Içel

Another name for Mersin, a city in Turkey.

Içel

Province of southeast Turkey, bordered to the north by Niǧde, to the east by Adana, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, to the west by Antalya, and to the northwest by Karaman and Konya; area 15,853 sq km/6,121 sq mi; population (1990 est) 1,267,000. The capital is Mersin; other major cities are Tarsus and Silifke. The main industries are oil-refining, chemicals, textiles, chrome, and copper; agriculture is based on the cultivation of bananas, olives, lemons, and figs.

The Taurus Mountains run parallel to the coast along the northwest and northern borders of the province. Its northeastern portion is known as the Bolkar Mountains; the highest point being Mount Mededsiz Mountain, which reaches 3,535 m/11,598 ft. The central mass of the main range is the Ortatoroslar; rising to 2,474 m/8,117 ft at Mount Yüǧlük. To the west the mountains are divided by the Göksu River, which crosses the Tazeli Platosu, before entering the Mediterranean near Silifke. The Seyhan River forms part of the border with Adana as it nears the coast.

The province was part of Roman Cilicia.