Diyarbakir

Diyarbakır is a city in southeastern Turkey. It is the capital of Diyarbakır Province. The city is located on the Tigris River, approximately 70 miles northeast of Şanlıurfa. Diyarbakır has a long and rich history, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. It has been an important strategic and cultural center throughout various empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.

The most distinctive feature of Diyarbakır is its well-preserved city walls, which are made of black basalt. These walls, dating primarily from the Roman era, are among the longest and oldest continuously inhabited walls in the world and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The citadel within the walls, known as the İçkale, also contains historical structures.

Diyarbakır's cultural heritage is diverse, reflecting its history as a crossroads of civilizations. The city has a significant Kurdish population and is considered a major cultural hub for Kurds. Its cuisine is also noteworthy, with specialties like çiğ köfte and various kebabs. The economy of Diyarbakır has traditionally been based on agriculture, but in recent decades, there has been an increase in industrial and service sectors. The city faces challenges common to the region but remains a vital center of southeastern Anatolia.