Middle Taurus

North of Maraş, the Taurus highlands surround the basins of Göksun and Elbistan. Wooded mountains, steep valleys and high pastures distinguish this country from the warmer plains to the south. Roads through the ranges linked the Anatolian interior with Cilicia and Syria, while mountain communities occupied sheltered valleys among the ridges. The rough terrain made the choice of passes especially important to travellers and armies.