Atayurt is a town in Mersin Province, Turkey

Atayurt
Town
Atayurt Location in Turkey
Coordinates: 36°23′N 34°02′E
Country	Turkey
Province	Mersin Province
District	Silifke
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Population  (2012)
• Total	7,154
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	33980
Area code(s)	0324
Licence plate	33

Geography

Atayurt is in the fertile alluvial plain of Silifke district which itself is a part of Mersin Province. The town is on the D 400 highway. The distance to Mersin is 72 km (45 mi) and to Silifke is 10 km (6.2 mi). The coordinates are about 36°23′N 34°02′E. The population is 7154 as of 2012.[1]

History

The rural population density of the vicinity has always been high and there were two villages (Olukbaşı and Esenbel) next to each other. In 1989, the two villages have been merged to form Atayurt town. In 2005, Karadedeli and Sıtmasuyu villages have been merged. The name of the town refers to Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish republic.

Economy

Like other parts of Silifke plain, the main economic activity of Atayurt is agriculture, especially green house and forced crop agriculture. Almost all fruits especially strawberries are produced. Since the sea side is only 5 km (3.1 mi) to town center, the services to summer houses at the sea side also play a part of town economy.

Concerns about blue tunnel project

The Göksu River is very important to the economy of the town. The government is planning to use a part of the river to water Central Anatolia with the Blue Tunnel Project (Turkish: Mavi Tünel) referring to a 17 km (11 mi) tunnel with a capacity of 36 m³/s which will drain water to Bağbaşı in Konya Province. Atayurt residents are afraid that this project may cause a partial drought around Atayurt and decrease agricultural production.[2]

References