The Turkish Riviera (), also known popularly as the Turquoise Coast, is an area of southwest Turkey encompassing the provinces of Antalya, Muğla, Aydın, southern İzmir and western Mersin. The region of Turkey, located along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, is characterized by its climate, coastal geography, mountainous terrain, beaches, and numerous natural and archaeological sites. Extending over approximately of shoreline, it is frequently visited by both domestic and international tourists.
Among the archaeological points of interest are two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.
The coastline is regarded as a cultural trove that provides background on a fascinating mixture of factual and mythological individuals, conflicts and events, and has frequently been referred to in the folklore of various cultures throughout history. As such, it is regarded as the home of scholars, saints, warriors, kings, and heroes, as well as the site of numerous well-known myths. Mark Antony of the Roman Republic is said to have picked the Turkish Riviera as the most beautiful wedding gift for his beloved Cleopatra of Egypt.The Mediterranean Region of Turkey; archived copy at web.archive.org. Saint Nicholas, who later became the basis of the Santa Claus legend, was born in Patara, a small town close to present-day Demre. Herodotus, regarded as the "father of History", was born in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) in c. 484 BC. The volcanic mountains to the west of Antalya, near Dalyan, are believed to have been the inspiration for the mythical Chimera—the fire-breathing monster that Bellerophon slew.
Communities and settlements Many cities, towns and villages in the area are internationally known, such as Alanya, Antalya, Belek, Bodrum, Çeşme, Dalyan, Didim, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kaş, Kemer, Kuşadası, Marmaris, and Side.
Notable places on the Turkish Riviera include:
Akbük Akyaka Alaçatı Alanya Antalya Armutalan Beldibi Belek Beycik Bitez Bodrum Bozburun Çamyuva Çeşme Çıralı Dalaman Dalyan Datça Demre Didim Fethiye Finike Gazipaşa Göcek Gökova Gümüşlük Güzelçamlı Hisarönü Ilıca İçmeler Kalkan Kaş Kekova Kemer Kızkumu Kumluca Kuşadası Konyaaltı Köyceğiz Lara Manavgat Marmaris Milas Muğla Olympos Ortaca Ovacık Ölüdeniz Ören Özdere Patara Selçuk (Ephesus) Selimiye Side Simena Torba Turgutreis Turunç Türkbükü Ulupınar Yalıkavak
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See also French Riviera Italian Riviera Levantine Sea The Blue Voyage Tourism in Turkey Foreign purchases of real estate in Turkey Riviera (disambiguation)
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