Diyarbakir
[key], anc. Amida, city, capital of Diyarbakir prov., SE
Turkey, on the Tigris (Dicle) River. It is the trade center for a region
producing grains, melons, cotton, copper ore, and petroleum. Manufactures of
the city include flour, wine, textiles, and machinery. A Roman colony from
a.d. 230, the city was taken (mid-4th cent.) by Shapur II of
Persia. It was conquered by the Arabs in 638 and later was held by the
Seljuk Turks and Persians. The Ottoman Turks captured Diyarbakir in 1515. It
is a Kurdish population center, and has been the scene of fighting between
Kurdish guerrillas and government forces. The city retains the magnificent
black basalt fortification walls mainly constructed by Constantine I in the
4th cent. Diyarbakir Univ. is there.
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