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Fethiye is a Mediterranean town of unique beauty with its climate,
natural attractions, cultural heritage and fertile soil. As you get better acquainted
with the town and its environs with numerou s bays of various sizes,
the coast line, islands, mountains, ruins of antique cities, interesting cultural
mosaics and warm-hearted people, you will feel yourself transported to another world
of fascinating colours.
Some define Fethiye as an agricultural centre due to its fertile
soil, fruit and vegetable cultivation in hot-houses, production of grains and industrial
plants. Some others name the town as a prospering centre of tourism with accommodation
facilities, beaches, islands and bays. Actually, Fethiye deserves
to be considered as a “place to live” with its 9.000 kinds of flora,
its historical background from antique Lycian period to the
Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, many-collared cultures living in peace and
brotherhood over centuries, the ever-present sun in 300 days of a
year and the fundamental facilities for a modern life-style.
Agriculture is the largest source of income
in the economy of Fethiye as the climatic conditions are ideal
in the region. In green houses and on the farms, tomatoes are the major agricultural
product. Tourism is the second major economical source. Considering the indirect
contribution of this field to other sectors, it is feasible to state that tourism
plays just as important a role as agriculture. The town is abundant with opportunities
for new investments and projects in the fields of popular mass tourism and alternative
eco - tourism activities, which is the major factor in the continuous development
of this sector. Other prominent sources of income in Fethiye, besides
tourism, commerce and agriculture, can be listed as follows: forestry, cattle-raising,
fishing, bee-raising and
mining. The chromium veins around Gocek are considered as the fourth largest reserve
in the world.
Throughout history, Fethiye has been a growing city, enriched by
traces of settlements around this port of call. At present, while projects are drawn
up to protect the historical and cultural heritage, renovation efforts are carried
out, in line with the development of a modern city, in infrastructure, transportation,
education, health and other social services. Fethiye is proud to
have acquired almost all the fundamental facilities of a modern city, continuously
endeavouring to improve and attain even more.
Geography & Climate
The south-western end of the Taurus Mountains covered
by pine trees surrounds Fethiye. The altitude of these mountains
reaches 2.000 meters. Even in summer months, it is possible to see snow on high
hilltops beyond the pine forests. However, the Fethiye Plain and
the settlement are subject to typical Mediterranean climate. In hot summer days
the temperature averages at 30 degrees centigrade. During warm and rather rainy
winter days it is around 12 degrees centigrade. The seawater is never below 17 degrees
centigrade. The average temperature of seawater in summer months is 23 degrees centigrade.
In addition to pine trees, the rich flora along the slopes ranging from thyme to
sage, from citrus fruits to liquidiamber oriantalis / incense
trees add to the beauty of Fethiye... The incense trees covering
approximately an area of 100 hectares also give rise to camping and picnic sites.
The resinous oil of the incense trees is used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products
while the dried barks have served as incense since the Ancient Period.
Oludeniz

The Oludeniz Lagoon and the Belcekiz Beach are known as
“the blue paradise” all over the world due to their natural beauty.
Oludeniz is 14 km. far from the center of Fethiye and has a significant
status in national tourism with its modern and colourful holiday villages, hotels,
boarding houses and camping sites.
Babadag, rising immediately behind Oludeniz is included in
the list of “World Heritage” of UNESCO with its rich flora. Recently
one of the most popular activities is paragliding from babadag to Oludeniz. babadag
is recognized all over the world as one of the few places most suited for this
sport as far as the take-off and landing facilities are concerned.
Ovacik Village
Ovacik is a delightful holiday centre located 4 kilometres from Oludeniz on the
Fethiye road. Cool breezes and beautiful mountain views enchant
guests staying at hotels, boarding houses and holiday villages. Located at the foot
of Babadag Mountain, there is always a refreshing offshore breeze, even during the
hottest days of summer.
Hisaronu Village
Hisaronu Resort is between Ovacik and Oludeniz. Hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping
centres and the other activities offer tourists a very busy, exciting and colourful
time. Easy transportation to Fethiye and Oludeniz is provided by
a minibus (dolmus). It takes only 5 minutes to Oludeniz and 20 minutes to Fethiye
from Hisaronu and Ovacik.
Calis Beach
The Calis Beach, which is at a distance of 5 km. from the centre of Fethiye,
is one of the prominent regions of accommodation and entertainment. It is opposite
the Sövalye Island, which may be deemed as the entrance to the Port of
Fethiye. In addition to Municipality buses and dolmus, Calis Beach
can be reached with small dolmus boats by sea, which offer great facilities to holidaymakers. The
cool evenings of hot summer days is a privilege of those choosing to spend their
holidays at Calis.
The shoreline of Calis, which is 6 km. long, is also a significant reproduction
area for Caretta-Carettas existing in the Mediterranean for 95
million years. The eggs laid by Carettas into the sandy beach at nights in the months
of May through September are continuously watched and protected by volunteers of
nature and other organizations concerned.
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