Tarsus
Street view of the old town
Street view of the old town
Map showing Tarsus District in Mersin Province
Map showing Tarsus District in Mersin Province
Tarsus is located in Turkey
Tarsus
Tarsus
Location in Turkey
Coordinates: 36°54′59″N 34°53′42″E / 36.9165°N 34.8951°E / 36.9165; 34.8951
CountryTurkey
ProvinceMersin
Government
 • MayorAli Boltaç (CHP)
Area
2,029 km2 (783 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[1]
350,732
 • Density170/km2 (450/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (TRT)
Area code0324
Websitewww.tarsus.bel.tr

Tarsus (/ˈtɑːrsəs/; Hittite: 𒋫𒅈𒊭 Tārša; Greek: Ταρσός Tarsós; Armenian: Տարսոն Tarson; Arabic: طَرسُوس Ṭarsūs) is a municipality and district of Mersin Province, Turkey.[2] Its area is 2,029 km2,[3] and its population is 350,732 (2022).[1] It is a historic city, 20 km (12 miles) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Adana-Mersin metropolitan area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Turkey. Tarsus forms an administrative district in the eastern part of Mersin Province and lies at the heart of the Çukurova region.

With a history going back over 6,000 years, Tarsus has long been an important stop for traders and a focal point of many civilisations. During the Roman Empire, it was the capital of the province of Cilicia. It was the scene of the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and the birthplace of Paul the Apostle.

Tarsus is served by Adana Şakirpaşa Airport and is connected by Turkish State Railways to both Adana and Mersin.

  1. ^ a b "Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports" (XLS). TÜİK. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  2. ^ Büyükşehir İlçe Belediyesi, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^ "İl ve İlçe Yüz ölçümleri". General Directorate of Mapping. Retrieved 12 July 2023.