Mugla is one of the very rare places in the world with its 1114-km long coasts, its sheltered and natural small bays, and

its storax tree (sytrax officinalis) forests stretching down to the shore as if they embrace the blue waves of the sea.

Mugla, which the Fisherman of Halikarnassus called "the lane-d of skies", and Homerus, "the country of eternal blues." is

a land unprecedented with its lakes - the mirrors of Athena, the Goddess of the Moon - and with its high plateaus

embroidered with wild flowers of thousands of colors, looking like a nomad blanket, At the skirts of snowy mountains, with

its white-washed stone and wooden houses of local architecture and with its dark olive shade, Its history dates back

thousands of years, and the traces of the ancient Karia region, reach our day from the historical past.

CLIMATE

The Mediterranean climate prevails in the province of Mugla; summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and precipitative

and these features are generally seen in the coastal areas. In the inner parts, the climate shows the characteristics of the

continental climate.

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION

Mugla is located at the southern point of the western Anatolia, at the place where the Mediterranean and Aegean regions

join; it is surrounded by sea in the west and south. The lands of this province are very rugged in the south-west of

Turkey. The mountains stretching along the north, northeast and east of the province have a formation similar to that of

Taurus Mountains. Mountains cover almost 77% of the surface area and the main ones are: Ak daglar, (3015 m), Golgeli

Mountains (2295 m), Boncuk Mountains (2265 m), Eastern Mentese Mountains (1862 m), Western Mentese Mountains

(1395 m).

CUISINE

With its high variety of CUISINE Mugla and its surrounding areas reflect some of the properties of the Turkish kitchen. In

the provinces people generally prefer those foods cooked with olive oil, natural plants and vegetables; however, nomads

favor the manner of nourishment based on a diet of meat and products of milk, and flour.

Some of the CUISINE and desserts specific to the area are Soup, Cintar (Mushromm) Grill, Stewed leek, Galli eggplant,

Octopus rice (Rice), Keshkekh, Vekil harc, Yalanki, Copur, Cizdirma, Gurlen Kebabi, Meat roasted with honey, Fish with

rice, Benev Heva, Zerde, Sutlu kabak (Pumpkin cooked with milk), Meatballs with grapes etc.

HANDICRAFTS AND SOUVENIRS

Such handicrafts as weaving; copper-work and saddlery are widely carried out in all regions of the province. Milas and

Mentese rugs are well-known all over the world. Copper-work is developed in Kavaklidere county. In other counties, the

following handicrafts have developed: rugs and carpets, saddle bags, sacks, haircolth, horse's girth blankets, prayer-rugs

woven in looms called "Istar", and silken gauze or crepe woven in looms called "doven"; also, crochet-needle works,

"dastar" (head-scarf or headgear) woven with silk and cotton yarns. Earthen water jugs, pits and pans, wooden spoons,

dibek (large wooden mortar) chests, door and window engravings, baskets and matting woven with reeds are produced

by small enterprises and regional people and sold at various shops.

FLORA / VEGETATION

As the lands of Mugla are located in the lowest forest belt, a point where Aegean and Mediterranean Regions join, a

great majority of the mountain areas covering 77% of the Region are covered with forests. Natural Flora of the area

consists of maquis and coniferous trees which are species of Pines (Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris), Junipers (Juniperus),

Cedar (Cedrus libani), Fir tree (Abies cillicica), Oak (Quercus calli prinus), Sigla (Liquidam barorientalis), Sandal

(Santalum), (Arbulus andrachne), Phillyreal, Daphne (Laurus nobilis), Turpentine tree (Pistacia sp), Carob (Caratonia

siligual), Poplar (Salix sp), and Cypress (Cupressus sp). The rural areas of the province are rich in Sub-forest and plant

coverage. The Sub-forest is covered with Ivy (Convolvulus), Black berries (Rubus arcticus), and such plants as Trefoil

(Leguminosae), Thistle (Cirsium), Matherwort (Verbascum 1), Thyme (Thymus), Sage (Salvial), Mint (Mentha), Puslane

(Portulacaceae) Stinging nettle (Urtica), Cress (Cruciferae), and flowery plants such as Narcissus (Narcissus), Hyacinth

(Hyacinthus), Capsella bursa pastoris, Goat's thorn (Astragalus), Daisy (Chrysantemium), Tulip (Tulippaanemnona),

Poppy (Papaverrhes) and many wild flowers and mountain meadows in the high grounds.

TRANSPORTATION

Mugla may be reached by highway, Maritime Lines and airlines (Dalaman Airport); With yachts and motorboats,

passengers are transported to and from Aegean islands.