Nur Mountains

The Nur Mountains, also called the Amanus, rise beside the Gulf of İskenderun and separate the Mediterranean coast from the inland plains. Their steep ridges form a long barrier between Cilicia and northern Syria, broken by passes through which armies and travellers could cross. At Belen, one of these openings provides a way through the range. Forests cover stretches of the mountains, and migrating birds follow their slopes and passes between continents.