About Gaziantep
Gaziantep is a province in south-central Turkey, and is also the name of the province's capital and largest city (population 853,513 as
of 2000). An important trading center since ancient times, the province is also one of Turkey's major manufacturing zones, and
its agriculture is dominated by the growing of pistachio nuts. In ancient times, first the Hittites and later the Assyrians controlled
the region. It saw much fighting during the Crusades, and Saladin won a key battle there in 1183. After World War I and Ottoman Empire's
disintegration, it was invaded by the forces of the French Third Republic during the Turkish War of Independence. It was returned to
Turkish control after the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, formally ending hostilities between Turkey and the Allies of World War I.
Originally known as Antep, the title gazi (meaning veteran in Turkish) was added to the province's and the provincial capital's name
in 1921, due to its population's extraordinary courage during the Turkish War of Independence.
Kilis Province was formerly part of Gaziantep Province.
Gaziantep Interesting Places
Düllükbaba forest recreation area, Zincirli, Gedikli, Tilmen, Kiriskal and Sakçagözü (Sakçagöze) tumuluses, Dolikhe (Dülük), Kuzeyne, Korus, Belkis and Karkamis (Kargamis) settlement ruins from antiquity Yesemek statutes, Gaziantep, Tilbasar, Rumkale, Karacaören and Ravanda castles, Ömeriye, Boyaci (Kadi Kemaleddin) Eyüpoglu, Esenbek (Ihsan Bey), Ali Nacar (Annacar), Ali Dola (Ala'üd Devle), Tahtali, Aga, Handaliye, Alaybey, Seyh Fethullah, Sirvani (Iki Serefeli), Akcurun, Canbolat Bey, Seyh,Seyhler, Hindioglu and Çalik mosques, Ramazaniye (Ahmed Çelebi) old theological school (medrese), Seker, Pasha, Hisva, Emir Ali, Millet, Kürkçü and Belediye Inns, Zincirli and Kemikli bazaars, Eski, Pasha, Sih, Pazar, Naip, Tabak, Hoca, Hasan Bey and Tuglu baths, Seyh Abdullah Efendi Lodge, Debbaghane, Aynülleben, Yazicik, Babilke and IV. Murad bridges, Gaziantep Museum.
