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'''Adana''' is the fifth largest (14.030 km²) city in ] and the capital of ]. It has a population of 1,271,894 (2006 estimate). '''Adana''' is the fifth largest (14.030 km²) city in ] and the capital of ]. It has a population of 1,271,894 (2006 estimate).

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Shows the location of the Province Adana

Adana is the fifth largest (14.030 km²) city in Turkey and the capital of Adana Province. It has a population of 1,271,894 (2006 estimate).

One of the large towns of Turkey, about nineteen miles from the sea, Adana derives its importance from its situation as the gateway to the Cilician plain (also called the Adana or Çukurova plain), that great flat stretch of fertile land, possibly the most productive in this part of the world, the east side of the Taurus Mountains. In Adana all the houses are flat-topped and the roofs serve as the bedrooms for the inhabitants during the hot summers. Adana was more important for its agriculture while Tarsus was the metropolis of the area. Several types of fruit are native to this area, the apricot being an example.

From Adana, crossing the Cilician plain going west, the road from Tarsus enters the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. With every foot of ascent the coolness increases, reaching an altitude of nearly 4000 feet. Then through the famous Cilician Gates, that rocky pass through which armies have coursed since history's dawn, and the caravan has arrived on the Anatolian plain.

Adana is the marketing and distribution center for an agricultural region in which cotton, wheat, barley, grapes, citrus fruits, olives, and tobacco are produced. The chief industries in the city are textile manufacturing, tanning, and the processing of wool. The city is also famous for its cuisine, namely the Adana kebab and şalgam, a local variety of turnip juice.

History

Overview

It's known that many highly cultured civilizations had lived in Çukurova Region since the ancient ages according to the information that had come to light by the archaeological studies. By the aid of findings, historian believed that the first human came to area in Paleolitic period. Generally speaking, the history of Adana falls behind 3000 years. The city was directly and indirectly subject of many written and unwritten epics and legends. Adana also takes place in a Sumerian epic, Gilgamesh.

Antiquity

Tepebag Tumulus was built in Neolithic Age and is considered as the oldest city of Çukurova Region, in which archeologist found a stone wall and a city center.

Located on the right bank of the Seyhan River in the Cilician plain, Adana was a caravan stop, river crossing, and frontier outpost protecting Asia Minor from incursions from Syria. (Tarsus was closer to the Cilician Gate.)

Its name derives from the 16th century BC Hittite polity Adaniya of Kizzuwatna. In Hellenistic times, it was known as Antiochia in Cilicia (Αντιόχεια της Κιλικίας) or Antiochia ad Sarum (Αντιόχεια η προς Σάρο).

The history of Adana is mixed with that of Tarsus; they seem often to be the same city, moving as the river changed position and the name changing over time. Adana was of little importance in ancient history; Tarsus, Ayas/Issus (today Yumurtalik), and Kozan (formerly Sis) have usually been the major population and administrative centers, especially during the Kingdom of Lesser Armenia.

According to inscription of Kava, which was written by Hittites and found in Hattusas (BogazKoy), Kitvanza Kingdom was the first kingdom ruled Adana, which was under protection of Hittites in 1335(BC). In the inscription of Kava, official name of the city was URU ADANIYYA and inhabitants of the city were called DANUNA. It is believed that the name of the city comes from a legend that Adanus and Sarus, two sons of Uranus, came near Seyhan River, and then they built Adana.

Adana was first settled by the Hittites during the Egyptian eighteenth dynasty. It is the location of Antiochia in Cilicia – also known as Antiochia ad Sarum ("Antiochia on the Sarus") – of Hellenistic foundation in the region then known as Cilicia Campestris.

Falling down of the Hittites approximately in 1191-1189 B.C by the invasions coming from the west many small kingdoms had arisen. Chronologically Kue Kingdom, Assyrians in 9th century (BC), Clinician Kingdom, Persians 6th century (BC), Alexander The Great in 333 BC, Selokonids, and Pirated of Çukurova. Adana was probably founded in 63 BC by the Roman statesman Pompey the Great. For several centuries thereafter it was a way station on a Roman military road leading to the East.

During Pompeus times, the city was used as a prison of Pirates of Çukurova. It can be said that Çukurova and Adana had developed in the Julian times. As with the built grand bridges, roads, government buildings and irrigation plantation Adana and Çukurova had become the most developed and crucial trade center. By the collapse of the Roman Empire the Antiquity had been closed down.

Middle Ages

After the Romans in the middle Ages, Abbasids started to rule Adana in 7th century. According to Arabic historian lived at the same time claimed that the name of the city was derived from EZENE, prophet Yazene’s grandson.

Byzantines ruled the area at the beginning of 10th century after Abbasids lost their power on Adana. After success of Alparslan in Battle of Malazgirit, lots of Turks came to area. Turks called Çukurova to area instead of Cilicia. Seljuks captured the city from Mamluks. Thought peace occured between two kingdoms sometimes, they fought many times to control the city. When Seljuks captured Adana, they brought Karamanids to Çukurova to keep border safe. However, Seljuks dominance on Adana ended by Crusaders, in 1097. Mamluks re-captured the city at the begining of 14th century, and they allowed many Turkmen families. Ramazaoğulları, one of Turkmen families brougt by Mamluks ruled Adana untill Ottoman Empire captured Adana.

New Ages

At the end of New Age era and at the era of Modern Ages ( 1517 – 1918 ) the Ottoman Empire ruled the area.

England, France and Russia that struggled politically with the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century in order to demolish it helped the Egyptian Governor Mehmet Ali Pasha who rebelled against the Ottomans. After a very short time these areas were in the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire. An administrative institution was established and Adana had become a province. As the city had many names, so confusion occured as usuall. Hence, Ottoman Empire prohibited usage of any other names of the city instead of Adana, in 1865.

In 1909 it was the scene of what is termed the Adana massacre, while Turkish scholars and few others refer to the event from a thesis of its underlying causes: Adana rebellion.

After WWI, Ottoman government gave the control of the city to allied forces. During Turkish War of Independence, Adana had very important place. Mustafa Kemal came to city in 31,October 1918 and he stayed eleven days in Adana. As a result of this, he decided to fight aganist alias and the idea of Kuvvay-i Milliye was born, as he said. Turkish nationalist were grouped and fought until February 5, 1921.

Places to visit

File:Mosque adana.jpg
Sabancı Merkez Mosque

Local points of interest include a great stone bridge, built in part during the reign (6th century) of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, and the ruins of a castle dating from 782. Stone Bridge is the oldest bridge in the world, which is still being used.

Büyük Saat, a big clock tower, was built by local governor of Adana in 1882. Ufortunately, ıt was damaged in French occupation peroid. Afterwards, the tower was re-built in 1935. Its silhouette is used as symbol of the city.

There is an old Bazaar (Kazancılar Çarşısı) around Büyük Saat. Çarşı Hamamı is a Turkish bath built in 1519, which locates in Kazancılar Çarşısı. Addiditionally, there are old buildings, graves of local governers near Büyük Saat

Bebekli Kilise, (Church of Babies) is an old Catholic church which is located in city center. In the street of the church, there are lots of old houses.

Historical Chronology

Names of the City

  • Adanos
  • Ta Adana
  • Uru Adaniya
  • Erdene
  • Edene
  • Ezene
  • Batana
  • Atana
  • Azana
  • Adana

Buildings and monuments

Historical Sites and Ruins

Festivals

Education

Transportation

Airport

See also

Football Teams

Famous people from Adana

References

  1. Classical Gazetteer, page 37
  2. Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition (1911), sv. Adana; for the Adana massacre, sv. Turkey (vol. 27, p. 464c).
  3. Justin McCarthy, The Population of the Ottoman Armenians, page(65-85)

External links

Template:Districts of Adana

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