Nusaybin, located in Türkiye's Mardin province, is one of the most important ancient settlements in Upper Mesopotamia. Situated on the E-90 Silk Road, at the zero point of the Syrian border, the district is located north of the Mesopotamian basin between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. With a history spanning six thousand five hundred years, Nusaybin has historically been a crossroads of commercial and cultural networks, and was considered the most important social, political, economic, and cultural center of the region until the 11th century. Nusaybin, located in the region called the "Fertile Crescent," is an important archaeological area where Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Ancient Age, and Medieval cultures developed. According to 2013 data, the district's population is 115,380, with 49.75% male (57,403) and 50.25% female (57,977). Nusaybin has a total of four municipal administrations, including one central district, in the towns of Akarsu, Duruca, and Girmeli.

History

Nusaybin, whose oldest known name is Nisibis, is an ancient settlement with a deep-rooted history. The region, which was the homeland of the Hurrians in 3000 BC, came under the rule of the Mitanni Kingdom in the 14th century BC. The remains on the southern foothills of Gırnavaz Mound, 4 km north of Nusaybin, prove that this was the center of the Mitanni Kingdom. Surface surveys conducted in 1980 show that Gırnavaz was continuously inhabited from the late 4th millennium BC (Late Uruk Period) until the 7th century BC (Neo-Assyrian Period). The culture layers identified at the mound belong respectively to the Late Uruk, Early Dynastic, Old Assyrian, Middle and Neo-Assyrian periods. A cult vase belonging to Hurrian artists, in particular, confirms that this was an important Hurrian-Mitanni center.

Throughout history, the region was dominated by Arameans, Assyrians (13th century BC), Medes, Babylonians, Persians, and Macedonians in 331 BC. After Alexander's death, Nusaybin came under the rule of the Seleucids and Tigranes, and frequently changed hands with the Sasanids during the Roman period. In the 5th century AD, the district became the religious center of the Nestorians, was subjected to Arab raids, and became a scene of Byzantine-Arab conflicts. After the Hamdani, Mervani, Seljuk, Artuklu, and Ayyubid administrations, in the 13th century, the Mongols, Qara Qoyunlu, Aq Qoyunlu, and Safavids dominated the region. Finally, in 1517, it was incorporated into Ottoman territory during Yavuz Sultan Selim's Egyptian Campaign.

The first name of Nusaybin, which was called “Nırbo” by the Sumerians, “Aramis” by the Babylonians, “Nabila” or “Nas-u-bina” by the Hurri-Mitannians, “Nabula” or “Naşibina” by the Assyrians, and “Mygdonia” by Strabo, is unknown. During the Roman and Early Byzantine periods, the district held an important position and was a strategic center at the intersection of trade routes.

Geographical Structure

Nusaybin is located in Upper Mesopotamia, south of the Tur Abdin Mountains, near the Cezire plain. Tur Abdin is a 200 km long mountain range that emerged during the III Geological Era with the formation of the Taurus Folds. The mountains, which generally have a limestone layered structure, contain ash-colored or yellow marly limestones, as well as red and pink limestones from the Paleocene period. While the average elevation of the Çağ Çağ Valley is 500 meters, the peaks of Tur Abdin reach 1000-1100 meters. The Çağ Stream, which irrigates the district, contributes to the fertility of the plain. Gırnavaz Mound and Çağ Çağ Valley are important elements that complete Nusaybin's geographical and archaeological richness.

Climate and Vegetation

Nusaybin's climate reflects the general characteristics of Mesopotamia and has a structure suitable for agriculture. Çağ Çağ Valley stands out with its fertile gardens. In the valley, fruit varieties such as grape varieties like Şarpıze, Verdani, Çurık, Dêvani, Caniyê, Devrovi such as; fig varieties like Kulhırmi, Zerê Bırahimki, Sor-i Sosini, Şinek, Payızi, Rızki, as well as pomegranate, peach, apple, nectarine, apricot, almond, and plum grow. Additionally, cotton and grain farming also enrich the region's vegetation. Nusaybin, famous for its vineyards throughout history, maintains this characteristic today.

Social Structure

As Nusaybin has been a meeting point for different civilizations throughout history, it possesses a rich cultural and religious heritage. The Mor Yakup Monastery (AD 419) and the Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex (12th century) are important examples of the district's religious and social structure. The Mor Yakup Monastery served as a center for Nestorian Christians, as a metropolitan see in the 8th century, and as the patriarchal seat for the Turabdin region between 1364-1839. The Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex houses the tombs of Zeynel Abidin and Sitti Zeynep, 13th-generation descendants of Prophet Muhammad, and is considered sacred in the Islamic world. Today, the madrasah rooms of the complex are used as a Girls' Quran Course. Syriac, Arab, and Kurdish communities have coexisted in the district, which reveals the multicultural character of its social structure.

Economic Structure

Nusaybin's economy is based on agriculture, trade, and underground resources. Cotton and grain farming hold an important place in the plain irrigated by the Çağ Stream. In the Çağ Çağ Valley, viticulture, fruit production, and timbering are among the sources of income. Its border location with Syria offers the district a rich potential for border trade. Furthermore, the development in oil-producing regions highlights the economic contributions of Nusaybin's underground riches. In ancient times, the strategic importance of the Kaşiyari road transformed the region into a trade center connecting Anatolia and Mesopotamia.

Tourism Potential

Nusaybin possesses significant tourism potential with its historical and natural riches. Structures such as Gırnavas Mound, Mor Yakup Monastery, Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex, Çağ Çağ Valley (declared an archaeological site in 2007), Marin Castle, Dimitros Castle, Mor Evgin Monastery, and Mor Yuhanna Church are attraction centers for tourists. In Çağ Çağ Valley, there are road remnants, rock tombs, castles, and churches dating back to the Roman and Early Byzantine periods. The district's picnic areas and parks (such as 15 July Park, Mitanni Park, Democracy Park) stand out with their natural beauty. In terms of culture and faith tourism, the cultural faith park project, created by combining Mor Yakup Church and Zeynel Abidin Mosque, aims to revitalize tourism.

Demographic Structure

According to 2013 data, Nusaybin's population is 115,380, with a nearly equal gender distribution (49.75% male, 50.25% female). Outside the center, the district includes the towns of Akarsu, Duruca, and Girmeli. Throughout history, Nusaybin, where different ethnic and religious groups have coexisted, exhibits a multicultural demographic structure. Syriac Christians, Muslim Arabs, and Kurds are the main communities that shape the district's population. This diversity enriches Nusaybin's social and cultural fabric.

Nusaybin, known as the birthplace of Mesopotamia, is a settlement that, with its historical, natural, and cultural riches, both builds a bridge from the past to the present and offers significant potential for the future.