The Mediterranean town of Fethiye is fortunate to have many extraordinary natural features and one of them is its wealth of flowing water.
Today is World Water Day and although across our precious and vulnerable planet there are many regions where, as water levels are running low, concern is running high regarding this increasingly scarce resource.
Meanwhile, Fethiye is fortunate to still have an abundance of life-giving fresh water.
We can only hope it lasts… and treat it with responsibility and respect it deserves.
A most precious resource
“In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful”
It many parts of the world it is a deeply worrying time, as water resources are dramatically reducing and once rich fresh water sources, lakes and rivers are diminishing with every passing year.
Other water sources are suffering from pollution, from urbanization, unregulated industry and agricultural chemicals.
Water is only one of Turkey’s many precious natural resources, and if you are travelling around this or any other part of Turkey, don’t be surprised to see water fountains that have Bismillahirrahmanirrahim written on them.
In Islam the relationship between humans and water is a crucial part of daily social life and it is quite rightly believed that water is the most precious resource, as it is needed by all living creatures.
Cool places to relax
Drinking water for thirsty travellers
Fethiye: a paradise of sea and fresh water
Fethiye has an abundance of pine forests – that are green all year found
In the highland pastures and mountains around Fethiye there is snow in the winter and higher annual rainfall than on the coast, but thanks to this and the region’s geography and geology (the mountains are limestone and act as a kind of filter) an abundance of underground watercourses, which eventually become fast flowing rivers, take the snowmelt and rain water down to sea level, providing everyone with as much icy cold water as they need.
Pine forests benefit from the abundance of water
Surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, from which beautiful rivers and streams flow, it also means that this part of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast has an abundance of pine forests, green and cool, and refreshing icy cold rivers, even during the hottest summer months.
Çam Pinar near Ören
Saklıkent gorge
Flowing water to relax by or enjoy
As a result, there are always many places to visit, apart from the sea, whether it is to relax or actively enjoy the water, whatever the season.
Kayaking near Xanthos when the river is in full flood
Riverside restaurants with natural ‘air conditioning’
The source of life
Kayaköy – collecting the winter harvest
Water, water everywhere and all of it’s to drink!
Throughout history, the Fethiye region has provided copious amounts of fresh water to supply its towns and villages and many also collect their drinking water from one of the many fountains, new and old.
Some of the sweet water springs are so famous, people will drive many kilometres to bottle up a supply.
A modern fountain in Göcek
An old fountain in Kayaköy
Fethiye waters’ may run deep…
Please enjoy Fethiye’s water but also conserve it by not leaving taps running unnecessarily and recycle it whenever possible. Thank you.
Fethiye’s waters’ run deep
The post World Water Day 2016: Fethiye’s world of water appeared first on Fethiye Times.