TurkishALANYA’S VEGETATION
In our district where the Mediterranean climate prevails, especially due to its location, we see that all of the trees, fruits and vegetables grown all around the world are grown, albeit through trial and test methods. When we take a look around us, we witness the existence of a vegetation cover, some small and some reaching 25130 m high, in the parks and gardens in front of our houses, in the countryside and in the mountains and plains that form our forests. For example, there are trees containing up to 30 m3 of timber from black pines at heights of up to 35 m. in the hollow and willow regions that are not found anywhere else in our country. Instead of a natural vegetation in the district center, the majority are plants grown by people. Among these are bananas, oranges, various vegetables and fruits, and even coffee, pineapple, avocado, guava, papaya, Chinese plum, various types of dates, mangoes grown in continents and countries such as South America, India, Yemen, Africa. These are frequently encountered plants. As you go up from the seashore to the Taurus Mountains, plants such as olive, carob, myrtle, sandalwood (Koca yemiş mountain strawberry) start to be seen frequently. You can’t get enough of collecting the harmless mushrooms that come out with the first rains and the sun that comes after. As you go higher, red pine and oak trees generally stand out at an altitude of 700 m. After this altitude, endless black pine and cedar forests that constitute a great source of life for us are seen. Our district, which has a surface area of approximately 1600 km2, is considered one of the richest regions of our country with a rate of up to 60% in terms of vegetation. Artificial regeneration works are carried out by the Forest Management Directorate staff in the previously determined cutting areas in an area of approximately 400/500 hectares every year. These continue every year as per the ten-year plans made in advance. The Forest Management Directorate, which started to provide service in our district in 1943, contributes billions of liras to the state budget by providing two or three times more profit than the expenses it makes for issues such as cutting forest roads and afforestation. Medicinal plants that grow at various altitudes and provide a source of healing for people are also a source of income for the local people. Among these, sage and thyme, which are found at altitudes ranging from 300/500 meters to 2000/2500 meters, have an important place. In addition to these medicinal plants, which are usually snatched up by local and foreign tourists in the summer months, mastic tree (çööre), myrtle (murt), rosary tree (günnük), chaste tree, oleander, laurel (tehni), camel thorn, shepherd’s twig, sage grass, wild strawberry, hawthorn and zingits are also ornaments of our forests. It is known by everyone that almost all of the vegetables and fruits grown in the world are grown in Alanya due to the characteristics of its climate. In fact, the people of Alanya were not affected much during the First World War, the War of Independence and the Second World War. One of the most important characteristics of Alanya and its region is that the seeds thrown into the soil immediately sprout and turn into fruits. Since the millet seeds thrown into the soil, especially in rural areas during the mobilization years, developed and harvested in the shortest time, they were used for various purposes and put on our tables. It is known that various types of figs growing in our vineyards and gardens, and even wild grapes, wild strawberries, acorns, and carobs that can be seen here and there in our forests, provide great benefits in this period of scarcity and deprivation. We should not forget that it is a great civic duty to take care of and protect our forests, which serve all humanity with their trees and game animals growing in them, various medicinal plants, clean air, being a good shelter during wartime, preventing landslides, and most importantly, saving us from drought and providing rain. Trees are necessary from cradle to grave. I think it would be useful not to forget the wise sayings such as “A sporty body beautifies the forest homeland, What can a human being find in a forest?”
LAND STRUCTURE OF ALANYA
As we mentioned in its geographical location, our district is established on a very undulating land. With its 1600 km2 surface area, it does not have a plain large enough to be called a plain. There are fertile and precious lands on the east and west of the coastal area that will make Alanya and the people of Alanya happy. Land is superior to everything in Alanya and more expensive than everything else. In fact, those who want to have a private cemetery spend money as if they were home plots and buy private family cemeteries. The reason for this feature is that when the suitability of the climate conditions and the fertility of the soil are combined, crops can be obtained two or three times a year. As we mentioned in the vegetation section, what doesn’t grow in these fertile lands of ours? As they say, if you plant a dead body, it will come to life, whatever you plant will immediately turn green.