| Region | University  Region |
The province of Muğla, located in the southwest corner of Turkey where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, includes popular holiday destinations such as Gökova, Bodrum, Marmaris, Datça, Milas, Dalyan and Fethiye. With its beautiful resorts, impressive ruins of past civilizations, magnificent landscapes and vast beaches as well as plenty of accommodation, restaurant and entertainment choices to suit every taste, this region has something to offer for everyone.
Muğla, the province's capital, is a charming city that stretches from the foothills of Mount Asar into a plain bearing its name. This systematically developing, modern, calm and clean city is famous for its unique architecture. Muğla houses, with their whitewashed walls, red tiled roofs, characteristic chimneys and distinctive architecture have been placed on the protected buildings' list. Since the economical development of the city mostly relies on tourism the natural, cultural and historical beauties of Muğla have always been protected. The population growth rate is not high and most buildings are done with a modern urban planning approach.
Muğla region, which was called Caria in ancient times, has for centuries been a leading social, cultural and historical centre for numerous ancient societies and Mediterranean civilizations including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman. The first known inhabitants of the region between the Dalaman River and Meander were 'Lelegs' and 'Carians'. The region came under the rule of Ottomans in 1424, which started the era of Turkish sovereignty in Muğla.
Among the places well worth a visit are the Muğla Museum housing fossils of extinct animal species excavated in the village of Özlüce; historic trade guild's markets; Saburhane, where historical houses, shops and cafes offers a breath from the past, Kurşunlu and Ulu Mosques built some 600 years ago; the Olive Merchants' Building; and the Konakaltı Cultural Centre. Also located 3 kilometres from Muğla city centre is the region's renowned highland summer retreat known as 'Muğla Yaylası' with its tall plane trees, fruit orchards, vineyards and vegetable gardens.
Muğla city is a hub for transportation, and coaches run directly from the coach station to all neighbouring towns and all major cities of the country. The highways in Muğla are connected with the highways of Aydın, Denizli, Bodrum and Fethiye, which then join Muğla with the rest of the country. There are two international airports in the province; Dalaman and Bodrum-Milas. Muğla province has the longest coast in Turkey with 1124 kilometres. Regular boat trips are available between the coastal resorts as well as to neighbouring Greek Islands. Muğla has a Mediterranean climate, hot and dry in summer and warm and rainy in winter.
Living in Muğla means being only an hour away from the world famous tourist destinations. Famous antique cities, castles, rock tombs, hundreds of magnificent bays where the deepest blue joins with striking green, the Blue Lagoon, the Caretta Caretta Beach are only few to mention among the places located in the districts of Muğla.
Muğla has a very rich potential in producing honey, olives, olive oil, citrus fruit, almonds, various herbs and greenhouse vegetables. More than two thirds of Muğla province is covered with forests. The wildest natural beauties are within only a short distance from the city centre, which gives an endless scope for escapes to spectacular countryside. You can also engage in countless outdoor sports, some of which are trekking, mountain climbing, hang-gliding, cycling, riding, fishing, diving, sailing, and all kinds of water-sports. However, if you are in a mood for having a great night out, the lively towns of Marmaris or Bodrum are awaiting. The world of entertainment virtually moves from Istanbul to the south of the country as soon as summer begins and many festivals, performances, and concerts take place.
Muğla University has been, in every sense, a leading cause in the development of Muğla. Thousands of university students coming from other cities of Turkey with different ethnical and cultural backgrounds form the two thirds of the local population and adds a new identity to the social structure of the city. This new identity presents Muğla as a multicultural, free, and peaceful western city.
The richness of natural beauties, pristine waters, and magnificent historical and cultural heritage in Muğla are all represented in the emblem of the University. When the academic year starts, the city welcomes students who dramatically change the population and the appearance of the city. Muğla today, is not only a city of natural and historical resources but also a university city rapidly moving in the direction of becoming a centre for education and culture.