Human and economic geography of Kilis province

Human and economic characteristics of Kilis, which is located in the west part of southeastern Anatolia Region and covers 1412 km2 have been investigated considering its natural conditions. The study area consists of 4 cities, 137 villages and 6 neighborhoods connected to the villages. The physical and human characteristics that shape the area are handled according to principles of causality and distribution. In this context, the tourism, transportation, health and education activities have been axamined and suggestions have been made for the future. Our study area, which has an important history, has been home to many civilizations due to its important agricultural lands, suitable climate conditions, water resourcers and being close to close to mediterreneans and Syria. Besides, Its one of the stopovers of the historical trade road from Anatolia to Aleppo, which makes Kilis more important. The civil war that began in Syria in 2011 has continued to this time and Kilis like all the other provinces on the Syrian border has been affected from this war. In Kilis province which has Syrian refugees as its total population of 85%, the distrubution and effects of the refugees to the work area have been examined and various suggestions have been made regarding the situation of the refugees. In our study area, agriculture and farming are main sources of livehood. If a number of locally sourced problems are solved in these two sectors, production will increase in products such as olives, grapes, pistachios and wheat. After 2000, agriculture based industry has started to develop but it is for behind its real potential. Kilis which has important works in terms of culture and faith tourism, can be an important tourism center withing the scope of GAP with the development of tourism infrostructure and instruction.