Silifke

Silifke

Silifke, also called Seleucia, town, south-central Turkey. It is located along the banks of the Göksu River, overlooking the Taurus Mountains.

An irrigation scheme supplying the fertile lowland of the Göksu delta is located at Silifke. The town is a market centre for agricultural produce of its hinterland, including cotton, tobacco, grapes, olives, beans, and lentils. Industrial products include beverages, textiles, footwear, wearing apparel, chemicals, electrical appliances, transport equipment, plastics, glass, pottery, and canned fruits and vegetables. The modern town occupies the site of ancient Seleucia Tracheotis, which was founded by Seleucus I Nicator at the beginning of the 3rd century bce. On the top of the hill above the town are the remains of a Byzantine castle. Pop. (2000) 64,827; (2013 est.) 55,501.