Erdemli is a municipality and district of Mersin Province, Turkey.[2] Its area is 2,279 km2,[3] and its population is 151,928 (2022).[1] It is 35 km (22 mi) west of the city of Mersin.
Geography
Erdemli is located between the districts of Mezitli (to the east) and Silifke (to the west). In the north, Erdemli is bordered by Karaman Province and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.
The district extends from the Mediterranean coastal plain, the largest agricultural area in Mersin Province, to high in the Taurus Mountains where there is forest, and then a large area (half the land area of the district) is high mountain above the treeline.
Erdemli is a quiet rural district where the people are conservative, and is traditionally a strong base for Turkish nationalism. The local economy is centered around on agriculture. The coastal plain is covered with citrus fruits, bananas, and various fruits and vegetables grown year-round in open fields or in greenhouses. High meadows in the mountains are planted with grain pulses and fruits such as apples, peaches, and cherries. At these altitudes there are also vineyards, olive groves, and fig trees.
This is an attractive forested coastal district, and Erdemli is now attracting investment in infrastructure to develop a tourist industry.
Akkale (in the modern village of Tırtar) - the ruins of a large Byzantine building, possibly a palace, with baths, a water tank and large tank for storing olive oil.
Öküzlü - the foundations of an ancient city, with a basilica, water tanks and monumental stones.
Corycus and Kızkalesi - Findings in the necropolis inform us that the city of Corycus dates back the 4th century BC, in the 1st century they minted coinage here. The nearby castle of KızkalesiGhorgos was built on an island offshore in the 12th century.
Elaiussa Sebaste - founded in the 2nd century, but thrived under the Romans and Byzantines, the site includes a necropolis, theatre and waterworks.
Canytelis - occupied since the 3rd century BC, the site includes rock tombs and a Hellenistic period tower.