Information AboutMersin |
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HISTORY Since Mersin has always been a port city through history, the area was inhabited since 7th Millennium BC . The hill of Yümüktepe has been excavated by John Garstang and 23 levels of occupation have been revealed, the earliest dating from ca. 6300 BC . A fortification was put up around 4500 BC , but the site appears to have been abandoned between 3200 BC and 1200 BC . Afterward the city was part of many states and civilizations such as Hittites , Assyrians , Greeks , Macedon ians under Alexander The Great , Seleucid s, Lagids , Romans , Byzantines , Arabs , Egyptian Tulunid s, Seljuk Turks , Mongols , Crusaders , Armenians , Mamluk s, Anatolian Beyliks , and finally Ottomans . Apart from its natural harbor and its strategic position along the trade routes of southern Anatolia , the city profited by production of and trade in Molybdenum (white lead), drawn from the neighbouring mines of Coreyra . Ancient sources attributed the best molybdenum to the city. It also minted its own coins. The city is mentioned by numerous ancient authors. During the Greek period, the city bore the name Zephyrion. The geographer Strabo , from Amasya in Pontus , referred to the region as Cilicia which was divided into "Rugged Cilicia" (''Cilicia Trachea'') and "Flat Cilicia" (''Cilicia Pedias''). As both Cilicias' capital was Tarsus to which the Cilician Gates opened to, Mersin was the major port of the region being close to Tarsus. When Constantinople became the trade center, investments and tradesmen also shifted there, causing Mersin to lose its shine. The city, whose name was Latinized to '''Zephyrium''', was renamed '''Hadrianopolis''' for emperor Hadrian . The city was in 381 ; Zenobius, a Nestorian , at the Second Council Of Constantinople in 432 - 434 ; Hypatius, present at the Council Of Chalcedon in 451 ; and Peter, at the Council In Trullo in 692 . The city remains a Titular See of the Roman Catholic Church , ''Zephyriensis''; the seat has been vacant since 1966 . {Link without Title} During the American Civil War , the region became a major supplier of Cotton to make up for the high demand due to shortage. Railroads were extended to Mersin in 1866 from where cotton was exported by sea. The city developed into a major port and trade center later on. Around 1900, the Catholic Encyclopedia reports the city having about 14,000 inhabitants, of whom 3,000 were, by religion, Greeks , 1,000 Armenians , and 650 Roman Catholic s; the remaining approximately 10,000 inhabitants were presumably Muslim . The Roman Catholic parish of Mersin was administered by Capuchin s; there were also Sisters Of St. Joseph of the Apparition; schools for boys and girls, and hospitals. The city was conquered by Ottomans in 1473 until 1918 when occupied by French and British troops in accord with the Treaty Of Sevrès . It was liberated by the Turkish army in 1920 . In 1924 , Mersin was made a province, and in 1933 , Mersin and İçel provinces were joined to form the (greater Mersin) İçel province. ECONOMY Mersin port is the major source of economic livelihood. There are 23 piers in the Dock s built in a total port area of 786,000 m² (194 acres), with a total capacity of 3,800 ships per year. Also located adjacent to the port is Mersin Free Zone established in 1986 where Warehouse s, social services, manufacturing, trade, banking, insurance, packing-repacking, labeling, maintenance, assembly-disassembly, engineering, leasing, renting and exhibition facilities are situated. The zone territory is publicly owned and the zone is a center for foreign investors with proximity to major international markets ( Middle East , North Africa , East and West Europe , Russian Federation and Central Asia n Republics). The Mersin Free Zone is the first free zone established in Turkey. The trading volume of the free zone was USD 1.6 billion in 2002. Transportation to the city is possible through alternative methods. The city has Highway connections to all provinces, also is connected to the southern railroad hub. Transportation by sea is also possible through the Mersin Port to more than 100 international ports. The international Adana airport is at a distance of 69 km (43 miles). 60% of the male population and 16% of the female population is employed. Unemployment is about 22.7%. HIGHLIGHTS The ancient Roman town of Soloi -Pompeiopolis is located near Mersin. Another ancient city of Elaiussa Sebaste is 55 km far from Mersin. CULTURE
STATISTICS AND ADMINISTRATION There are 26 lesser municipalities subordinate to the greater municipality of Mersin (İçel). There are 67 villages and 133 districts. The total population of the city is 733,066 (2000 census). About 50% of the population is younger than 24 years of age. 68% of the population was born in Mersin. The Literacy Rate is 89%. About 43% of the male population and about 27% of the female population has graduated from middle school. Infant Mortality rate is 0.48%. Urban population increase rate is 2.42%. Population Density is 414. REFERENCES
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