Editing Cilicia (section)

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Yemiskumu.jpg|thumb|Yemiskumu Beach ([[Ayaş, Mersin|Ayaş]], Erdemli district of Mersin Province)]]

While the region has a long coastline, international tourism is not at the level of the neighbouring [[Antalya Province]]. There are a small number of hotels between [[Erdemli]] and [[Anamur]] that attracts tourists. Cilicia tourism is mostly cottage tourism serving the Cilicia locals as well as residents of [[Kayseri]], [[Gaziantep]] and surrounding areas. Between [[Silifke]] and [[Mersin]], high-rise and low-rise cottages line the coast, leaving almost no vacant land. The coastline from [[Mersin]] to [[Karataş]] is mostly farmland. This area is zoned for resort tourism and is expected to have a rapid development within the next 20 years. [[Karataş]] and [[Yumurtalık]] coasts are home to cottages with a bird conservatory between the two areas. Arsuz is a seaside resort that is mostly frequented by [[Antakya]] and [[İskenderun]] residents.

Plateaus on the Taurus mountains are cooler escapes for the locals who wants to chill out from hot and humid summers of the lower plains. Gözne and [[Çamlıyayla]] (Namrun) in [[Mersin Province]], Tekir, Bürücek and Kızıldağ in [[Adana Province]], [[Zorkun]] in [[Osmaniye Province]] and Soğukoluk in [[Hatay Province]] are the popular high plain resorts of Cilicia which are often crowded in summer. There are a few hotels and camping sites in the Tekir plateau.

==== Balneary tourism ====
The region is a popular destination for [[thermal springs]]. Hamamat Thermal Spring, located on midway from [[Kırıkhan]] to [[Reyhanlı]], has a very high sulphur ratio, making it the second in the world after a thermal spring in India.<ref name=Kaplıcası>{{cite web |publisher=Kaplıca ve Termal Turizm |url=http://www.termalturizm.info/archives/40 |title=Hatay Hamamat Kaplıcası (Turkish) |access-date=21 February 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021065608/http://www.termalturizm.info/archives/40 |archive-date=21 October 2016}}</ref> It is the largest spa in the region and attracts many [[Syria]]ns due to proximity. Haruniye Thermal Spring is located on the banks of the [[Ceyhan River]] near [[Düziçi]] town and has a serene environment. Thermal springs are a hot spot for people with rheumatism.<ref name=Kaplıcaları>{{cite web |url=http://www.termalturizm.info/archives/44 |title=Haruniye Kaplıcaları (Turkish) |publisher=Kaplıca ve Termal Turizm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806191447/http://www.termalturizm.info/archives/44 |archive-date=6 August 2016 |access-date=21 February 2020}}</ref> Kurttepe, Alihocalı and Ilıca [[mineral springs]], all located in [[Adana Province]], are popular for toxic cleansing. Ottoman Palace Thermal Resort & Spa in [[Antakya]] is one of Turkey's top resorts for revitalization.

==== Religious tourism ====
[[File:Antioch Saint Pierre Church Front.JPG|thumb| [[Church of Saint Peter]] near [[Antakya]].]]

Lying at a crossroads of three major religions, namely [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]], the region is home to numerous landmarks that are important for people of faith. Tarsus is the birthplace of [[Paul the Apostle]], who returned to the city after his conversion. The city was a stronghold of Christians after his death. Ashab-ı Kehf cavern, one of the locations claimed to be the resting place of the legendary [[Seven Sleepers]], holy to Christians and Muslims, is located north of Tarsus.

[[Antakya]] is another destination for the spiritual world, where, according to the New Testament the followers of [[Jesus Christ]] were first called Christians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblehub.com/acts/11-26.htm |title=Acts of the Apostles 11:26}}</ref> the [[Church of Saint Peter]] near [[Antakya]] ([[Antioch]]) is one of [[Christianity]]'s oldest [[Church (building)|churches]].<ref>Clyde E. Fant, Mitchell Glenn Reddish, [https://books.google.com/books?id=248rXe16v9YC A guide to biblical sites in Greece and Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030015745/https://books.google.com/books?id=248rXe16v9YC&source=gbs_navlinks_s |date=30 October 2022 }} (Oxford University Press US, 2003), pg. 149</ref> It is the home of Saint Peter, one of the [[12 apostles]] of Jesus.<ref name=Hatay>{{cite web |url=http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/Genel/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D313E603BF9486D4371DB5239F8263FFA15F |title=Hatay |publisher=Ministry of Culture and Tourism |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023170052/http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/Genel/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D313E603BF9486D4371DB5239F8263FFA15F |archive-date=23 October 2014 |access-date=21 February 2020}}</ref> [[Antioch]] was called "the cradle of [[History of Christianity|Christianity]]" as a result of its longevity and the pivotal role that it played in the emergence of both [[Hellenistic Judaism]] and [[early Christianity]],<ref>"The mixture of Roman, Greek, and Jewish elements admirably adapted Antioch for the great part it played in the early history of Christianity. The city was the cradle of the church." – "Antioch," ''[[Encyclopaedia Biblica]]'', Vol. I, p. 186 (p. 125 of 612 in [https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediabib01cheyuoft online .pdf file]. '''Warning:''' Takes several minutes to download).</ref>