Atatürk Dam and GAP
Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), is a multi sectoral and complex regional development programme of Southeastern Anatolia Region consisting 9 cities (Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak). At the beginning, the aim project was to cover only the improvement of water and soil resources, but in 1989 after the preparation of GAP Master Plan; the project evolved to a multi sectoral and complex regional development plan. The most important step of the project was the Atatürk Dam which is known to be the biggest dam of Türkiye and 8th biggest Dam in the world. With Atatürk Dam, which is located in the borders of Adıyaman and ŞanlıUrfa, soil resurrects from years of drought and the economy of the region developed rapidly.
On the other hand, Dam Lake which is called as “sea” by the local people, gives a great variety to the touristic capacity of the region. Fishing and water sports are now available in lake life.