Nurdağı is a district in Türkiye, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, belonging to Gaziantep province. Situated between 36-37 east meridians and 37-38 north parallels, the district is a strategic crossroads connecting east to west and north to south. It is bordered by Şahinbey and Şehitkamil districts of Gaziantep to the east, Bahçe district of Osmaniye to the west, Türkoğlu and Pazarcık districts of Kahramanmaraş to the north, and İslahiye district of Gaziantep to the south. Located at the foot of the Amanos Mountains, on the historical Silk Road, Nurdağı’s center has an altitude of 570 meters.

History

Nurdağı's establishment dates back to the mid-19th century. The first settlement was formed by families who were forced to migrate from Kaman village, a part of Bahçe district of Osmaniye, to Kurudere. This migration occurred due to the harsh winter conditions in Kaman and the threat of starvation faced by the animals of communities relying on animal husbandry for their livelihood. From the 1850s onwards, Europeans, especially Germans, built a railway in the 1870s to access Arab oil fields, and this route passed through the region. The establishment of the TCDD (Turkish State Railways) Station Chiefdom on September 9, 1929, was an important event that laid the foundation for Nurdağı. The station was named "Kömürler Station" due to its proximity to Hacı Ökkeş Kömüroğlu's land, and laborer and foreman barracks were built around it. With the opening of the station, a rush of workers began, and small businesses emerged to meet social needs.

In 1937, a bakery and a grocery store opened by Muhammed and his wife Emin, of Syrian origin, became the district's first commercial establishments. However, in 1940, due to bandit raids, this family migrated to Reyhanlı district of Hatay. In 1942, Kambur Şıho from Kömürler Village opened a grocery store in the same place, followed by Güllü Ceylan from Olucak, Aziz Ağa, Mektepli Mustafa Yiğit, and Altındiş Ali establishing the first haberdashery and mill. In 1937, a gendarmerie outpost was built, affiliated with the İslahiye Gendarmerie Station, to ensure road safety in the region, and it was later moved to the vicinity of the station. With the arrival of Çanakçıoğulları and Ayanoğlu mining companies in 1945, population growth accelerated; the first petrol station was opened by Mahmut Atay, and the first restaurant by Memet Usta from Antep.

The completion of the E-24 Highway in 1972 triggered construction and population growth in the district, and on June 6, 1976, it gained municipality status as a town. On May 20, 1990, with 9 villages separated from Fevzipaşa sub-district of İslahiye, 18 from Sakçagözü sub-district, and one village from the center, it gained district status with law no. 3644 published in the Official Gazette no. 20523, becoming the 5th district of Gaziantep.

Geographical Structure

Nurdağı is located in the conjunction of the Amik Plain, between the extensions of the Amanos Mountains in the north and Kartal Yücesi Hill in the south. While mountainous regions, except for the southern parts, consist of maquis and rocky areas, the plain areas are used for agriculture. Water resources are found on mountainous slopes; the southern forested areas are covered with dense trees. The highest point is Kartal Yücesi Hill at 1,429 meters, and the lowest point is Höbür Hill at 517 meters. The district's mountainous structure is divided into two parts: the extensions of the Amanos Mountains in the northwest and a group of hills in the southeast. Important hills include Kocager (1,096 m), Veysel (1,325 m), Kalecik (961 m), Hartlaplıgedik (977 m), Ökkeş Baba Tomb (1,057 m), Sarımağara (1,167 m), Büyükmine (788 m), and Emir Musa Mountain (788 m).

Climate and Vegetation

Nurdağı's climate exhibits a transitional characteristic between continental and Mediterranean climates due to the influence of the Amanos Mountains. Winters are cold and rainy, while summers are hot and dry. Snow is observed in winter on high-altitude hills (e.g., Veysel and Hartlaplıgedik). The vegetation varies according to altitude and region: pine and oak trees dominate in mountainous areas; dense forests are common in the south, while maquis and rocky areas are widespread in the north. Newly planted pine saplings on Emir Musa Mountain are noteworthy.

Social Structure

Nurdağı's social structure has been shaped by migrations throughout history. The first settlers were families engaged in animal husbandry from Kurudere. With the establishment of the TCDD Station Chiefdom, worker families settled in the region, and in 1945, the worker population increased with the arrival of mining companies. As the population grew, businesses such as haberdasheries, mills, coffee houses, and grocery stores multiplied, and social solidarity and trade developed. During the Ottoman period, the region, which was part of Cebeli Bereket province, was the scene of interaction between different ethnic and cultural groups. Today, the district has a social structure reflecting the cultural heritage of Gaziantep.

Economic Structure

Nurdağı's economy relies on agriculture, animal husbandry, and trade. While plain areas are used for agriculture, animal husbandry is prominent in mountainous regions. Its location on the historical Silk Road and the E-24 Highway has made the district an important commercial hub. The activities of mining companies in 1945 provided economic vitality, but no information is provided about the current status of these activities. The first businesses (bakery, grocery store, haberdashery, mill) formed the backbone of the local economy, and today, highway and railway connections support the continuation of trade.

Tourism Potential

Nurdağı has tourism potential with its natural and historical riches:

• Nurdağı Castle: Located in Kuru Dere Neighborhood, covering an area of 30 thousand square meters, the castle, whose construction date and identity are unknown, was equipped with social facilities in 2005.
• Hz. Ukkaşe Tomb: A pilgrimage site in Durmuşlar village, accessible by asphalt roads. It is important for religious tourism.
• Natural Beauties: The Amanos Mountains, Kartal Yücesi Hill, and forested areas are attractive for nature tourism.
• Historical Heritage: The Silk Road and Late Hittite remains offer archaeological tourism potential.

Demographic Structure

Nurdağı's population has shown a steady increase since its establishment. After becoming a municipality in 1976, the population reached 4,171 in 1980, 5,800 in 1985, 7,048 in 1990, 10,227 in 1997, and 10,800 in 2000. Although the first settlers were families from Kurudere, the population diversified with railway and mine workers. Upon gaining district status in 1990, it received migration from surrounding villages, and today it has a population profile parallel to Gaziantep's general demographic structure. Nurdağı is one of Gaziantep's notable districts with its strategic location, historical past, and natural beauties. The district, with its potential for development through agriculture, trade, and tourism, contributes to the region's cultural and economic fabric.