GAP - State Hydraulic Works... The Southeastern Anatolian Region, with its very rich history and cultural heritage, as shown in its magnificent historical sites, is well worth visiting. Its history begins around 7000 BC came the Hurris, who were to be followed by the Hittites sometime around 1200 BC. In the sacred land which encircles the Firat (Euphrates) and the Dicle (Tigris) rivers, the Grandfather of Religion, Ibrahim (Abraham) the Prophet lived. Ibrahim was born in Ur, now called Sanli Urfa, and later moved south from the city of Ur to Harran, through the south. In Harran, which was an important Mesopotamian historic and cultural center, the ruins of one of the largest and Islamic universities can be seen among the archaeological remains. When you travel from the south to the north over the Mesopotamian plains, the first high mountain to be seen is the picturesque Mount Nemrut, with the Mausoleum of the Commagene King Antiochos at its 2,150-meter peak. The most important areas of the region are Diyarbakir, whose city walls are a super example of medieval military architecture; and Gaziantep, a large trade and industrial center which contains the remains of late Hittite cities. The Atatürk Dam lake is planned to be the region's holiday and water-sports center. There are many beaches along the shore of the lake, and a holiday under the Mesopotamian sun will be a memorable experience. The Southeastern Anatolian Project is Türkiye's largest and most multifaceted development project, and also, one of the largest development projects in the world. The project includes active farming with extensive irrigation systems and electricity production, alongside of which are the tourism, mining, petrol, education, health, communication, industry and transport sectors. The Southeastern Anatolia Project covers the lower parts of the Firat and Dicle rivers; and Gazi Antep, Sanli Urfa, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Siirt, Batman and Sirnak, which are situated on the plains between the rivers. This project will also bring with it a change in climate in the area.The Atatürk Dam and Hydroelectric Plant, the largest in Türkiye and the sixth largest in the world, is situated in the Bozova town of Sanli Urfa. Atatürk Dam, which is the major foundation of the Southeastern Anatolia Project, is importantnot only for energy production but also for irrigation. The water obtained from the reservoirs of the Atatürk Dam on the Firat river is going to be carried to the Harran plain by the Sanli Urfa Tunnel System.

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The Sanli Urfa Tunnel System is the largest in the world, in view of its length and flow rate. The waters of the Firat river will pass through tunnels which are 26.4 kilometers in length and 7.62 meters in diameter, and be distributed to the vast cropland on the Southeastern Anatolian plains from central and side channels, bringing a production boom and prosperity to the region. As of late 1994, the tunnel system is opened and the waters of the Firat are flowing to the Harran plain.

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