Alanya is a touristic district affiliated to Antalya province in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Located in the southern coasts of Turkey, Alanya lies on an area of 1,598.51 km2 and has a population (according to the population census of 2011) of 248.286 (the number is 103.673 in the district center).

With respect to its strategic location, it is shaped like a small peninsula at the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea. Toros Mountains lie in the north of it. Among the symbols of the city today, the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), the shipyard (tersane) and Alanya Tower were built in that period.

Characteristics of the Mediterranean climate are seen in the region. Winters are mild and summers are hot. The region has a share of nine percent in terms of tourism in Turkey, while the share for foreign nationals buying property in Turkey is thirty percent. Tourism started developing particularly after the 1958s and became the most effective line of work in the district, thus leading to an increase in the population of the region. Thanks to its warm climate, the area is suitable for numerous sports activities and cultural events.

The economy of the city is completely dependent on agriculture and tourism. Service sector is well-developed. Almost all the services and the produced goods are consumed by the touristic hotels in the vicinity.

Alanya holds a significant share in the country’s tourism. With the tourism boost that started in 1980s, the city has taken its current form. A wide variety and range of touristic facilities, from the ones with 1.000-person capacity to the massive ones with 3.500-person capacity, are now available in the district, where there apart hotels in the first place.

CLIMATE

Alanya has a typical Mediterranean climate. The Mediterranean basin attracts too much rainfall in winter season and summers are longer, hotter and less rainy than winters. This situation inspired the slogan of “sun is smiling” in the tourism sector. [27] Although not so frequently, rain showers are seen throughout the year in onshore sections. [28] Toros Mountains’ standing close to the sea causes fog and rainbow appears in most mornings. On hot days, high sides of mountains receive snowfall, although not so often. In Alanya district, average annual sea water temperature is 21.4 °C (71 °F), whereas the same temperature is 27.9 °C (82 °F) in August.