Lycia on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast boasts an extraordinary landscape. Its rugged coast lent itself well-defended ports from which Lycians could launch raids against foreign invaders, while on land Lycia can be distinguished by four ridges running northeast to southwest along the Taurus Mountains, separated by valleys; Boncuk Daglari or “the Boncuk Mountains”, is located west of this range and extends from Altinyayla in Burdur all the way northwards to Oren north of Fethiye; to the west is Dalaman Cayi, running south from sea level towards Mediterranean waters; but for an interesting contrast between land and marine environments exists four ridges from northeast to southwest with four ridges running northeast-southerly from northeast-southerly-southerly located four gorges; these areas were very unique!
Teke Peninsula cities represent the remnants of an exceptional civilization which thrived only here, evidenced by excavations, coins, and inscriptions. What made this civilization truly remarkable was their organization of a parliament composed of representatives from all city states based upon population to keep their society strong against repeated invasions by foreign powers and attempts by tyrants to take power.
After being under Persian control and briefly joining the Athenian Empire, Lycia fell under Mausolus of Caria’s satrapy of Caria until its incorporation into Greek hegemony under Alexander the Great. Today it remains popular tourist spot and hosts part of Turkey’s first waymarked long distance footpath, the Lycian Way.