Tarsus, Mersin
Tarsus | |
|---|---|
District and municipality | |
Street view of the old town | |
Map showing Tarsus District in Mersin Province | |
| Coordinates: 36°54′59″N 34°53′42″E / 36.9165°N 34.8951°E | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Mersin |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ali Boltaç (CHP) |
Area | 2,029 km2 (783 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | 350,732 |
| • Density | 170/km2 (450/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| Area code | 0324 |
| Website | www |
Tarsus (/ˈtɑːrsəs/; Hittite: 𒋫𒅈𒊭 Tārša; Greek: Ταρσός Tarsós; Armenian: Տարսոն Tarson; Arabic: طَرسُوس Ṭarsūs) is a municipality and district of Mersin Province, Turkey. Its area is 2,029 km2, and its population is 350,732 (2022). 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 was served by Adana Şakirpaşa Airport, replaced in August 2024 by Çukurova International Airport; and is connected by Turkish State Railways to both Adana and Mersin.