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  Turkey / Cities and Towns /
Antalya
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Antalya |
The old harbour of Antalya, now mainly for recreation.
Central Antalya is very elegant.
Many delightful details of old Antalya.
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City in southwestern Turkey with 600,000 inhabitants (2004 estimate) lying on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of Antalya Province with 1.7 million inhabitants (2004 estimate).
Antalya is the economic centre of its region, housing many small-scale manufacturing enterprises. In the recent decades, tourism has become one of the main sources of revenue; Antalya is today the main tourist resort on the Turkish Riviera, and it is the fastest growing city in Turkey.
The old town of Antalya is fortified with walls from Roman, Byzantine and Seljuq periods, and lies on the summit of a cliff overlooking the harbour. The rebuilt harbour has become the focal point of all social life in Antalya. The main landmark of Antalya is the Saat Kulesi, a Seljuq clock tower, which has been built into a section of the city walls.
History
2nd century BCE: Founded by King Attalus 2 of Phrygia, and named Attaleia.
1207: Captured by the Seljuqs, and becomes an important town in this part of Anatolia.
1391: Captured by the Ottomans, but not effectively incorporated into the empire.
1919: Italy occupies Antalya and its hinterland.
1921: Turkish troops drive the Italians out.
© Copyright 1996-2009 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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