Malatya is a province located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey and has been home to many civilizations throughout history. Geographically, Malatya is located west of the Euphrates River and is mostly surrounded by mountainous and hilly areas. This geographical structure has a significant impact on the climate of the city. Malatya has a continental climate, with hot and dry summers and cold and snowy winters. Especially in summer, the temperature can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, while in winter it drops below zero. These climatic conditions also affect the vegetation of the region. While steppe and semi-arid areas cover a large area, apricot gardens are quite common in and around the city. Malatya is known as the apricot capital of the world and the production of this fruit is of great importance for the economy.
Malatya's demographic structure is generally diversified with locals and citizens from neighboring provinces. In recent years, the city has also welcomed many young people thanks to its university and industrial facilities. The city's population is around 800,000, most of whom live in the center of Malatya.
In terms of cost of living, Malatya offers more affordable options than many large cities in Turkey. Considering housing, transportation and basic needs, it is one of the cities offering affordable living conditions. The economy of the city is based on agricultural products, especially apricots. Small and medium-sized industrial facilities also contribute to the economy. These facilities include sectors such as textiles, food processing and machinery manufacturing.
Malatya attracts attention with its modern hospitals and health institutions. Many health institutions, both public and private, offer a wide range of services. The city is also considered a regional health center and many patients from the surrounding provinces come here for treatment.
In terms of transportation, Malatya is connected to other regions of Turkey by road and rail. There are also domestic and some international flights via Malatya Erhac Airport. Transportation within the city is provided by buses and minibuses, and the transportation infrastructure has been continuously improved with the investments made in recent years.
The local cuisine is rich and varied. Apart from the use of apricots in various dishes, Malatya cuisine also uses meat and wheat products frequently. Especially local dishes such as Malatya kebab, stuffed meatballs and fried meatballs stand out in the gastronomy tourism of the city.
Among the places worth seeing in the city are the historical Aslantepe Mound, Malatya Museum, natural beauties such as Battalgazi and Orduzu. There are also areas suitable for nature sports such as Levent Valley and Kapikaya Canyon.
The advantages of living in Malatya include the low cost of living, the opportunity to live in natural beauty and the opportunity to lead a quiet life, while the disadvantages include the lack of some big city amenities and extremely cold weather conditions during the winter months. Malatya is a city that both preserves its traditional values and offers the opportunities of modern life.