Mersin, which is located in Akdeniz District of Turkey, is surrounded by Mediterranean Sea, Antalya, Karaman, Konya, Niğde, and Adana. North and west sides of Mersin were made rough by Taurus Mountains. In Southwest part there is Taşeli plateau that is one of high places of Turkey. In this plateau, Akçalı Mountains, which are extensions of West Taurus, reach maximum point with hill of Karaçal (2,230 m). Starting from the East of valley of Göksu and being a branch of Taurus Mountains, Bolkar Mountains serve as a natural border by separating the city from İç Anadolu District. The highest hill of these mountains, which is inside the city border, is the hill of Medetsiz (3,584 m). There exist Fındıkpınarı and Gözne plateaus at the slope of Bolkar Mountains that are faced to Mediterranean Sea. At the high places of these mountains there are forests of Turkish pine, cedar, fir, and juniper tree.

Counties are hydrated by the streams of Limonlu, Berdan, Anamur, Göksu, Bakırçay, Sorgun and the brook of Sipahili. There is no lake in city except the lagoons at river deltas. These lagoons are Dipsiz Lake, Akgöl and Paradeniz lagoon lakes.

As for the climate of the city, summers are hot whereas winters are rainy and mild.

The economy of the city is relied on agriculture, stockbreeding, tourism, industry, and trade. Main agricultural products are barley, wheat, cotton, olive, grape, banana, and leguminous. In addition to these, citrus fruits, fruits, and vegetables are also produced. Stockbreeding is done mainly in the pasturages that are located in mountainous and inner parts of the city. Cattle, goat, sheep, poultry, and beekeeping are important. As by products of stockbreeding, milk and milk products, goat hair, and spring wool are also produced. Fishery has been developed recently. Some of fish sea products are exported to the abroad. The port in Mersin is very important when it comes to export-import. Tourism contributes a lot to the economy of the city. There are service areas to rest in Erdemli Çamlığı, Pullu (Anamur), Karabucak, Tarsus Bahçeyeri, Mut Karaekşi, Gümüşkum, Gülnar, and Silifke.

City center is deprived of mine, whereas, there exist ore beds around. Such as, iron, barite, dolomite, and limestone in Silifke; iron and barite in Anamur; iron in Gülnar; and finally limestone in Mut.

History

The history of Mersin goes back to Neolithic Age (8000-5000 BCE).

During archeological studies in Mersin, some settlement that belongs to Prehistoric Ages has been found in Yumuktepe, where is 3 km far from city center in the direction Northeast. One of these excavations is performed by J. Garstang in 1937-1940 and he unearthed continuous layers belong to settlements even to the Neolithic Age.  Later, in 1947-1948 the excavations are continued by Isabella Caneva from University of Rome and a science committee headed by Prof. Dr. Veli Sevin from Faculty of Literature, University of Istanbul.

Between the layers of Yumuktepe tumulus, black and gray colored hand-made crockery and various tools have been found. Usage of stone in the buildings on top of these first settlement layers was a sign of development. Some crockery that has been found had been scratched during wet clay and adorned with a method called "incrustation" by getting filled with a white substance. Besides, one-color dyed monochrome crockery, and some tools that had been made with volcano glass and flint stone have been found. (These objects are presented in Adana Archeological Museum and Mersin Museum). Obsidian (volcanic glass) is raw material of many of these tools. Obsidian was around Erciyes, Hasan, and Melendiz volcanic mountains. In such early ages, the relationship with over-mountain people shows a big progress that improves Anatolian culture.

In Yumuktepe and Gözlükule, foundlings that belong to Chalcolithic Age (4000-3000 BCE) show that copper had been used excessively.

In these excavations, it has been seen that copper melting and mine molding had been performed firstly in Yumuktepe not only during Anatolian history but also World history. Also, existence of grail warehouses whose bases were floored with circular stones indicates that people started to produce more than they consumed.
In Gözlükule, settlement places dated back to 3000-2750 BCE, which belongs to Early Bronze Age, have been found. Here, in Gözlükule, founding of native Acadian and Syrian originated ceramics is a sign of the close relation between east and Gözlükule, as in the case of Yumuktepe. Raise of Hittites, which governed over Anatolian native principalities and kingdoms, is also about these times, towards to the Late Bronze Age.

In the excavations in Yumuktepe, at Layer IX, Hittite weapons of King Mursilis I were found, which had been used in the war of Kizzuwatna. These indicate that the Kingdom of Kizzuwatna, which spreaded over Tarsus, Çukurova, and some parts of Taurus Mountains, was taken over by Hittites in 18th century BCE.

Ancient Zephyrion City was located at the same place where Mersin today is. Strabon, geographer of ancient ages, talked about Zephyrion as a city between Soloi and Mallos. Zephyrion was destroyed by King Saphur in 260 CE. The city was counted as a city of Kilikia, which is connected to Tarsus, bye one of historians of Ancient Ages, Hiorekles. Information about Zephyrion is very little. Foundlings during the excavations around ancient Community Center building (today's center of culture) and Çavuşlu Quarter, khorassan walls, marble columns and heads that have been found during the building of Government House, and lion head that is in Mersin Museum constitute the archeological remnants of Zephyrion City.

The most ancient writings of this area go along with the writings of Luvi, Kizzuwatna, Hittite, Assyrian, and Babylonia. Also, at various points of the area, Aiols and Ions had established settlements and commerce ports.

After Persians' were being defeated by Alexander the Great in 333 BCE, Kilikya entered into the borders of Macedonia. After death of Alexander, the region was owned by one of his commanders, Seleucus Nicator, and so, Mersin became a part of Seleucid Kingdom. During the rule of Antiochus III, Seleucid King, Kilikya reached to a high level at art and urbanization. In the year 190 BCE, Seleucid Kingdom was defeated by Roman Army around Manisa, as a result the region's new owner was Roman Empire. Meanwhile, the region of Mersin was attacked continually by pirates and Isaurials who lived in mountainous areas. In 67 BCE, Roman Commander Pompeius put an end to pirate attacks, whereas, the attacks of Isaurials continued until 491 CE, when they were defeated by Byzantine Army.

During Roman Empire, famous preacher Cicero was assigned as governor of Kilikya. Julius Caesar came to Tarsus and joined Cyprus to the Kilikya. After Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius who took control over east regions met with Cleopatra, the Princess of Egypt. Arrival of Cleopatra to Tarsus and her relationship with Antonius was one of the interesting events of ancient ages. The roads were rebuilt in 137 CE during the Emperor Hadrian, surrounding cities were connected and new architectural structures were constructed. After that, the region was titled as "Cilicia, Isauria et Lycaonia". The economy of Mersin and Kilikya became active during those times and taxes were reduced dramatically.
After spread of Christianity fast over Anatolia, in the time of Byzantine who reigned over the region, monasteries and churches were built. Apostle Paul's being from Tarsus increased the importance of this area. But because the trade shifted to Istanbul, most of the capital and merchants turned their faces there. As a result of this, ports and these areas were no longer as active as they had been before.

Because of quarrels and political inconsistency both internal and external problems started to grow, which weakened central authority, and entrance of Sasanis to Tarsus was not prevented. After that, the region got under the domination of Arabs, Abbasi, Egyption Tulunoğulları, Selçuklular, Mongolians, Haçlılar, Armenians, Memlukians, Ramazanoğulları, and Karamanoğulları.

Area of Mersin was made of a Ottoman property under the rule of Yavuz Sultan Selim.
Later, with rebellion of Kavalalı Mehmet Paşa, Egyption İbrahim Paşa took Mersin and connected it to Egypt. But an agreement that titled "Agreement of Kütahya" was made with Kavalalı Mehmet Paşa in 1833 and the area again became a property of Ottoman.

After the WWI, English and French armies occupied Mersin. Under military occupation of French, various conflicts were seen between native Kuvai Milliye Organization and French army. With the foundation of republic, occupiers left the area on January 3, 1922. In 1931 Icel and Mersin city was joined and Mersin became the center district of Icel city.

Among the historical structures of Mersin, there exist: Anemurion, Aphrodisias (Tisan), Prakana (Uzuncaburç), Eliussa Sebate (Ayaş), Holmoie, Canytelis, Korykos, Kalenderis, Korykos, Nagidos, Seleukeia ad Kalykadnos, Ankhialos, Pompeipolis, Korasion, Zephyrion, Anchiale, Olba (Ura) ancient cities, Yumuktepe, tumulus of Gözlükule, Silifke Zeus Temple, Tarsus Donuk Stone, Iustinianus Bridge, Silifke Stone Bridge, Roman Public Bath, Waterfall of Tarsus and Roman Tombs, Fortress of Anamur (3rd century CE), Gülnar Meydancık Fortress, Fortress of Mut, Fortress of Silifke, Alahan Monastery (5th century CE), Silifke Meryemlik, Basilica of Silifke Hagia Theklia, Silifke Kubbeli Church, Uzuncaburç Church, Tarsus St.Paul Church, St.Paul Well, Gözlü Kule, Ashabı Keyf Cave (Yedi Uyurlar Cave), Kleopatra Door and Roman Road, Silifke Cennet Cehennem Caves, Erdemli Kanlıdivane Ruins, Kırkkaşık Bedesteni, Mut Lal Ağa Mosque, Mut Sivri Tombs, Tarsus Eski Mosque, Tarsus Ulu Mosque, Şahmeran Public bath.

Also, Eucalyptus Forest of Karabucak, Grove of Erdemli, Çamlıyayla Namrun are among natural beauties of the city.

Where does the name come from?

This city is known with the names of Mersin and Icel. Still, the name of the city is Icel whereas the biggest district of the city is Mersin. The name "Mersin" comes from "Mersin Bey" one of Princes of Oğuz Türkmen. Since Mersin was located inside geographically starting from 12th century the city was called "İçel" ("İç" means "inside", and "el" means "hand", so the name is literally "inside hand") Two sides of Göksu river were called Icel. The names Mersin and Icel are Turkish originated. The old name of Icel was Kilikya.

What should I eat in Mersin?

There are foods and desserts that are special to Mersin, the most famous ones are "Tantuni" (as food) and "Cezerye" and "Kerebiç" (as desserts). Also "Kuş gözü", "telatür", "eğe dolması", "bandırma", "yüzük çorbası", "keşkek", "övelemeç", and "batırık" are among the local foods.

*** The highest skyscraper of Turkey was in Mersin. Also after three biggest cities of Turkey, Mersin is the fourth city where you can find State Opera and Ballet.

*** There are about 108 km long natural beaches among Mersin shore. These beaches are preferred because the sand is thin and clean and they are suitable for underwater diving. Kızkalesi, Taşucu, Susanoğlu, Ayaş, Yemişkumu, Çeşmeli, Ören, Balıkova, İskele, Yenikaş, Ovacık, Büyükeceli, and Anamur are among these beaches.

Because of excessive humidity during summer months, people move to various plateaus at Taurus Mountains.

In Mersin

Gözne, Gözne, Ayvagediği, Kızılbağ, Soğucak, Bekiralanı, Fındıkpınarı, Mihrican, Çamlıyayla, Namrun, Sebil

In Tarsus

Gülek

In Erdemli

Sorgun, Güzeloluk, Küçükfındık

In Silifke

Balandız, Gökbelen, Kırobası

In Mut

Sertavul ve Kozlar

In Gülnar

Bardat, Tersakan ve Kozağaç Yaylaları

Are the places where people of Mersin move to, during summer.