Karayakup, Erdemli
Karayakup is a village in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Karayakup | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Karayakup Location in Turkey | |
| Coordinates: 36°46′N 34°22′E | |
| Country |  Turkey |
| Province | Mersin Province |
| District | Erdemli |
| Elevation | 500 m (1,640 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 759 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 33350 |
| Area code(s) | 0324 |
| Licence plate | 33 |
Geography
Karayakup is a village in Erdemli district of Mersin Province. The village is situated in the peneplane area to the north of Çukurova (Cilicia) plains at 36°46′N 34°22′E. The distance to Erdemli is 23 kilometres (14 mi) and the distance to Mersin is 60 kilometres (37 mi). The population of the village was 650[1] as of 2019.
History
The area around the village was inhabited during the ancient and medieval ages. There are two castle ruins to the south of the village, Gökçam and Fanazlık. The village itself was founded four centuries ago by a Turkmen clan from Karaman. The village was named after the leader of the clan. During the Turkish War of Independence in 1920s, almost all village men were enlisted and a woman named Elif was appointed as the muhtar (village head) of the village to be the first example of female muhtar around. In 1989 a neighbourhood of the village named Sinap was issued from Karayakup.
Economy
The main economic activity is farming. Various vegetables and fruits are produced. Tomato, cucumber, olive and grapes are among the main crops. Sheep breeding and beehiving are other activities.[2]