Natural environment and human relations around babadağ (Fethiye)

ABSTRACT Babadağ is located in the Fethiye and Seydikemer districts of Muğla province in southwestern Anatolia. It is insoutheast of Fethiye districts and southwest of Seydikemer district. It is the highest mountain of Fethiye with an altisude of 1969 meters. It is one ofthe most convenient places in the world for paragliding. Babadağ in North of Karaçulha and Karaçulha east of Alaçat, Girmeler and Güneşli South of the Mediterraneam, West of the Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy, is located. In North of Babadağ, there are Mendos mountain, Nohutlu hill, Halilbba hill, Yarıştepe hill and Pervane hill. Babadağ is located in the southeast of Aksivri hill, in the southof Akovacık hill, in the West of Geymene mountain, Kurumca mountain, Zeytin mountain, Küllü sarnıç hill and in the Kayaköy. Babadağ is the highest mountain of the Fethiye. It lies in nortwest – southeast direction. The Babadağ mass is a site of very different lithologies and complex structure, consisting of a rather uneven mountain area and a plain unit just behind it. Morphological sections formed as a result of shaping agents and processes affecting the structure on such an area and as a result of their effects rates and duration. In the vicinity of Babadağ, elevation, view, slope and drainage characteristies have resulted in different natural environments. The landforms around Babadağ are the main factors determining the structure of transportation, settlement, population, agriculture and all other social and economic activities. The high altitude reaching almost 2000 meters from the Fethiye plain is the most important feature that limits transportation. This feature is so evident that the bird's flight from the Fethiye is only 2-3 kilometers away and access to the Babadağ is only possible by a 26 kilometer road. Because of high and steep topography, land transportation has not developed at Babadağ, Ölüdeniz, Faralya, Asarcık, Gökben, Esenköy, Gemiler and around the Hisarönü highway transportation is used extensively. The main factor in the regular and improved roads is the high population and the tourism effect. Faralya, Ölüdeniz, Gemiler, Kayaköy, Asarcık the presence of cliff type coastal cliff around the plains, steep and high topography makes the construction costs increase. Very narrow slopes and bends narrow roads Babadağ and close to the surrounding areas makes it difficult to reach. The sloping, narrow and bends of the roads affect the transportation costs. Transportation around the Babadağ is expensive and difficult. Transportation around the Babadağ is expensive and difficult. Due to current elevation and inclination the people in thr region buy vehicles suitable for land structure (old-style motorcycles in villages, old-type high-powered vehicles). People with a good economıc situation prefer to buy new types of off – road vehicles. The stabilizedroad between Babadağ and Dokuzgöl is not used today. There are ancient settlements used in high sections. People no longer live here. Although people do not use these high places today, they have begun to settle down to the plains where there are depressions like pollen bases near them. More cereals are cultivated in these plains. Examples such as the ancicent city of of Sidyma, Gemiler neighborhood Show this. In ancient times, people preffered to use slopes (especially the southern slopes) to benefit from the sunshine and the dangers that could come from the sea. That period people used the plains for agricultural purposes. Nowdays, this situation is completely reversed. Slopes were abondoned and settled on fertile lands. Nowdays Fethiye, Kayaköy and the Hisarönü plains are the places are where people do their homes instead of agricultural areas. This study covers Babadağ massif which is in the borders of Muğla province, Fethiye and Seydikemer county, and the area around it. Babadağ massif which is the study area is one of the important tourism centers. İt is an important tourism sector along with its untouched natural beauties, ecological structure, historical and cultural richness, cilmate conditions and also it is an important area for the country with its economical resources like under ground treasure, fishery and agriculture. Babadağ massif hosts important touristic areas of our country. Especially Ölüdeniz is one of the most beautiful bays on earth and receives thousands of domestic and foreign visitors every year. Ölüdeniz beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Turkey. Babadağ is also one of the most important paragliding centers in the world an known worldwide. Generally Mediterranean climate is effective over Babadağ which has 1969 m of altitude. Because of the affect of the altitude temperature differs from Fethiye