İslahiye is a district of Gaziantep province, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Due to its location at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Region, it exhibits Mediterranean characteristics in terms of climate and vegetation. İslahiye, notable for its history, agriculture, and strategic location, possesses a rich cultural heritage.
History
The history of İslahiye dates back to the Early Chalcolithic Age (5500-5000 BC). Research conducted in the mounds of the İslahiye Plain indicates that the region was an ancient settlement center. The area, an important center during the Late Hittite period, was inhabited by the Luwians and Hittites in the 1400s BC, followed by the Aramaeans and Assyrians (800s BC) who established dominance. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the region and founded the city of Nikopolis, which was connected to the province of Syria during the Roman period. Nikopolis lost its importance after being plundered by the Parthians and is not mentioned as a significant settlement during the Byzantine period.
İslahiye, which was incorporated into Ottoman lands by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1516, was restructured in the 19th century with the Fırka-i İslahiyye army, established in 1865 to suppress rebellions in Çukurova and the Gavur Mountains. The district's name derives from this military unit and gained official status in 1866. After World War I, İslahiye, occupied first by the British and then by the French under the Mudros Armistice, was liberated on November 13, 1920, with the victory of the local people against the French at Güvercin Pass. With the Ankara Agreement dated October 20, 1921, the Türkiye-Syria border was drawn, and İslahiye attained its present-day borders. The district, which was a sub-province of Adana province in the late 19th century, was annexed to Gaziantep in 1933 and gained district status. Among the important archaeological sites in the region are the ruins of Nikopolis, Tilmen Mound, Zincirli (Sam’al) Mound, and Yesemek Open-Air Museum. Yesemek attracts tourists as the largest open-air museum in the Middle East, while Tilmen Mound proves that it was a large city in the 3rd millennium BC.
Geographical Structure
İslahiye is located southwest of Gaziantep, 88-90 km from the provincial center. With an area of 1,513 km², the district is bordered by Gaziantep Center to the east, Kilis to the southeast, Hatay to the southwest, Osmaniye to the west, Kahramanmaraş to the north, and Syria to the south. Its altitude above sea level is 518 meters. The İslahiye Plain extends between the Nur Mountains and Sof (Kartal) Mountain, and is a tectonic depression area. The plain is irrigated by rivers such as Karasu Stream, which originates from the Nur and Sof Mountains; Tahtaköprü Dam has been built on this stream. The western and eastern parts of the district are rugged, while the middle is flat. The Istanbul-Aleppo railway passes through the district center, and there is a train station in Fevzipaşa Town. Located on the Hatay-Kahramanmaraş fault line, İslahiye is in a 1st-degree earthquake zone.
Climate and Vegetation
İslahiye exhibits transitional characteristics between Mediterranean and continental climates; however, the Mediterranean climate is dominant. Summers are hot and dry, while winters can be harsh in some years due to its geographical location. The natural vegetation is maquis, while forest areas are found in higher elevations (e.g., Hınzırlı Plateau).
Social Structure
The social structure of İslahiye reflects a traditional way of life based on agriculture and animal husbandry. According to the 2000 census, the district center population was around 30,000, while the total population was 80,174; according to the 2016 Address-Based Population Registration System, it is 66,941. Among its villages are settlements such as İdilli, Köklü, Yeniköy, Kabaklar, Çerçili, and Yesemek. Cultural events, such as grape festivals, are organized in the district.
Economic Structure
The district's economy is based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry. Main agricultural products include wheat, grapes, red pepper (İslahiye Pepper), olives, cotton, onions, sugar beet, Antep pistachios, corn, and soybeans. İslahiye Pepper is a branded product in exports and is sent abroad. Grape production also holds a significant place; with an annual production of around 174 thousand tons, 70% of Türkiye's table grape needs are met. Grapes are exported to countries like Russia, Germany, and Dubai, and are processed into products like molasses and "bastık" (fruit leather). Cattle, sheep, and Angora goats are raised in animal husbandry; forestry is practiced in mountainous areas. Bauxite and dolomite deposits are also found in the region.
Tourism Potential
İslahiye is rich in terms of tourism with its historical and natural beauties. Yesemek Open-Air Museum, with over 500 sculpture drafts dating back to the 9th century BC, is the largest open-air museum in the Middle East and is located 23 km from the district center. Tilmen Mound is located 5 km to the east and contains the ruins of a large city dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Zincirli (Sam’al) Mound offers important remains from the Neo-Hittite period. Structures such as the Cıncıklı Artifacts and Yılan Castle from the Roman period also attract attention. Plateaus (Huzurlu, Karagöz, Meydan) and the area around Tahtaköprü Dam attract visitors in summer months. Infrastructure works are ongoing for the opening of Huzur Plateau to tourism.
Demographic Structure
İslahiye's total population was recorded as 80,174 in 2000 and 66,941 in 2016. The population is distributed between the district center and villages. While 2,049 people (28 Non-Muslim, 2,021 Muslim) lived in the first census in 1866, the population reached 17,509 by the end of the 19th century, including the sub-province and its villages. Today, a population structure primarily dependent on agriculture and animal husbandry prevails.
İslahiye is one of Gaziantep's important districts, with its strategic location, fertile lands, and historical richness. The district, notable for its agricultural products and tourism potential, offers a unique identity at the intersection of the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia.
