Gaziantep

Gaziantep (Greek:Δολίχη} is the capital city of Gaziantep Province in Turkey. With a population of 853,512 as of 2000, it is the largest city in the province. The city was known by the Greeks and Romans as Doliche and by the Arabs and Seljuks as Aintab.

Gaziantep is one of the modern provinces of the region and also one of the oldest of Hittite origin. Being the center of pistachio nut cultivation in Turkey and with its extensive olive groves and vineyards, Gaziantep is one of the important, industrial centres of Turkey.

In the center of the city stands the Gaziantep Fortress and the Ravanda citadel as the reminders of past. The Archaeological Museum, with its important collections from Neolithic and the Hittite ages as well as the Roman and Commagene times, attracts many visitors. The surroundings of the city are also full of valuable Hittite remains. The Suzer House, which has been restored to its original beauty, now houses the Ethnographical Museum. The Yesemek Sculpture Workshop, 30 kilometers south of the town of Islahiye, is one of the world's first of this kind. Some of the other historical remains are the Belkis, and Kargamis Ruins by the town of Nizip. Dulluk, which is close to the city center, has camping facilities in a natural setting.

Gaziantep is famous for its three regional specialties: the copper-ware products, the delicious lahmacun (a kind of pizza) and the sweet pastry baklava.