View source for Mersin

{{About|the city|the province|Mersin Province|the electoral district|Mersin (electoral district)}}
{{Redirect|Zephyrium}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=November 2020}}
{{MOS|reason=non-encyclopedic language|date=November 2020}}
}}
{{Infobox settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement-->
| settlement_type    = City
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Turkey]]
| timezone           = [[Time in Turkey|TRT]]
| utc_offset         = +3
| map_caption        = Location of Mersin within Türkiye
| official_name      = Mersin
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image|total_width=250px|perrow=1/2/2/2|border=infobox
| image1                          = Mersin-tekneler.jpg
| alt1                            = 
| image2                          = Korykos - Kızkalesi.jpg 
| alt2                            = 
| image3                          = MERSİN YAPRAKLI KOY.jpg
| alt3                            = 
| image4                          = Ancient Soli Pompeipolis.jpg
| alt5                            = 
| image6                          = Sent Antuan Latin Katolik Kilisesi ön cepheden.JPG
| alt6                            = 
| image7                          = MERSİN-9.jpg
| alt7                            = 
}}
| image_caption      = '''Clockwise from top:''' Mersin Skyline, Yapraklı Koy, [[Co-Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua (Mersin)|St. Anthony Latin Catholic Church of Mersin]], [[Yenişehir, Mersin|Yenişehir]], [[Soli (Cilicia)|Soli Pompeiopolis]], [[Kızkalesi (Castle)|Kızkalesi]]
| imagesize          = 270
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Turkey|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Mediterranean Region, Turkey|Mediterranean]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of Turkey|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Mersin Province|Mersin]]
| population_footnotes =<ref name=citypop>{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/turkey/mersin/_/2852__mersin/|title=Mersin|website=citypopulation.de|access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref>
| population_urban   = 1 084 789
| population_total   = 1 954 279 (province)
| population_as_of   = 2024
| elevation_m        = 10
| pushpin_map        = Turkey #Mediterranean#Asia
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_label_position = top
| coordinates        = {{coord|36|48|N|34|38|E|region:TR|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 33XXX
| area_code          = (+90) 324
Metropolitan Municipality
| leader_party       = [[Republican People's Party|CHP]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Vahap Seçer
| blank_info         = 33
| blank_name         = [[Turkish car number plates|Licence&nbsp;plate]]
| website            = [http://www.mersin.gov.tr/ Mersin]
| image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Mersin.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = Emblem of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality
| name               = 
| area_urban_km2     = 1708.6
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| parts_type         = Districts
| parts              = [[Akdeniz, Mersin|Akdeniz]], [[Mezitli]], [[Toroslar]], [[Yenişehir, Mersin|Yenişehir]]
}}
'''Mersin''' ({{IPA|tr|ˈmæɾsin|pron}}) is a large city and port on the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] coast of [[Mediterranean Region, Turkey|southern]] [[Turkey]]. It is the provincial capital of the [[Mersin Province]] (formerly İçel). It is made up of four district [[governorate]]s, each having its own municipality: [[Akdeniz, Mersin|Akdeniz]], [[Mezitli]], [[Toroslar]] and [[Yenişehir, Mersin|Yenişehir]].

Eastward, a larger metropolitan region which will combine Mersin with [[Tarsus, Mersin|Tarsus]] and [[Adana]] (the Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area) is in the making with more than 3.3&nbsp;million inhabitants. [[Çukurova International Airport]] (COV) situated 74 kilometres (46 mi) from Mersin city centre, is its closest international airport. There are ferry services from Mersin to [[Famagusta]] (Mağusa) in [[Northern Cyprus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=SysAdmin |title=Akgünler Denizcilik {{!}} Kıbrıs Gemi Biletleri {{!}} Online Bilet Al |url=https://www.akgunlerdenizcilik.com/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Akgünler Denizcilik {{!}} Kıbrıs Feribot-Kıbrıs Gemi Bileti |language=tr-TR}}</ref> Mersin is linked to Adana via Tarsus by way of [[TCDD Taşımacılık|TCDD]] trains.

== Etymology ==
The city was named after the aromatic plant genus ''[[Myrsine]]'' ({{langx|tr|Mersin}}, {{langx|el|Μυρσίνη}}) in the family [[Primulaceae]], a [[Myrtaceae|myrtle]] that grows in abundance in the area. The 17th-century Ottoman traveler [[Evliya Çelebi]] also recorded in his ''[[Seyahatnâme]]'' that there was a clan named the Mersinoğulları (Sons of Mersin) living in the area.<ref>''İçel: Mersin- Tarsus- Çamlıyayla- Erdemli- Silifke- Aydıncık- Bozyazı- Anamur- Gülnar- Mut'' (Kültür, Turizm ve Tanıtım yayınları, 1992), p. 7.</ref> In the 19th century Mersin was also referred to as Mersina.

== History ==

=== Prehistory ===
This coast has been inhabited since the [[9th millennium BC]]. Excavations by [[John Garstang]] of the hill of [[Yumuktepe]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=YUMUKTEPE HÖYÜĞÜ Toroslar Belediyesi |url=https://toroslar-bld.gov.tr/mekan/128 |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Toroslar Belediyesi}}</ref> have revealed 23 levels of occupation, the earliest dating from ca. 6300 BC. Fortifications were put up around 4500 BC, but the site appears to have been abandoned between 350 BC and 300 BC.

=== Classical era ===

Over the centuries, the city was ruled by many states and civilisations including the [[Hittites]], [[ancient Assyrians|Assyrians]], [[Urartians]], [[Persians]], [[Greeks]], [[Armenians]], [[Seleucid]]s and [[Lagids]]. During the [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] period, the city bore the name '''Zephyrion''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Ζεφύριον<ref>http://www.jannis.tu-berlin.de/City_&_Ruler_Names.html {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070614093439/http://www.jannis.tu-berlin.de/City_&_Ruler_Names.html |date=2007-06-14 }} retrieved June 14, 2007</ref>) and was mentioned by numerous ancient authors. Apart from its natural harbour and strategic position along the trade routes of southern [[Anatolia]], the city profited from trade in [[molybdenum]] (white lead) from the neighbouring mines of Coreyra. Ancient sources attributed the best molybdenum to the city, which also minted its own coins.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
[[File:Mersin_Archaeological_Museum,_2.jpg|thumb|Hellenistic sculpture in [[Mersin Archaeological Museum]]|left]]

The area later became a part of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] province of [[Cilicia]], which had its capital at [[Tarsus (city)|Tarsus]], while nearby Mersin was the major port.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020|reason=Corycus and Ayas were the two ports of Cilicia. Zephyrion was a fishing village.}} The city, whose name was [[Latin language|Latinised]] to '''Zephyrium''', was renamed as '''Hadrianopolis''' in honour of the Roman emperor [[Hadrian]].{{cn|date=January 2024}} After the death of the emperor [[Theodosius I]] in 395 and the subsequent permanent division of the Roman Empire, Mersin fell into what became the [[Byzantine Empire]].{{cn|date=January 2024}}

The city was an [[episcopal see]] under the [[Patriarchate of Antioch]]. [[Le Quien]] names four bishops of Zephyrium:<ref name="Le Quien">{{Oriens Christianus|volume=2|article=Ecclesia Zephyrii|at=cols. 883–884}}</ref> Aerius, present at the [[First Council of Constantinople]] in 381; Zenobius, a [[Nestorianism|Nestorian]], the writer of a letter protesting the removal of Bishop Meletius of [[Mopsuestia]] by Patriarch [[John I of Antioch|John of Antioch]] (429–441); Hypatius, present at the [[Council of Chalcedon]] in 451; and Peter, present at the [[Council in Trullo]] in 692. The bishopric is included in the [[Catholic Church]]'s list of [[titular see]]s, but since the [[Second Vatican Council]] no new [[titular bishop]] of this Eastern see has been appointed.<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 1012</ref>

=== Medieval period ===
Cilicia was conquered by the [[Arabs]] in the early 7th century, by which time it appears Mersin was a deserted site. The Arabs were followed by the Egyptian [[Tulunids]], then by the [[Byzantine]]s between 965 and c.1080 and then by the [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia]]. Under [[Armenian Cilicia]], the region of Mersin served as the powerbase for the [[House of Lampron]]. From 1362 to 1513 the region was captured and governed by the [[Ramadanid Emirate]], first as a protectorate of the [[Mamluk Sultanate]], then as an independent state for roughly a century and then as a protectorate of the [[Ottoman Empire]] from 1513 until 1518 when it was annexed into the [[Ottoman Empire]] and turned into an imperial province.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

=== Ottoman Empire ===
{{Main|Vilayet of Adana}}
[[File:Mersin_Archaeological_Museum,_1.jpg|thumb|From [[Mersin Archaeological Museum]]]] 
{{Expand section|the city's history between 16th and 19th century|date=November 2020}}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, and the city developed into a major trade centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mersin (İçel) |url=http://www.cometoturkey.com/mersin.html |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.cometoturkey.com}}</ref> In 1909, Mersin's port hosted 645 [[steamship]]s and 797,433 tons of goods. Before [[World War I]], Mersin exported mainly [[sesame seed]]s, cotton, [[cottonseed]], cakes and cereals, and livestock. Cotton was exported to Europe, grain to Turkey and livestock to [[Egypt]]. Coal was the main import into Mersin at this time. [[Messageries Maritimes]] was the largest shipping line to use the port at Mersin.<ref name=Prothero82>{{cite book|last=Prothero|first=G.W.|title=Anatolia|year=1920|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|location=London|url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11766/view/1/82/}}</ref>

In 1918, the [[Ottoman Empire]] collapsed and Mersin was occupied by French and British troops in accordance with the [[Treaty of Sèvres]]. It was recovered by the [[Turkish Army]] in 1921 at the end of the [[Franco-Turkish War]]. In 1924, Mersin was made a province, and in 1933 Mersin and İçel provinces were merged to form the (greater Mersin) İçel Province. The capital of the province was Mersin. In 2002 the name of the province was changed to Mersin Province.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mersin.gov.tr/tarih#:~:text=1924%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1nda%20Mersin%20Ad%C4%B1yla%20Vilayet,in%20ismi%20yeniden%20Mersin%20olmu%C5%9Ftur. |title = Tarih}}</ref>

As of 1920, Mersin had five piers at its port, with one privately owned by a railroad company serving Mersin, [[Tarsus, Mersin|Tarsus]], and [[Adana]].<ref name="Prothero81">{{cite book|last=Prothero|first=G.W.|title=Anatolia|year=1920|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|location=London|url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11766/view/1/81/}}</ref>

=== Modern Mersin ===
[[File:MERSİN-20.png|thumb|left|Limonluk neighbourhood]]
Today, Mersin is a large city spreading out along the coast. It has the longest seashore in Turkey as well as in the [[Eastern Mediterranean]].<ref>https://cip.tuik.gov.tr/?il=33</ref>

The Metropolitan Municipality has rescued long stretches of the seafront with walkways, parks and statues, and there are still palm trees on the roadsides.

Since the start of the [[Syrian civil war|Syrian War in 2011]] Mersin has acquired a large population of Syrian refugees.

On 6 February 2023 Mersin was shaken by the twin [[2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake|Turkish-Syrian earthquakes]]. Citizens made homeless in cities further to the east also flocked to Mersin in search of shelter. The urban population of the city is 1,084,789 (Mezitli, Yenisehir, Toroslar, Akdeniz), with a metropolitan population of 1,954,279.

== Local attractions ==
There are six museums within the Mersin urban area; [[Mersin Archaeological Museum]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mersin Museum {{!}} Turkish Museums |url=https://turkishmuseums.com/museum/detail/2152-mersin-museum/2152/4 |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Turkish Museum |language=en}}</ref> [[Mersin Atatürk Museum]], [[Mersin Naval Museum]], [[Mersin State Art and Sculpture Museum]], [[Mersin Urban History Museum]], [[Mersin Water Museum]].

In the western suburb of Viranşehir (Ruined City) the remains of the ancient city of [[Soli (Cilicia)|Soli/Pompeiiopolis]] stand close to the sea. Only two colonnades dating from the 2nd or 3rd century are obvious although the outline of the agora and of a mole from the harbour can just about be made out.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Freely |first=John |title=The Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey |publisher=SEV Matbaacılık ve Yayıncılık |year=1998 |isbn=978-975-8176-22-9 |edition=1st |location=Istanbul |pages=215–20 |language=English}}</ref> Mersin lies on the western side of [[Çukurova]], a Turkish economic hub housing [[Port of Mersin|Turkey's largest seaport]]. The city also hosted the [[2013 Mediterranean Games]].

The [[Cennet and Cehennem|Chasms of Heaven and Hell]] are located in the rural region of [[Silifke]], a district in Mersin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SİLİFKE CHASM OF HEAVEN AND HELL |url=https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=CCO01&DistId=CCO |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı |language=tr}}</ref> The chasms are two [[sinkhole]]s that were naturally formed from underground waters melting the layer of limestone above.<ref name=":0" /> The heaven sinkhole has a small monastery located in the corner of the entrance.<ref name=":0" /> The deepest point of the sinkhole is 135 meters deep.<ref name=":0" /> The hell sinkhole is 128 meters deep.<ref name=":0" /> In mythology, there is a story of [[Zeus]] temporarily trapping [[Typhon]] in the sinkhole.<ref name=":0" />

The city has a total of three modern shopping malls, from which the Forum Mersin is the largest one. [[Mersin Marina]] can also be considered a shopping center with over 40 shops, apart from its main function as a [[marina]]. In the old city center you will find further shopping opportunities and bazaar-like shopping areas.

== Geography ==
{{Annotated image|image=Koppen-Geiger_Map_TUR_present_with_provinces.svg|image-width=2500  <!-- choose any width, as you like it. It doesn't matter the factual width of the image-->|image-left=-705   <!-- crop the left part. Be aware of the "-" minus symbol  -->|image-top=-760    <!-- crop the upper part. Be aware of the "-" minus symbol  -->|width=300|height=150       <!-- crop the below part. That will be the height of the image in the article -->|float=right|annotations=<!-- empty or not, this parameter must be included -->|caption=Köppen map of Mersin Province and surrounding regions:<ref>"Present and future Köppen-Geiger climate classification maps at 1-km resolution". Nature Scientific Data. [[Digital object identifier|DOI]]:[https://www.nature.com/articles/sdata2018214 10.1038/sdata.2018.214].</ref>
{{legend-col
|thumb size=wide
|{{legend|#FFFF00|[[hot-summer Mediterranean climate|Csa]]}}
|{{legend|#C6C700|[[warm-summer Mediterranean climate|Csb]]}}
|{{legend|#FF00FE|[[humid continental climate|Dsa]]}}
|{{legend|#C600C7|[[humid continental climate|Dsb]]}}
|{{legend|#963295|[[subarctic climate|Dsc]]}}
}}}}Unlike the mountainous rugged terrain of the whole province Mersin is located at the western edge of the [[Çukurova]] plain. Earthquake risk of the city is relatively low especially compared to other regions of Turkey, but due to its closeness to several other [[Fault (geology)|fault lines]] in Anatolia, the city center, which was built on an [[Alluvium|alluvial deposit]] is considered to be a risk region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-23 |title=Mersin deprem bölgesi mi? Mersin'de deprem risk var mı? Mersin'de fay hattı var mı? |url=https://www.haberler.com/haberler/mersin-deprem-bolgesi-mi-mersin-de-deprem-risk-15653628-haberi/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Haberler |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TÜRKİYE DEPREM RİSK HARİTASI GÜNCEL {{!}} Türkiye'de aktif kaç fay hattı var, hangi illerden fay hattı geçiyor? Marmara, İç Anadolu, Karadeniz, Ege en az ve en... |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/bilgi/galeri-afad-turkiye-deprem-haritasi-fay-hatti-gecen-bolgeler-ve-birinci-ikinci-ve-ucuncu-riskli-iller-42216380/2 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=www.hurriyet.com.tr |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Mersin has a [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Csa'', [[Trewartha climate classification]]: ''Cs''), a type of [[subtropical climate]] with hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters. Mersin has its highest rainfall in winter. The driest months are in summer with hardly any rainfall at all. The highest temperature of Mersin was recorded on 3 September 2020 at 41.5&nbsp;°C (106.7&nbsp;°F), and the lowest was recorded on 6 February 1950 at {{Convert|-6.6|C|F|abbr=on}}.
{{Weather box
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| location = Mersin (1991–2020, extremes 1940–2025)
| Jan record high C = 25.2
| Feb record high C = 26.5
| Mar record high C = 30.8
| Apr record high C = 34.7
| May record high C = 36.0
| Jun record high C = 40.0
| Jul record high C = 38.1
| Aug record high C = 39.8
| Sep record high C = 41.5
| Oct record high C = 37.5
| Nov record high C = 31.0
| Dec record high C = 27.0
| year record high C = 41.5
| Jan high C = 15.2
| Feb high C = 16.2
| Mar high C = 19.0
| Apr high C = 22.2
| May high C = 25.8
| Jun high C = 29.1
| Jul high C = 31.9
| Aug high C = 32.8
| Sep high C = 31.1
| Oct high C = 27.9
| Nov high C = 22.1
| Dec high C = 16.9
| year high C = 24.2
| Jan mean C = 11.0
| Feb mean C = 12.0
| Mar mean C = 14.9
| Apr mean C = 18.2
| May mean C = 22.1
| Jun mean C = 25.8
| Jul mean C = 28.7
| Aug mean C = 29.3
| Sep mean C = 27.0
| Oct mean C = 23.0
| Nov mean C = 17.2
| Dec mean C = 12.6
| year mean C = 20.1
| Jan low C = 7.6
| Feb low C = 8.2
| Mar low C = 10.9
| Apr low C = 14.4
| May low C = 18.6
| Jun low C = 22.6
| Jul low C = 25.8
| Aug low C = 26.3
| Sep low C = 23.2
| Oct low C = 18.6
| Nov low C = 13.0
| Dec low C = 9.1
| year low C = 16.5
| Jan record low C = -6.3
| Feb record low C = -6.6
| Mar record low C = -2.2
| Apr record low C = 0.6
| May record low C = 7.0
| Jun record low C = 12.0
| Jul record low C = 16.1
| Aug record low C = 15.0
| Sep record low C = 11.0
| Oct record low C = 2.7
| Nov record low C = -3.3
| Dec record low C = -3.0
| year record low C = -6.6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 115.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 79.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 56.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 34.6
| May precipitation mm = 26.7
| Jun precipitation mm = 12.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 9.3
| Aug precipitation mm = 7.3
| Sep precipitation mm = 13.4
| Oct precipitation mm = 35.7
| Nov precipitation mm = 80.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 162.7
| year precipitation mm = 632.9
| Jan humidity = 62.5
| Feb humidity = 62.5
| Mar humidity = 63.6
| Apr humidity = 66.7
| May humidity = 69.3
| Jun humidity = 71.2
| Jul humidity = 72.1
| Aug humidity = 69.7
| Sep humidity = 63.2
| Oct humidity = 57.6
| Nov humidity = 56.7
| Dec humidity = 61.9
| year humidity = 
| Jan rain days = 10.07
| Feb rain days = 9.07
| Mar rain days = 7.37
| Apr rain days = 7.27
| May rain days = 6.07
| Jun rain days = 2.70
| Jul rain days = 1.00
| Aug rain days = 1.03
| Sep rain days = 2.13
| Oct rain days = 5.27
| Nov rain days = 6.37
| Dec rain days = 10.83
| year rain days = 69.2
| Jan snow days  =0
| Feb snow days  =0.19
| Mar snow days  =0
| Apr snow days  =0
| May snow days  =0
| Jun snow days  =0
| Jul snow days  =0
| Aug snow days  =0
| Sep snow days  =0
| Oct snow days  =0
| Nov snow days  =0
| Dec snow days  =0.06
| year snow days =
| Jan sun = 148.8
| Feb sun = 158.2
| Mar sun = 209.5
| Apr sun = 229.2
| May sun = 263.2
| Jun sun = 294.7
| Jul sun = 311.7
| Aug sun = 304.6
| Sep sun = 272.2
| Oct sun = 235.1
| Nov sun = 175.2
| Dec sun = 137.9
| year sun = 2736.1
| Jand sun = 4.8
| Febd sun = 5.6
| Mard sun = 6.8
| Aprd sun = 7.7
| Mayd sun = 8.5
| Jund sun = 9.8
| Juld sun = 10.1
| Augd sun = 9.8
| Sepd sun = 9.1
| Octd sun = 7.6
| Novd sun = 5.9
| Decd sun = 4.6
| yeard sun = 7.5
| source 1 = [[Turkish State Meteorological Service]]<ref name ="TSMS">{{cite web
| url = https://www.mgm.gov.tr/veridegerlendirme/il-ve-ilceler-istatistik.aspx?k=H&m=MERSIN
| title = Resmi İstatistikler: İllerimize Ait Mevism Normalleri (1991–2020)
| publisher = Turkish State Meteorological Service
| language = tr
| access-date = 6 July 2021}}</ref>
| date = March 2021
|source 2 = [[NOAA]] (humidity, sun 1991–2020),<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Turkiye/CSV/Mersin_17340.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Mersin
| publisher = [[NCEI|National Centers for Environmental Information]]
| access-date = 2 August 2023}}</ref> Meteomanz(snow days 2008–2023)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=6290&ind=17340&m1=01&y1=2000&m2=07&y2=2024
| title = Mersin – Weather data by months |website = Meteomanz| access-date = 16 July 2024}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
The population of the city was 1,040,507 according to 2022 estimates.<ref name="citypop" /> This figure refers to the urban part of the four districts [[Akdeniz, Mersin|Akdeniz]], [[Mezitli]], [[Toroslar]] and [[Yenişehir, Mersin|Yenişehir]], that had a total population of 1,077,054 at the end of 2022.<ref name=tuik>{{Cite web |title=Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports|url=https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en |access-date=19 September 2023|publisher=[[TÜİK]]|language=en|format=XLS}}</ref> As of a 2021 estimation, the population of the Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area was 3,300,000 inhabitants, making it the 4th most populous area of Turkey.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

=== Religion ===
The [[Mersin Interfaith Cemetery]], in the Yusuf Kılıç district, serves as a cemetery for all religions with graves of [[Muslim]]s, Christians and Jews.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mersin Mezarlığı'nda Hristiyan ve Müslümanlar birlikte dua etti-Mersin Haberleri|url=http://www.zaman.com.tr/gundem_mersin-mezarliginda-hristiyan-ve-muslumanlar-birlikte-dua-etti_2152769.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220907/http://www.zaman.com.tr/gundem_mersin-mezarliginda-hristiyan-ve-muslumanlar-birlikte-dua-etti_2152769.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|access-date=2014-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=GÜNGÖR|first=İZGİ|date=10 March 2008|title=Not only bodies, but prejudices buried in Mersin Cemetery|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=not-only-bodies-but-prejudices-buried-in-mersin-cemetery-2008-03-10|access-date=13 January 2014|work=Hurriyet Daily News}}</ref><gallery>
File:Sent Antuan Latin Katolik Kilisesi ön cepheden.JPG|[[Co-Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua (Mersin)|Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua]]
File:Muğdat Camii.JPG|[[Muğdat Mosque]] in Yenişehir was built in the 1980s
File:MersinCemevi.jpg|[[Cemevi|Mersin Cemevi]], an Alevi place of worship
</gallery>

== Economy and transportation ==
[[File:Mersin_gar_giriş.jpg|thumb|Mersin Train Station]]The [[Port of Mersin]] is an international hub for vessels routed to [[European countries]], with a capacity of 6,000 ships per year.

Next to the port is the [[Mersin Free Zone]], established in 1986 as [[List of free zones of Turkey|the first free zone in Turkey]]. The zone is a publicly owned centre for foreign investors, close to major markets in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Russia and Central Asia. In 2002 the free zone's trading volume was US$51.8&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mersin Free Zone |url=http://www.mtso.org.tr/en/news/mersin-free-zone |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.mtso.org.tr |language=en}}</ref>

Historically, Mersin was a major producer of [[cottonseed]] oil.<ref name="Prothero113">{{cite book|last=Prothero|first=G.W.|url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11766/view/1/113/|title=Anatolia|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|year=1920|location=London|page=113}}</ref> The area around Mersin is renowned for its citrus and cotton production. Additionally, bananas, olives and other assorted fruits are also produced.

Mersin has highway connections to the North, East and West. It is also connected to the Southern railroad. [[Mersin railway station]] in the district of [[Akdeniz, Mersin|Akdeniz]] has been in use since 1886. Opened on 28 February 2015, [[Mersin Bus Terminus]] is the terminus for [[intercity bus]] services, replacing the bus station that had been in the city centre since 1986. A [[Mersin Metro|metro system]] with 11 stations and a length of {{convert|13.4|km|mi}} is scheduled for opening at the end of 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığının İstanbul'daki 7 metro hattı 2023'te tamamlanmış olacak |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/ulastirma-ve-altyapi-bakanliginin-istanbuldaki-7-metro-hatti-2023te-tamamlanmis-olacak/2266032 |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref>

Since August 2024, transport by air is facilitated by the [[Çukurova International Airport]].

Work is underway{{when?|date=August 2024}} to complete the [[Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant]], Turkey's first nuclear power plant, some 80 miles west of Mersin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Akkuyu NPP Construction Project AKKUYU NÜKLEER A.Ş. |url=http://www.akkunpp.com/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.akkunpp.com}}</ref> Environmental groups, such as [[Greenpeace]], have opposed the construction.<ref name="Demonstration against nuclear power in Mersin">[http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=2089 Demonstration against nuclear power in Mersin] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815163926/http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=2089|date=2011-08-15}} Firat News agency</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:Mersin Halkevi.jpg|thumb|[[Mersin Halkevi|Mersin Opera and Ballet House]]]]Mersin is home to a State Opera and ballet, the fourth in Turkey after [[Istanbul]], [[İzmir]] and [[Ankara]]. [[Mersin International Music Festival]] was established in 2001 and takes place every October.

The photography associations Mersin Fotoğraf Derneği (MFD) and Mersin Olba Fotoğraf Derneği (MOF) are amongst the city's most popular and active cultural organisations. Some cultural activities are sponsored by the [[İçel sanat kulübü]] (Art Club of Mersin) and [[Mediterranean Opera and Ballet Club]].

The [[Mersin Citrus Festival]] is a festival organized to promote the citrus produced in Mersin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-27 |title=8. Mersin Narenciye Festivali 12–13 Kasım'da |url=https://www.mersinnarenciyefestivali.com/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=8. Mersin Narenciye Festivali 12–13 Kasım'da |language=tr}}</ref> The festival typically includes folk dancers from different traditions and sculptures constructed from different types of citrus.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2019-05-16 |title=FESTİVALİN AMACI |url=https://www.mersinnarenciyefestivali.com/festivalin-amaci/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=8. Mersin Narenciye Festivali 12–13 Kasım'da |language=tr}}</ref> The first festival was held in 2010. The festival is held annually on a weekend in November.<ref name=":02" />

=== Cuisine ===
Mersin is best known in Turkey for its [[tantuni]], and restaurants serving it can be found all over the country. The provincial cuisine includes specialties such as:
*[[Ciğer kebabı|Ciğer kebap]], (liver on [[Mangal (barbecue)|mangal]]), typically served on [[lavash|lavaş]] with an assortment of [[meze]] at 12 skewers at a time,
*[[Tantuni]], a hot [[lavash|lavaş]] wrap consisting of [[julienning|julienned]] lamb stir-fried on a [[Saj (utensil)|sac]] on a hint of [[cottonseed oil]],
*[[Mumbar (food)|Bumbar]] or mumbar, lamb [[intestines]] filled with a mixture of rice, meat and [[pistachio]]s, that are served either grilled or steamed, famous throughout the [[Levant]] ,
*[[Cezerye]], a [[lokum]]-like delight made of caramelized carrot paste, covered in (sometimes sliced) [[pistachio]]s and often also sprinkled with ground [[coconut]],
*[[Karsambaç]], a variety of [[shaved ice]] served with [[pekmez]] or [[honey]] as toppings,
*[[Kadaif#Kun.C4.81fah.2FK.C3.BCnefe|Künefe]], a wood-oven baked dessert based on a mixture of cheese and pastry; known all throughout the [[Levant]],
*[[Ma'amoul|Kerebiç]], a shortbread filled with pistachio paste, also famous throughout the [[Levant]],
*[[Şalgam|Şalgam suyu]], a beverage made of [[fermentation (food)|fermented]] [[carrot|red carrot]]s, very popular in Southern Turkey.

=== Media ===
;Local TV channels
* [http://kanal33.com.tr/ Kanal 33]
* İçel TV
* Sun RTV
* Güney TV
;Local radio channels
* Radyo Metropol (101.8)
*Tarsus Süper FM (91.1)
* Tempo 94 FM (94.3)
* Örgün FM (94.7)
* Tarsus Star FM (95.5)
* Tarsus Radyo Time (97.7)
* Flaş FM (98.3)
* Mix FM (91.6) (sadece yabancı müzik, 1993-günümüz)
* Kent Radyo (98.5)

== Sports ==
{{Main|Sports venues in Mersin}}
The city was formerly home to [[Mersin İdman Yurdu]], a football club that played in the [[Süper Lig]] as recently as the [[2015–16 Süper Lig|2015–16 season]]. The [[Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi S.K.|men's basketball team]] of the Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi S.K. plays in the [[Turkish Basketball League]] while its [[Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi (women's basketball)|women's basketball team]] plays in the [[Turkish Women's Basketball League]].

The city has one football stadium, [[Mersin Arena]], with a seating capacity of 25,534. There was another stadium, [[Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium]], which had a capacity of 10,128 and is now demolished and turned into a park. The men's and women's basketball teams of the Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi S.K. play their home matches at the [[Edip Buran Sport Hall]], which has a seating capacity of 2,700.

Eleven new sports venues were built for Mersin to host the [[2013 Mediterranean Games]]. The [[Servet Tazegül Arena]], the fourth biggest indoor arena of Turkey with its 7,500 seating capacity, hosted the men's basketball events and the volleyball finals of the Games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mersin2013.gov.tr/detay/7481/Mersin-Tesisleri-ile-Fark-Yaratacak- |publisher=Mersin 2013 XVII Akdeniz Oyunları |title=Mersin, Tesisleri ile Fark Yaratacak... |language=tr |access-date=2013-05-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507065909/http://www.mersin2013.gov.tr/detay/7481/Mersin-Tesisleri-ile-Fark-Yaratacak- |archive-date=2013-05-07 }}</ref> The [[athletics (sport)|athletics]] and [[paralympic athletics]] events were held at the [[Nevin Yanıt Athletics Complex]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mersin2013.gov.tr/detay/6892/Nevin-Yanit-Atletizm-Kompleksi |publisher=2013 Mersin XVII Akdeniz Oyunlatı |title=Nevin Yanıt Atletizm Kompleksi |language=tr |access-date=2013-05-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512102735/http://www.mersin2013.gov.tr/detay/6892/Nevin-Yanit-Atletizm-Kompleksi |archive-date=2013-05-12 }}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Mersin Gymnastics Hall, Turkey.JPG|[[Mersin Gymnastics Hall]]
File:Mersin Olympic Swimming Pool, Turkey.jpg|[[Mersin Olympic Swimming Pool]]
File:Mersin_Olympic_Stadium.JPG|[[Mersin Arena]]
File:Sportshall in Mersin, Turkey.JPG|Sporthall in Mersin
</gallery>

== Universities ==
[[File:Yurtkur_Taşucu_Kız_Öğrenci_Yurdu.JPG|thumb|Mersin University Dorms]]
[[Mersin University]] was founded in 1992 and started teaching in 1993–1994, with eleven faculties, six schools and nine vocational schools. The university has had about 10,000 graduates, has broadened its current academic staff to more than 2,100 academicians. 

[[Toros University]] is a non-profit private foundation established in Mersin in 2009.

[[Çağ University]]

[[Tarsus University]]

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
Mersin is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Kardeş Şehirlerimiz|url=https://www.mersin.bel.tr/kardes-sehirlerimiz|website=mersin.bel.tr|publisher=Mersin|language=tr|access-date=2020-01-19|archive-date=2020-02-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229063711/http://www.mersin.bel.tr/kardes-sehirlerimiz|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Durban]], South Africa
*{{flagicon|TRNC}} [[Gazi Mağusa]], Northern Cyprus <ref group=note>Gazi Mağusa, also known as Famagusta is ''[[de jure]]'' a part of [[Republic of Cyprus]], but the city is ''de facto'' administrated by the self declared [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] since the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]]. The twinning is between Northern Cypriot and Turkish administration.</ref>
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Kherson]], Ukraine
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Klaipėda]], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kushimoto, Wakayama|Kushimoto]], Japan, where there is a [[Kushimoto Turkish Memorial and Museum|Turkish Memorial and Museum]] in commemoration of the 1890-sunken [[Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul|Ottoman frigate ''Ertuğrul'']]. A street in Mersin is named after the Japanese town.
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Nizhnekamsk]], Russia
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Oberhausen]], Germany
*{{flagicon|MNG}} [[Ölgii (city)|Ölgii]], Mongolia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Ufa]], Russia
*{{flagicon|CHL}} [[Valparaíso]], Chile
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]], United States
{{div col end}}{{Notelist|group=note}}

== Notable people ==
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Nevin Yanıt]] – athlete
* [[Mustafa Üstündağ (actor)|Mustafa Üstündağ]] – actor
* [[Erman Toroğlu]] – footballer
* [[Haldun Dormen]] – theatre & film actor and director
* [[Musa Eroğlu]] – [[Turkish folk music]] artist, [[folk poetry]], composer, musician
* [[Bergen (singer)|Bergen]] – [[Turkish people|Turkish]] [[Arabesque (Turkish music)|Arabesque]] singer
* [[Mehmet Emin Karamehmet]] – businessman and [[Organizational founder|founder]] of [[Çukurova Holding]]
* [[Ahmet Mete Işıkara]] – scientist
* [[Müfide İlhan]] – first woman mayor in Turkey in the 1950s
* [[Gencay Kasapçı]] – painter
* [[Özgecan Aslan]] – [[Mersin University]] Psychology student
* [[Konca Kuriş]] – [[Islamism|Islamic]] [[feminist]] writer, journalist and activist
* [[:tr:Metin Özülkü|Metin Özülkü]] – musician, singer-songwriter, composer and arranger
* [[Ahmet Kireççi]] (aka Mersinli Ahmet) – Olympic medalist wrestler
* [[Nevit Kodallı]] – composer
* [[Seyhan Kurt]] – poet, writer, sociologist
* [[Cemal Mersinli]] – a pasha of the Ottoman Empire
* [[Olga Nakkas]] – film director
* [[İpek Ongun]] – writer
* [[Macit Özcan]] – former mayor
* [[Suna Tanaltay]] – writer and psychologist.
* [[:tr:Eda Özülkü|Eda Özülkü]] – [[Turkish people|Turkish]] pop musician
* [[Atıf Yılmaz]] – film director and producer
* [[Mabel Matiz]] – [[Turkish music|Turkish pop musician]]
* [[Tuğba Şenoğlu]] – volleyball player
* [[Emre Demir]] – footballer
* [[Manuş Baba]] – [[Pop folk]] musician
}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Turkey}}
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Mersin Martyrs' Memorial]]
* [[Gözne]]
* [[Soli, Cilicia]]
* [[Kazanlı]]
* [[List of mayors of Mersin]]
* [[Attorney General of Mersin]]
* [[Atatürk Monument (Mersin)]]
* [[Gulf of Mersin]]
* [[Dikilitaş, Mersin]]
* [[Mersin Feneri]]
* [[Atatürk Parkı]]
* [[Tırmıl]]
* [[Mersin Citrus Festival]]
* [[Radyo Çukurova]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* Blue Guide, Turkey, The Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts ({{ISBN|978-0-393-30489-3}}), pp.&nbsp;556–557.
* Blood-Dark Track: A Family History (Granta Books) by [[Joseph O'Neill (born 1964)|Joseph O'Neill]], contains a detailed and evocative history of the city, viewed from the perspective of a Christian Syrian family long resident in Mersin.
* [[Richard Talbert]], [[Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World]], ({{ISBN|978-0-691-03169-9}}), p.&nbsp;66
* {{Catholic|wstitle=Zephyrium}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Mersin}}
{{Wikisource1913CatholicEnc|Zephyrium}}
{{Commons category|Mersin}}
* [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999%2e04%2e0006&query=id%3dzephyrion#id,zephyrion Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15757a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia "Zephyrium"]
{{Districts of Turkey|provname=Mersin}}
{{Metropolitan centers in Turkey}}
{{Mediterranean Games}}
{{Mersin Province}}
{{Largest cities in Turkey}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mersin| ]]
[[Category:Çukurova]]
[[Category:Populated places in ancient Cilicia]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Turkey]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Turkey]]
[[Category:Cities in Turkey]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Turkey]]
[[Category:Catholic titular sees in Asia|Zephyrium]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Turkey]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mersin Province]]