Southeast Anatolia
The region of Southeastern Anatolia is the remotest Turkish territory. It lies on the border with Syria and Iraq, and is surrounded by the domestic regions of Mediterranean and Eastern Anatolia to the west and north, respectively. Its area is occupied above all by a dry plateau of a semi-desert character, which passes into desert southwards into Syria. The landscape is formed by extensive vineyards, rice fields and peanut plantations. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are the thoroughfares and focal points of life for the entire region. A giant project with dams was built in order to influence the climate in the area. Lovers of sightseeing and cultural entertainment will be delighted by the abundance of heritage sites. The whole region is considered the cradle of human civilization, being a setting for some of the scenes in the Bible. Most cities look back on more than 3,000 years of history and offer fascinating cultural attractions, from Oriental architectural examples to authentic events and festivities. The principal city of Southeastern Anatolia is Diyarbakir, which has enchanting folklore and is the unofficial capital of the Kurdish minority in Turkey.