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Mersin

Coordinates: E°′N °00′E

Mersin:Flag of Turkey.svgMersin, Turkey
Map
Mersin:Location in Turkey

Location in Turkey
Overview
Province Mersin
Total Population 1,651,400 NA (2000)
Area 15,853 km²
Population density 104 inh./km²
Elevation 100 m
Coordinates E°′ N °00′ E
Postal code 33xxx
Area code (0090)+ 324
Licence plate code 33
Mayor Macit Özcan (CHP)
Website http://goturkey.kultur.gov.tr


Mersin (Greek: Μερσίνη) is the capital city of Mersin province in Turkey (named İçel province until 2002). It is located in the South Anatolia Region, to the south of the country, south of the Taurus Mountains, by the Mediterranean coast. It had a population of 537,842 according to the 2000 census.


Contents

History

Since Mersin has always been a port city through history, the area was inhabited since 7th millennium BC. The hill of Yümüktepe has been excavated by John Garstang and 23 levels of occupation have been revealed, the earliest dating from ca. 6300 BC. A fortification was put up around 4500 BC, but the site appears to have been abandoned between 3200 BC and 1200 BC. Afterward the city was part of many states and civilizations such as Hittites, Assyrians, Greeks under Alexander the Great, Seleucids, Lagids, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Egyptian Tulunids, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, Crusaders, Armenians, Mamluks, Anatolian beyliks, and finally Ottomans. Apart from its natural harbor and its strategic position along the trade routes of southern Anatolia, the city profited by production of and trade in molybdenum (white lead), drawn from the neighbouring mines of Coreyra. Ancient sources attributed the best molybdenum to the city. It also minted its own coins.

The city is mentioned by numerous ancient authors. During the Ancient Greek period, the city bore the name Zephyrion. The geographer Strabo, from Amasya in Pontus, referred to the region as Cilicia which was divided into "Rugged Cilicia" (Cilicia Trachea) and "Flat Cilicia" (Cilicia Pedias). As both Cilicias' capital was Tarsus to which the Cilician Gates opened to, Mersin was the major port of the region being close to Tarsus. When Constantinople became the trade center, investments and tradesmen also shifted there, causing Mersin to lose its shine. The city, whose name was Latinized to Zephyrium, was renamed Hadrianopolis for emperor Hadrian.

The city was Christianized early; and was the see of a bishop. Le Quien (Oriens Christ., II, 883) names four bishops of Zephyrium: Aerius, present at the Council of Constantinople in 381; Zenobius, a Nestorian, at the Second Council of Constantinople in 432-434; Hypatius, present at the Council of Chalcedon in 451; and Peter, at the Council in Trullo in 692. The city remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church, Zephyriensis; the see has been vacant since 1966. [1]

During the American Civil War, the region became a major supplier of cotton to make up for the high demand due to shortage. Railroads were extended to Mersin in 1866 from where cotton was exported by sea. The city developed into a major port and trade center later on. Around 1900, the Catholic Encyclopedia reports the city having about 14,000 inhabitants, of whom 3,000 were, by religion, Greeks, 1,000 Armenians, and 650 Roman Catholics; the remaining approximately 10,000 inhabitants were presumably Muslim. The Roman Catholic parish of Mersin was administered by Capuchins; there were also Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition; schools for boys and girls, and hospitals.

The city was conquered by Ottomans in 1473 until 1918 when occupied by French and British troops in accord with the Treaty of Sevrès. It was liberated by the Turkish army in 1920. In 1924, Mersin was made a province, and in 1933, Mersin and İçel provinces were joined to form the (greater Mersin) İçel province.

Economy

Mersin port is the major source of economic livelihood. There are 23 piers in the docks built in a total port area of 786,000 m² (194 acres), with a total capacity of 3,800 ships per year.

Also located adjacent to the port is Mersin Free Zone established in 1986 where warehouses, social services, manufacturing, trade, banking, insurance, packing-repacking, labeling, maintenance, assembly-disassembly, engineering, leasing, renting and exhibition facilities are situated. The zone territory is publicly owned and the zone is a center for foreign investors with proximity to major international markets (Middle East, North Africa, East and West Europe, Russian Federation and Central Asian Republics). The Mersin Free Zone is the first free zone established in Turkey. The trading volume of the free zone was USD 1.6 billion in 2002.

Transportation to the city is possible through alternative methods. The city has highway connections to all provinces, also is connected to the southern railroad hub. Transportation by sea is also possible through the Mersin Port to more than 100 international ports. The international Adana airport is at a distance of 69 km (43 miles).

60% of the male population and 16% of the female population is employed. Unemployment is about 22.7%.

Mersin University

Mersin University was founded in 1992 and started education programs in 1993-1994. The university began with 4 faculties, 1 college, 4 vocational schools and 2 institutes. With its growing inner dynamics, high quality of education and renewing strategy, Mersin University has become one of the best and well-known universities in Turkey.

Mersin University, with its 11 faculties, 6 schools and 9 vocational schools, aims to fulfill the needs and expectations of the society by providing high quality education and training in almost every discipline. Since its foundation Mersin University has always given prime importance to academic quality. The university has been contributing to the growth of the new generation with its distinguished academicians and modern education. The university has had about 10 thousand graduates, has broadened its current academic staff to more than 100 academicians, and enrolls 18.000 students.

Highlights

The ancient Roman town of Soloi-Pompeiopolis is located near Mersin. Another ancient city of Elaiussa Sebaste is 55 km far from Mersin.

Culture

Famous personalities:Karacaoğlan,Fikri Sağlar,Hüseyin Gezer,Suna Tanaltay,Doğan Cüceloğlu,Seyhan Kurt,Musa Eroğlu,Doğan Akça,Celal Soycan,Özdemir İnce,Aziz İnanıcı,Okan Merzeci

Statistics and administration

There are 26 lesser municipalities subordinate to the greater municipality of Mersin (İçel). There are 67 villages and 133 districts. The total population of the city is 733,066 (2000 census). About 50% of the population is younger than 24 years of age. 68% of the population was born in Mersin. The literacy rate is 89%. About 43% of the male population and about 27% of the female population has graduated from middle school. Infant mortality rate is 0.48%. Urban population increase rate is 2.42%. Population density is 414.

See also

References


Mersin:Shows the Location of Mersin province Districts of Mersin Mersin:Flag of Turkey

Mersin | Anamur | Aydıncık |Bozyazı | Çamlıyayla | Erdemli | Gülnar | Mut | Silifke |Tarsus

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Categories


Derived from Catholic Encyclopedia | Districts of Mersin | Ancient mints | Cilicia | Port cities in Turkey | Coastal cities | Ancient Greek sites in Turkey | Ancient Greek cities | Roman sites in Turkey | Titular Sees

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