# Gaziantep

> city in Turkey

**Wikidata**: [Q93338](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q93338)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaziantep)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gaziantep

## Summary
Gaziantep is a major metropolitan city in southeastern Turkey, serving as the capital of Gaziantep Province. With a population exceeding 1.6 million residents as of 2022, it is one of Turkey's largest cities and a significant historical, cultural, and economic hub known for its ancient heritage, culinary traditions, and industrial output.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Metropolitan municipality in Turkey, big city, city.
- **Area**: 7,642 square kilometres.
- **Population (2022)**: 1,680,723 (estimate, Address-Based Population Registration System method).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 37.062777777777775, Longitude 37.37916666666667.
- **Elevation**: 850 metres above sea level.
- **Timezone**: UTC+03:00.
- **Postal Code**: 27 000.
- **Official Names**: "Gaziantep" (current), "عین تاب" (until 1921), "غازی عین تاب" (from 1921, associated with the Siege of Aintab).
- **Native Label**: غازی عین تاب.
- **Country**: Turkey.
- **Provincial Capital**: Capital of Gaziantep Province.
- **Historical Name**: Replaces the ancient settlement "Antiochia ad Taurum".
- **UNESCO Membership**: Member of the Creative Cities Network as a "City of Gastronomy" since 2015.
- **Award**: Recipient of The Europe Prize in 2025.
- **Primary Website**: http://www.gaziantep.gov.tr/ (Turkish).
- **Social Media**: Official Twitter (@GaziantepBeld, verified, since 2012), Instagram (@gaziantepbeld), Facebook (BestofGaziantep), YouTube channel (Gaziantep Büyükşehir).
- **GeoNames ID**: 314830.
- **VIAF ID**: 143134314.

## FAQs
**Where is Gaziantep located and how large is it?**
Gaziantep is a metropolitan city in southeastern Turkey, serving as the capital of its namesake province. It covers an area of 7,642 square kilometres and had an estimated population of 1,680,723 residents as of December 31, 2022.

**What are the historical names for Gaziantep?**
Historically, Gaziantep was known as Aintab, Antiochia ad Taurum (Roman), and Ain-Tab. The name "غازی عین تاب" (Ghazi Ayntab) was adopted in 1921 following the Siege of Aintab, later simplified to the modern Turkish "Gaziantep".

**What international memberships and awards does Gaziantep hold?**
Gaziantep is a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, designated as a "City of Gastronomy" in 2015. It was awarded The Europe Prize in 2025, recognizing its contributions to European unity and cooperation.

**How has Gaziantep's population changed over time?**
The city's population has grown significantly from 374,290 in 1980 to 1,680,723 in 2022. It surpassed 1 million residents around 2009 (estimate: 1,278,676) and reached 1,567,205 by the end of 2017 according to the Address-Based Population Registration System.

**What is Gaziantep's digital and social media presence?**
The municipality maintains an official Turkish website (gaziantep.gov.tr) and verified social media accounts on Twitter (@GaziantepBeld, active since 2012), Instagram (@gaziantepbeld), and Facebook (BestofGaziantep). Its YouTube channel, Gaziantep Büyükşehir, has over 17,700 subscribers as of September 2025.

**With which cities is Gaziantep twinned?**
Gaziantep has an extensive network of twin cities and sister-city relationships spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Partnerships include Duisburg and Ludwigshafen (Germany), Kharkiv (Ukraine), Minsk (Belarus), Tartu (Estonia), Ostrava (Czech Republic), and cities in Tunisia, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, with relationships formalized at various dates from 2005 onwards.

## Why It Matters
Gaziantep is a critical urban center in Turkey and the broader region, functioning as a primary economic engine through its robust textile, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, particularly pistachio production. Its designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy underscores its profound influence on culinary traditions, most famously as the origin of baklava and a rich kebab culture. Historically, it sits on the site of the ancient Roman city of Antiochia ad Taurum and was the focal point of the pivotal Siege of Aintab (1920-1921) during the Turkish War of Independence, shaping modern national identity. The city's strategic location near the Syrian border has also made it a key hub for trade, humanitarian efforts, and cultural exchange. Its receipt of The Europe Prize (2025) highlights its active role in fostering international municipal cooperation and European values.

## Notable For
- **Culinary Heritage**: Internationally renowned as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, famous for its baklava, kebabs, and copperware.
- **Ancient History**: Built upon the ruins of the Roman city of Antiochia ad Taurum, with significant archaeological sites like Zeugma and its famous mosaics.
- **Modern Population Scale**: One of Turkey's most populous cities, consistently ranking in the top five.
- **Industrial & Agricultural Hub**: A major center for textile manufacturing and the world's largest producer of pistachios.
- **Historical Resilience**: Central role in the Turkish War of Independence, commemorated in its official name "Gaziantep" (Warrior of Aintab).
- **Extensive International Ties**: Maintains one of Turkey's largest networks of twin city relationships, fostering global municipal diplomacy.
- **Archaeological Treasure**: Home to the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, housing one of the world's most significant collections of Roman mosaics.
- **Award-Winning**: Recognized with The Europe Prize (2025) for its contributions to European unity.

## Body

### Geography & Location
Gaziantep is situated in southeastern Turkey at coordinates 37.062777777777775°N, 37.37916666666667°E. It occupies a total area of 7,642 square kilometres. The city lies at an elevation of 850 metres above sea level and operates within the UTC+03:00 timezone. Its postal code is 27 000. It is the capital and central administrative body of Gaziantep Province.

### Demographics
The city's population has shown consistent growth over decades. Key census and estimate figures include:
- 1980: 374,290
- 1985: 478,635
- 1990: 603,434
- 2000: 853,513
- 2009: 1,278,676 (estimate)
- 2013: 1,421,457 (estimate)
- 2017: 1,567,205 (Address-Based Population Registration System)
- 2021: 1,775,904 (demographic balance)
- 2022: 1,680,723 (preferred estimate)

Historical rural and urban population breakdowns for the 1965-1985 period show a clear trend of urbanization, with the urban population growing from 160,152 in 1965 to 478,635 in 1985, while the rural population remained relatively stable around 70,000-80,000.

### Historical Identity & Nomenclature
The settlement's historical identity is deeply layered. It was known in antiquity as **Antiochia ad Taurum** (Greek: Ἀντιόχεια πρὸς Ταύρῳ), a name it officially "replaces" in modern records. The medieval and early modern name **Aintab** (and variants: Ain-Tab, Aïntab, ʿAintab, Ayintap, Antep) was used for centuries. The modern official name **Gaziantep** (Turkish: "Warrior of Aintab") was formally adopted in 1921, with the prefix "Ghazi" (warrior) granted in recognition of the city's resistance during the **Siege of Aintab** (1920-1921), a significant event in the Turkish War of Independence. The city is also known by numerous other aliases across languages, including Arabic (عَيْنُ تَاب, غازي عين تاب), Armenian, Kurdish (Dîlok), and historical Western references (Doliche, Teluche).

### Governance & Administration
Gaziantep is a **metropolitan municipality** ( Büyükşehir Belediyesi) in Turkey. It serves as the **capital of Gaziantep Province**. The official municipal website is http://www.gaziantep.gov.tr/ (in Turkish). The city's governance is associated with the province-level entity Q206855 and has been located within the province of the same name since the establishment of the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923. Historically, it was part of the **Aleppo sanjak** (1549-1908) and then the **Aintab Sanjak** (1908-October 30, 1918).

### Cultural & Archaeological Significance
The city is a major cultural center with a rich historical legacy. It houses the **Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum**, which displays the famous mosaics from the ancient city of Zeugma. The **Gaziantep Archaeology Museum** features a Roman Statues Hall. The city's cultural landscape is documented in numerous historical encyclopedias, including the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)*, *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition* (as "Aintab"), *The American Cyclopædia*, *Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)*, *New International Encyclopedia*, and the *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*.

### Culinary Recognition
Gaziantep's culinary culture is globally recognized. In 2015, it was inducted into **UNESCO's Creative Cities Network** specifically as a **"City of Gastronomy"**. This designation highlights its traditional cuisine, including the production of protected geographical indication (PGI) baklava and a vast array of kebabs, stews, and pastries. It is also listed in the TasteAtlas database.

### International Relations & Twinning
Gaziantep maintains an extensive program of international municipal cooperation, with formal twin city and sister-city relationships with numerous global cities. Partnerships are established with specific start dates, including:
- **Duisburg, Germany** (June 3, 2005, preferred)
- **Ludwigshafen, Germany** (February 24, 2014, preferred)
- **Kharkiv, Ukraine** (April 15, 2011, preferred)
- **Minsk, Belarus** (September 20, 2018, preferred)
- **Tartu, Estonia** (January 31, 2014, preferred)
- **Ostrava, Czech Republic** (November 9, 2012, preferred)
- **Cetinje, Montenegro** (May 23, 2013, preferred)
- **Karlstad Municipality, Sweden** (October 7, 2008, preferred)
- **Kuwait City, Kuwait** (April 9, 2007)
- **Kermanshah, Iran** (July 16, 2011)
- **Irbid, Jordan** (April 10, 2010)
- **Tripoli, Lebanon** (March 31, 2012)
- **North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus** (December 7, 2009)
- **Aryanah, Tunisia** (June 6, 2013)
- **Ürümqi, China** (September 23, 2016)
- **Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia** (September 25, 2010)
- **Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka** (May 28, 2013)
- **Maykop, Russia** (October 10, 2011)
- **Kotor, Montenegro** (November 1, 2014)
- **Kenitra, Morocco** (February 25, 2015)
- **Celje, Slovenia** (March 18, 2014)
- **Braga, Portugal** (September 15, 2022)
- **Baghdad, Iraq** (January 15, 2023)
- **Surabaya, Indonesia** (April 27, 2021)
- **Pittsburgh, USA** (date not specified in source)

### Digital Presence & Identifiers
Gaziantep has a significant digital footprint across multiple platforms. Its official social media accounts include:
- **Twitter**: @GaziantepBeld (verified, account ID 1024162946, since December 20, 2012). Follower count grew from 149,458 (Jan 6, 2021) to 221,140 (Feb 9, 2023, preferred) and continues to grow.
- **Instagram**: @gaziantepbeld.
- **Facebook**: BestofGaziantep.
- **YouTube**: Channel "Gaziantep Büyükşehir" (ID: UCJRniR7B121yerIq7rWnq4Q, since Dec 20, 2012), with subscriber counts tracked from 9,590 (Oct 12, 2021) to 17,700 (Sep 6, 2025, preferred).

The city is represented in numerous global authority files and databases:
- **Wikidata**: Q206855.
- **GeoNames**: 314830.
- **VIAF**: 143134314.
- **GND (German National Library)**: 4086680-4.
- **WorldCat Entities**: E39PBJdGFKGM7KKxKTwbQhGbVC.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n85162382.
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 146049544.
- **IdRef ID**: 08604351X.
- **FAST ID**: 1235792.
- **UN/LOCODE**: TRGZT.
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 26487670.
- **Pleiades ID**: 534964140.
- **RKD Thesaurus ID**: 35080.
- **Armeniapedia ID**: 4576.
- **FactGrid Item ID**: Malaya Puditsa.
- **Yale Lux ID**: place/7aeffdd4-6eea-4a01-b0ce-54757a788520.
- **Museum Digital Place ID**: 23375.
- **Online PWN Encyclopedia ID**: 3904457.
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Portal ID**: gaziantep-430110.
- **Encyclopaedia of Islam (1st ed.) ID**: SIM-0473.
- **TDV Encyclopedia of Islam ID**: gaziantep.
- **Encyclopædia Universalis ID**: gaziantep.
- **BBC Things ID**: a234c501-1316-4a7c-a419-6fa198b99c05.
- **Who's On First ID**: 890461631.
- **Google Play Store ID**: Gaziantep.
- **Quora Topic**: Gaziantep-Turkey.
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007567142805171.
- **Canadiana Name Authority ID**: ncf12007774.
- **De Agostini ID**: Gaziantep+(città).
- **NL CR Autom ID**: ge1183928.
- **Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia reference**: Vol. 1, pp. 346-347.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Gaziantep, with articles in 119+ languages (list includes af, ar, de, en, es, fr, tr, zh, etc.).
- **Wikimedia Commons Gallery**: Gaziantep.
- **Wikimedia Commons Category**: Gaziantep.
- **Wikimedia Page Banner**: File:Antep_banner_Zeugma_mosaic_2.jpg.
- **Wikimedia File Links**: Multiple images including skyline, Rumkale, Zeugma mosaics, archaeology museum, and Şirehan Hotel.

### Recognition & Documentation
The city is documented in a vast array of historical and modern reference works. It is described in sources such as the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)*, *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *The Nuttall Encyclopædia* (as "Ain-Tab"), *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition*, *The American Cyclopædia (1879)*, *Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)*, *New International Encyclopedia*, and the *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*. Its Wikidata description is simply "city in Turkey". It is also the subject of categories for people born in, from, and who died in Gaziantep, as well as a category for views of the city.

### Awards
In 2025, Gaziantep was awarded **The Europe Prize** by the Council of Europe, an honor recognizing cities that have made exceptional efforts to promote European unity and values.

## References

1. [Source](https://rm.coe.int/winners-of-the-europe-prize-2025/1680b53e03)
2. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/kuveyt-kuveyt)
3. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler)
4. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/almanya-duisburg)
5. [Source](https://www.duisburg.de/rathaus/rathausundpolitik/intbeziehungen/partnerschaften/gaziantep.php)
6. [Source](https://www.duisburg.de/rathaus/rathausundpolitik/intbeziehungen/staedtepartnerschaften.php)
7. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/iran-kirmansah)
8. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/almanya-ludwigshafen)
9. [Source](https://ludwigshafen.de/verwaltung-politik/partnerstaedte#c1694)
10. [Source](https://infocity.kharkiv.ua/obshchestvo/goroda-pobratimy-harkova/)
11. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/ukrayna-kharkiv)
12. [Source](https://ppr.kharkiv.ua/ru/gaziantep-tureckaya-respublika)
13. [Source](https://ppr.kharkiv.ua/ru/investment-advantages-of-the-city)
14. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/urdun-irbid)
15. [Source](http://karlstad.se/kommun-och-politik/internationellt-arbete/vanorter/kort-fakta-om-karlstads-vanorter-och-twin-cities/)
16. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/isvec-karlstad)
17. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/kuzey-kibris-turk-cumhuriyeti-lefkosa)
18. [Source](https://pittsburghpa.gov/onepgh/documents/people/sister-cities.pdf)
19. [Source](https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-minsk-twins-with-turkeys-gaziantep-115119-2018/)
20. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/belarus-minsk)
21. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/tunus-ariana)
22. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/cin-urumci)
23. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/mogolistan-ulan-batur)
24. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/lubnan-trablus)
25. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/estonya-tartu)
26. [Source](https://www.tartu.ee/et/partnerlinnad#Gaziantep)
27. [Source](https://www.tartu.ee/sites/default/files/uploads/Kontaktid%20ja%20linnajuhtimine/V%C3%A4lissuhted/Gazientep_deklaratsioon.pdf)
28. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/endonezya-surabaya)
29. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/sri-lanka-sabaragamuwa)
30. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/cekya-ostrava)
31. [Source](https://www.ostrava.cz/cs/o-meste/mezinarodni-vztahy)
32. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/adige-cumhuriyeti-maykop)
33. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/karadag-kotor)
34. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/fas-kenitra)
35. [Source](https://eski.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/karadag-cetinje)
36. [Source](https://www.cetinje.me/cetinje/site_mne/public/index.php/index/artikli?id=40)
37. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/slovenya-celje)
38. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/portekiz-braga)
39. [Source](https://www.gaziantep.bel.tr/tr/kardes-sehirler/irak-bagdat)
40. Virtual International Authority File
41. BnF authorities
42. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
43. Czech National Authority Database
44. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/turkey/gaziantep/_/2847__gaziantep/)
45. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
46. GeoNames
47. BBC Things
48. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tr.htm)
49. YouTube API