Adiyaman is a province in south-central Turkey. The province
was created in 1954 out of part of Malatya Province. Area
7,614 km². Population 623,811 (2000 census) up from
513,131 in 1990. The capital is Adiyaman.
The area has been inhabited since the earliest times and
many civilisations have settled here. There are therefore
a number of places of historical interest which attract
visitors. Nemrud Dagi is a major site of interest here,
noted for its sanctuary of statues built by Antiochus Theos,
king of Commagene. It is accessed through the town of Kahta.
A branch of the large Atatürk reservoir lies between
Adiyaman and the town of Samsat, and with more investment
the irrigation this coud become a rich agricultural zone.
Currently it does feel impoverished and people travelling
by mule or donkey are a common sight.
Adiyaman
Adiyaman (the ancient Perre or Pordonnium) is a city in
southeastern Turkey, capital of the Adiyaman Province. It
is one of the fastest-growing cities in Turkey. The population
rose from 100,045 (1990) to 178,538 (2000) (census figures).
According to legend the name Adiyaman comes from story of
'yediyaman' (the seven heroes): once there was a father who
worshipped false idols and has seven sons. His sons were upset
that the father worshipped these things and one day when he
was out hunting the boys destroyed the idols. On his return
the father saw what they had done and killed the boys one
by one. The people were astounded and buried the boys giving
them the name yediyaman.
Alternatively the name could be a corruption of “vadi-i
leman” (the beautiful valley) as the town is surrounded
on all sides by fertile valleys.
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