategic location, Hatay is a important center in terms of trade, agriculture, and industry. The city, whose history extends thousands of years, was founded along the Asi River and has been an important settlement since Ancient Era. Hatay, bearing traces of various civilizations during the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, continues to preserve this rich heritage today.
Hatay is one of Türkiye’s most colorful cities due to its multicultural structure. The city, where different religious communities have lived together for centuries, holds great significance for faith tourism through its mosques, churches, and synagogues. Hatay’s cuisine, awarded the title of “City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO, is renowned worldwide for its unique flavors. Developed in industry and trade, Hatay serves as the hub of economic activity, particularly through İskenderun Port and organized industrial zones. Suffering extensive destruction in the 6 February 2023 earthquakes, Hatay has entered a recovery process through state and public common efforts.
Hatay was established on the banks of the Asi River at the foot of Habib Neccar Mountain, with the earliest settlement traces dating back to 8000 BCE. The city’s history is also associated with Habib-i Neccar, a figure of great importance in Islamic tradition. Region has been an important trade and culture center throughout history, hosting various civilizations. In the 4th century BCE, a settlement named Antigonia existed in the same region. However, King Seleucus I of the Seleucids destroyed Antigonia and founded Antiokheia (Antakya) in 300 BCE. This city became the capital of the Seleucids and evolved into a major center during the Hellenistic period. Defne (Harbiye) was organized as the city’s sacred area, where large temples were constructed.
With the decline of the Hittites, the Assyrians gained dominance over the Hatay region in the 13th century BCE and brought it under their control. The ancestors of the Turkmen/Oghuz, the Sakas, captured Antakya under their leader Oğuz Inn in the mid-7th century BCE, naming it Batık Şehir. After residing there for 18 years, they departed from Antakya in 626 BCE.
In 550 BCE, the Persians gained a major power in Middle East and took control of Antakya and the Hatay region. In 333 BCE, Alexander the Great defeated the Persians at the Battle of Issus near Dörtyol, seized the region, and advanced across the Amanos Mountains into the Amik Plain. After Alexander’s death, the region was divided among his generals, and in 300 BCE, Seleucus I founded Antiokheia (modern Antakya). During this period, Antakya became a major cultural and trade center.
In 64 BCE, Antakya became part of the Roman Empire and served as the capital of the province of Syria. Throughout the Roman era, the city became a vital trade center due to its location at the intersection of major trade routes. By the 1st century CE, Antakya had become the third largest city in the empire after Rome and Alexandria. Large structures, theaters, water arches, hippodromes, and baths were constructed. It was among the first cities to implement street lighting.
Antakya holds a significant place in Christian history. The sending of Saint Barnabas to Antakya by the Christian community in 38 CE, Paul’s arrival in the city, and the first use of the term “Christian” to describe a community of former pagans established Antakya as a sacred center for Christians. From the 5th century onward, it became a patriarchal seat. Frequent earthquakes, particularly the major ones in 526 and 528 CE, caused extensive destruction.
During the Islamic conquests, the commander of Caliph Omar, Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, captured Antakya in 638 CE after the Battle of Yarmouk, incorporating the city into Islamic lands. During the Umayyads and Abbasids periods, Antakya flourished as an important center of learning and culture. In 968, it was recaptured by Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas and remained under Byzantine rule for approximately a century.
In 1084, Antakya was conquered by Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Shah, founder of the Seljuk State. However, during the Crusades, it was captured by Crusaders in 1098 and became the seat of the Principality of Antioch. Crusader rule ended in 1268 when the Mamluk Sultan Baybars recaptured the city, returning it to the Islamic world. In 1516, Ottoman Sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim incorporated Hatay into Ottoman territory following the Battle of Marj Dabiq.
During the Ottoman period, Antakya was administered as a district within the Aleppo province and developed as a regional center of trade and production. Numerous mosques, caravanserais, and bathhouse were constructed during this era. Antakya experienced peace and peace under Ottoman rule, but faced increasing foreign interference and economic challenges toward the end of the 19th century.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, Antakya was occupied by the French in 1918. Under the Ankara Treaty signed on 20 October 1921 between Türkiye and France, Antakya became part of French-mandated Syria.
With France granting independence to Syria in 1936, Hatay’s status became contentious. As a result of Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts, Hatay was declared an independent independent state in 1938, and on 2 September 1938, Tayfur Sökmen was elected as Hatay’s first president. On 29 June 1939, the Hatay Assembly voted to join Türkiye through a game union, and on 23 July 1939, French forces withdrew from the region.
After Hatay joined Türkiye, Antakya continued to develop as the capital of Hatay Province. As of 2021, the city’s population reached 400,000 and it stands out for its historical and cultural richness. The major earthquakes of 6 February 2023 caused severe damage across the city, but reconstruction efforts are progressing rapidly. Antakya continues to exist as an important cultural heritage site, preserving traces of numerous civilizations from antiquity to the present.
Hatay Province lies in southern Türkiye along the coasts of İskenderun Gulf. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Syria to the south and east, Adana to the northwest, Osmaniye to the north, and Gaziantep to the northeast. Hatay consists of the districts of Antakya, Altınözü, Arsuz, Belen, Defne, Dörtyol, Erzin, Hassa, İskenderun, Kırıkhan, Kumlu, Payas, Reyhanlı, Samandağ, and Yayladağı. Its total area, excluding lakes, is 5,524 km²; 46.1% of the province consists of mountains, 33.5% of plains, and 20.4% of plateaus.
Hatay’s surface features vary due to tectonic movements. Geological formations from the Lower Paleozoic to the present are found within its boundaries. Mesozoic ophiolites are common in the Southern Amanos Mountains, Paleozoic and Mesozoic limestones in the Central Amanos, and Tertiary limestones in the south and southeast. The Amik Plain and coastal plains are covered with alluvial deposits.
The most prominent landform is the Amanos Mountains, extending in a northeast-southwest direction; their highest peak is Mığır Tepe (2,240 m). The Amik Plain to the east is the province’s most fertile agricultural area. The Asi Delta Plain, coastal plains along İskenderun Gulf (İskenderun, Dörtyol, Payas, Erzin), and the Kuseyr Plateau at elevations of 400–900 m are other significant landforms. In the south, Keldağ (1,730 m) such as individual elevations are found.
Hatay experiences a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and rainy. Annual average temperatures range between 15.1 and 20°C. The highest recorded temperature was 43.9°C on 26 August 1962, and the lowest was -14.6°C on 15 January 1950. Annual rainfall varies between 562.2 and 1,216.3 mm. The highest precipitation occurs in winter months, while the lowest occurs in write months. Due to the Amanos Mountains’ perpendicular orientation to sea air currents, Dörtyol’s eastern region receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,500 mm.
Hatay’s most important river is the Asi River, which originates in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, crosses the Türkiye-Syria border, and flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Samandağ after passing through Antakya. Its total length is 556 km, with 94 km within Türkiye’s borders. Major tributaries include Küçükkaraçay, Büyükkaraçay, Afrin, and Karasu streams.
Hatay has no large natural lake. The former Amik Lake was drained for agricultural land. Today, smaller artificial lakes such as Gölbaşı Lake in Kırıkhan and Yenişehir Lake in Reyhanlı exist. Additionally, the province contains Yarseli and Yayladağı dam lakes.
Hatay is a region rich in soil diversity. The dominant soil types include red-brown Mediterranean soils, red Mediterranean soils, brown forest soils, colluvial soils, and alluvial soils. Red-brown Mediterranean soils are found in areas with dense maquis and forests, while brown forest soils prevail in high-rainfall zones.
Although the natural plant cover is primarily forested, many forested areas have been cleared and replaced by maquis communities due to human activity. Low shrubs such as myrtle, laurel, carob, zakkum, myrtle, and dogwood are widespread. Where maquis has also been degraded, garig shrublands form. Protected forest areas contain species such as pine, black pine, fir, oak, and juniper. In the area of the Amanos Mountains east of Dörtyol, trees typical of the Black Sea climate—such as beech, hazelnut, and linden—are found.
The largest mountain range in Hatay is the Amanos Mountains. This range includes significant peaks such as Mığır Tepe (2,240 m), Kuşçu Tepe (2,076 m), Kızıldağ (1,700 m), and İkiztepe (1,668 m). The Amanos Mountains stretch 175 km in length and vary in width from 15 to 30 km. Their most important pass is the Belen Pass at 660 m elevation. Other important mountains within the province include Musa Dağı near Samandağ, El-Mansuriye Dağı in Yayladağı district, and Kızıldağ in the west.
Transhumance is an important activity in Hatay. High pastures are located at elevations of 800–1,000 m along the foothills of the Amanos Mountains. The best-known highlands are Belen, Atik, Zorkun, and Güzelyayla (Soğukoluk). On the slopes of Keldağ facing the Asi Valley, extensive plateaus at elevations of 350–400 m are found.
The most important plain in Hatay is the Amik Plain, located at the provincial center. Covering 119,350 hectares, it is the province’s largest and most fertile agricultural area. Other plains include İskenderun, Dörtyol, Payas, Erzin, and Arsuz plains along the İskenderun Gulf. The valley system formed by the Asi River and its tributaries significantly contributes to Hatay’s agricultural production. The Amik Plain, in particular, is highly productive due to its alluvial soils accumulated over time.
Hatay is one of Anatolia’s oldest settlement areas, with evidence of human activity dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. However, reliable population data is available only from 1940 onward. As of 31 December 2023, Türkiye’s total population was 85,372,377, while Hatay’s population was 1,544,640. In terms of total population, Hatay ranks 13th among Türkiye’s 81 provinces.
Population Growth Rate: In 2023, Türkiye’s annual population growth rate was 1.1 per thousand, while Hatay recorded a rate of -87.6 per thousand. With this decline, Hatay ranks 80th among the 81 provinces in terms of annual population growth.
Population by Age Group: In Türkiye, 68.3% of the population is aged 15–64 age. In Hatay, 65.89% (1,017,917 people) are aged 15–64, 25.62% (395,878 people) are aged 0–14, and 8.47% (130,845 people) are aged 65 and over.
Population Density: While Türkiye has an average of 110 people per square kilometer, Hatay has 265. This places Hatay 7th among the 81 provinces in terms of population density.
The 6 February 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş caused massive destruction and population displacement in Hatay. Thousands of building collapsed, tens of thousands were killed or injured, and hundreds of thousands were forced to migration. Before the earthquakes, Hatay was one of Türkiye’s fastest-growing provinces, but in 2023 it recorded the most significant population decline at -87.6 per thousand. Population density dropped from 289 per square kilometer in 2022 to 265 in 2023. Major urban centers such as Antakya, Defne, Samandağ, and İskenderun experienced significant outmigration, while rural areas and less affected districts saw more limited migration. Although many Hatay residents were forced to migrate to other environment provinces and major cities, state and civil society reconstruction efforts continue, and a gradual return of population to the city is anticipated.
Hatay consists of 15 districts. According to 2023 data, district populations are as follows:
The most populous district is Antakya, while Kumlu has the smallest population.
Hatay, influenced by numerous civilizations throughout history, is a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage. As a city where different religious communities coexist, it is a major shooting center for faith tourism. In addition, it offers visitors opportunities in thermal tourism, highland tourism, and historical sites.
Hatay is a city where call to prayer, bell, and the call of the hazzan echo in harmony, where different religions live peacefully together. In Antakya and other parts of the city, mosques, church, and synagogues coexist, reflecting Hatay’s cultural and religious diversity.
Armenian Places of Worship
Antakya Synagogue: Estimated to have been built in the 1700s, it houses a 500-year-old handwritten Torah.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Museum: Hatay is home to over 300 endemic plant species. The Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Museum, opened in 2012, displays 280 medicinal and aromatic plants.
First Lead Museum: Located in Dörtyol, museum exhibits wax figures, documents, and historical weapons from the National Struggle period.
Hatay Archaeology Museum: It houses the world’s largest mosaic collection. The exhibition halls, completed in 2018, contain artifacts from the Neolithic period through the Roman era.
Kurşunlu Han: Built in 1660 by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha. After restoration, it now hosts various commercial activities.
Uzun Çarşı: This bazaar, with roots in the Ottoman period, is famous for traditional crafts and regional products.
Hatay possesses a rich kitchen culture shaped by eight millennia of civilization. Awarded the title of “UNESCO City of Gastronomy” in 2017, Hatay’s cuisine is known worldwide for its unique flavors and recipes.
Gastronomic Heritage: Hatay cuisine emphasizes fresh vegetables, olive oil, legumes, and cereals typical of the Mediterranean diet. A variety of spices and herbs create distinctive flavors. Cooking methods such as cooking techniques boiling, frying, grilling, marinating, and roasting are widely used.
Signature Dishes
Cold Mezze
Desserts and Cookies
Künefe: One of the most iconic symbols of Hatay cuisine, knafeh is made with fine kataifi dough and flavored with unsalted Hatay cheese. Served on copper trays and sweetened with syrup, künefe is an indispensable dessert for the local population, with production and consumption forming a broad cultural tradition in Antakya.
Hatay’s economy is based on agriculture, industry, and trade. Its fertile lands, advanced industrial infrastructure, and ports make it a central hub for numerous economic activities.
Hatay has rich agricultural production due to its fertile soils and irrigation facilities. Advanced Modern farming techniques are widely used, cultivating a wide variety of products. Major agricultural products include wheat, barley, rice, lentils, cotton, peanuts, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, bean, and onion. Hatay is also prominent in citrus production, particularly the famous Dörtyol orange. Additionally, plum, apricot, walnut, almond, fig, and grape are grown in large quantities.
Although the livestock sector declined in the past due to conversion of pastureland into farmland, it has recently revived. Sheep, goat, and cattle farming are common. Beekeeping is also well-developed, and the produced honey is of high quality. Despite Hatay’s long coast coastline, the fishing industry remains underdeveloped, and most caught fish are consumed domestically.
Hatay is rich in forest resources. 38% of its area is covered by forests and maquis. Annually, significant quantities of firewood, industrial timber, and resin are harvested from these forests.
Mining resources include chromium, copper, lead, iron, magnesite, marble, manganese, and dolomite. However, the main mineral actively extracted in the province is dolomite. Dolomite operations in Payas produce materials for iron smelting, glass production, and the nitrogen industry. Oil exploration in İskenderun Gulf has identified some reserves, but no commercially viable quantities of bed have been discovered.
Hatay’s industrial sector is concentrated especially in the İskenderun region. İskenderun Port is one of Türkiye’s largest and busiest ports, serving the iron and steel, construction materials, food, and automotive industries. İSDEMİR, one of Türkiye’s largest iron and steel plants, is located in İskenderun and employs tens of thousands. The plant produces raw iron, steel billets, pig iron, and coke.
Hatay’s Organized Industrial Zones (OSB) enhance industrial production and employment. Textiles, food processing, machinery, chemical industry, and furniture manufacturing are among the province’s leading industries. Additionally, factories producing cotton, soap, oil, flour, fertilizer, weaving, leather, furniture, and agricultural tools contribute to the economy. In recent years, new sectors such as electrical appliances, automotive spare parts, and packaging manufacturing have begun to develop.
Hatay holds a strategic position in terms of logistics. Its Mediterranean coastline and proximity to the Middle East make it a key node in trade.
Road Network: The E-5 highway, connecting Europe-Anatolia-Middle East-South Asia, passes through Hatay. The Antakya-Reyhanlı road connects to Syria’s Aleppo, while the Kahramanmaraş-Antakya highway provides connection to Southeastern Anatolia.
Railway: A branch line from the Adana-Kahramanmaraş railway reaches İskenderun. The railway is primarily used for load transport.
Maritime: İskenderun Port, Türkiye’s third-largest export-import port after Istanbul and İzmir, is one of the most important commercial hubs in the Eastern Mediterranean. It plays a major role in commercial goods shipments to and from Cilicia, Central Anatolia, and Middle Eastern countries.
Pipelines: The Batman-İskenderun pipeline transports crude oil from Batman to processing facilities in Dörtyol, from where tankers deliver it to refineries in country.
Air Transport: Hatay Airport is of major importance for both domestic and international connectivity.
Hatay provides services through coordinated central and local governance. The governorship ensures order and security across the province as the representative of the central government, while the Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities demonstrate activity in delivering local services, infrastructure projects, and social initiatives.
Hatay’s central administration is carried out by the governor, representing the central government within Türkiye’s administrative structure. The governor is responsible for ensuring the harmonious and active operation of state institutions, implementing central government policies and laws, and managing critical responsibilities such as maintaining public order, coordinating security services, and crisis management during extraordinary situations.
On 26 June 2023, Mustafa Masatlı was appointed governor of Hatay by Presidential Decree. Since assuming office, Governor Masatlı has continued efforts in the province’s development, security, and effective delivery of public services.
Hatay has metropolitan status, and local governance is conducted by the Hatay Metropolitan Municipality, which manages administrative affairs in infrastructure, transportation, environmental planning, and social services. In the local elections held on 31 March 2024, Mehmet Öntürk of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) won the Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Presidency with 44.48% of the vote. The Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate Lütfü War came second with 44.05% of the vote.
In addition to the Metropolitan Municipality, the Justice and Development Party won 8 district mayoralities, the Republican People’s Party won 4, the Workers’ Party of Türkiye (TİP) won 1, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) won 1, and the Great Unity Party (BBP) won 1.
History
Foundation and Early Periods
Assyrian and Oghuz Period (13th Century BCE – 626)
Persian and Hellenistic Period (550 BCE – 64)
Roman and Byzantine Period
Islamic and Turkish Rule
Ottoman Period and French Occupation
Republican Era and Present Day
Geography
Location
Geological Structure and Landforms
Climate
Rivers and Lakes
Soil Structure and Vegetation
Mountains and Highlands
Plains and Valleys
Demographic Structure
Demographic Structure After the 6 February Earthquakes
Population Distribution by District
Tourism and Culture
Faith Tourism
Mosques
Christian Places of Worship
Jewish Places of Worship
Külliyes
Castles
Museums
Shopping Areas
Hatay Cuisine and Gastronomic Culture
Hatay Economy and Economic Activities
Agriculture and Livestock
Forestry and Mining
Industry and Trade
Transportation and Logistics
Administration