From Yasar Kemal to Yılmaz Güney, Adana has been a cradle of cultural icons who have shaped Türkiye’s identity and creativity.

By Nil Güler, PhD

O güzel insanlar o güzel atlara binip gittiler
-Yasar Kemal

Iwill start describing Adana with Yasar Kemal, who is a very well-known writer and human rights activist. He is noted for his command of the Turkish language and description of pastoral Turkish life. He was later nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1973, being the first Turkish novelist ever to become a candidate. Later, in 2006, Orhan Pamuk won the Nobel Prize.
Many individuals from Adana had an impact on Turkish society, like Yılmaz Güney, Tarkan, Orhan Kemal, Sener Sen, and many more. These individuals represent a variety of fields and are recognized not only for their talents but also for their contributions to the culture and identity of Türkiye.
Adana is considered relatively rich, especially in its agricultural production and economic contributions. The city is located in the Çukurova region, one of Türkiye’s most fertile and productive agricultural areas. It is known for its vast fields of cotton, wheat, corn, and citrus fruits. Additionally, Adana is famous for its high-quality agriculture, including its production of delicious fruits and vegetables.
Beyond agriculture, Adana has also seen industry growth, focusing on textiles, manufacturing, and food processing. The region’s rich resources and strategic location make it an economically important area in Türkiye. However, compared to Türkiye’s wealthiest cities like Istanbul or Ankara, Adana might not be as affluent in terms of overall gross domestic product per capita.

Cukurova:
Fertile Land: Çukurova is often considered one of Türkiye’s most important agricultural regions. The area, particularly the Adana Plain, is known for its fertile soil and is suitable for growing various crops.

Major Crops: The region is a major producer of cotton, wheat, corn, citrus fruits (especially oranges), and vegetables. The abundance of water from the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers further contributes to agricultural productivity.
Adana is not only an agricultural city; it has several industries as well.

Food Processing: The abundance of agricultural products supports a significant food processing industry. This includes processing fruits, vegetables, cereals, and meat products. Adana is also known for producing traditional foods such as kebabs (like the famous Adana kebab) and other regional specialties.

Textile Manufacturing: The city produces a wide range of textiles with both domestic and international markets.

Chemical industry: This industry focuses on the production of synthetic fibers, paints, fertilizers, and other chemical products.

Petrochemical plants are based in and around the region, particularly in the Ceyhan district (near Adana), which has an oil pipeline terminal and refineries, contributing significantly to the local economy. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline is very close to Adana.

Agricultural Machinery: The region has cement and concrete industry, with numerous plants producing materials for domestic and international markets.

The Automotive Industry is expanding in Adana, focusing on parts production and assembly. There are numerous suppliers of automotive components, such as tires, batteries, and electrical parts.

Cukurova University: My first visit to Adana was in May for a conference. I admired the beauty of the University on Seyhan Lake; the campus was so green with trees. On the lakeside, there was a yachting club, and on the other side of the river, there were big apartment blocks. I thought it resembled Bosphorus except it was too warm for May. Cukurova university is an outstanding university as part of the top 10 in Türkiye.

Places to visit:
Seyhan River and Seyhan Dam are two critical natural beauties in Adana city center. Seyhan River divides Adana city center into two in the middle. The Seyhan Dam is located in the city center, making it a preferred place for sightseeing, picnics, and sports activities for Adana residents and tourists. What the Bosphorus is to the people of Istanbul, the Seyhan River and the Seyhan Dam are to the people of Adana. Seyhan Dam was put into service in 1956 and is also known as the New Dam because it is the second dam in the city center.

Sabancı Central Mosque
One of the largest mosques in Türkiye, the Sabancı Central Mosque is an architectural marvel with its impressive dome, towering minarets, and elegant design. It is located along the Seyhan River and offers a peaceful atmosphere.

Stone Bridge (Taşköprü)
Built during the Roman era, the Stone Bridge is one of Adana’s oldest and most iconic landmarks. Spanning the Seyhan River, it offers great city views and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

Archaeology Museum
This museum showcases various artifacts from Adana’s ancient history, including items from the Hittite, Roman, and Ottoman periods. It provides insight into the region’s rich archaeological heritage.

Cobbled Streets of the Old City
The old quarter of Adana is filled with narrow, cobblestone streets, historic houses, and lively bazaars. It is a great place to stroll and enjoy the charm of traditional Turkish architecture.

Büyük Saat (Grand Clock Tower)
Located in the city center, this clock tower is a notable landmark of Adana. It was built in the 19th century and offers a great view of the surrounding area from its upper floors.

Ethnography Museum
Housed in a historical building, this museum provides a deep dive into Adana’s culture, traditions, and folk art and surrounding regions, featuring textiles, clothing, and household items from different eras.

Atatürk Park
A popular city park featuring wide green spaces, playgrounds, and a lake. It is a perfect spot for family outings and a great place to enjoy the outdoors in Adana.

Adana Cuisine: Kebab and Local Food
While not a tourist site, tasting Adana’s famous Adana Kebab and other local dishes like Bici Bici (a refreshing dessert) is an essential part of the Adana experience. ■

Nil Guler, PhD, is a graduate of Arnavutkoy American College for Girls (Robert College) and Middle East Technical University in Türkiye where she got her BSc in civil engineering (METU) and her PhD in management from Istanbul University.She has been a visiting scholar to Innsburg Institute fur Informatics, Southampton University and a post doctoral to University of Maryland.  She has over 100 scientific articles and papers. She took part in many international and national conferences as a speaker and an organizer. In 2003, she became full professor. Between 2008 and 2015, she served as the Dean of Maritime Faculty of Istanbul Technical University. She retired as a professor from Istanbul Technical University. She also continued as a professor in Bilgi University after retirement. Currently she is a partner in GT Consultants LLC.