Hatay Weather Forecasts

About Hatay

Hatay is a province of southern Turkey, situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the west and Syria to the south and east. Until 1938 it was a province of Syria and was known as Iskandarun Province; its annexation to Turkey in that year remained a cause of tension in relations between the two countries until recently, when the Syrian government let go of the issue. Some Syrian maps still show it as Syrian territory. Today, Arabs form the majority in three districts: Samandagi (Suwaidiyyah) (Alawi), Altinözü (Qusair) and Reyhanli (Rihaniyyah) (Sunni).

Its capital is Antakya, formerly Antioch. Alexandretta is also located within the province, but is now known by its Turkish name, Iskenderun. The province has an area of 5,545 km² (2,141 mi²) and a population of 1,253,726 in the 2000 census.

Hatay Interesting Places

Sogukoluk and Yayladagi forest recreation areas Arsuz beaches, Alalah (Tel Açana), Tel Tayinat, Çatalhöyük (Kanula), Harbiye (Dophne), Issos, El-Mina, Arsuz (Rhossos or Rosus), Seleukeia Pieria settlements and city, Antakya (Antiokheia) city walls, Traianus Sukemeri, Heronion, Koz (Kürsat), Payas, Bakras, Sariseki, Salen and Darb-i Sak (Bayezid-i Bistami) castles, St. Petrus Grotto, Cin (genie) Tower, Girls' Palace (Kasr El-Benet), Sokullu Mehmed Pasha complex, Habib Neccar Mosque, Sokullu complex, Hatay Archeology Museum.