Belen Passage Nature Park
Belen Geçidi Nature Park is a nature park located within the borders of Belen district of Hatay province. It was declared a nature park by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs on April 9, 2014. Belen Geçidi Nature Park is located in the Belen district of Hatay province. It covers an area of 45 hectares (110 acres). It is 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) from Belen, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from Iskenderun, and 50 kilometers (31 mi) from Antakya. The majority of the area is red pine forest. In some places, the forest understory is very weak. In some places, the forest understory is well developed. Quercus coccifera (Kermes oak), Pistacia terebinthus (Terrain), Phillyrea latifolia (Akçakesme) and Arbutus andrachne (Sandalwood) are characteristic species. Native and wintering bird species include raven, carrion crow, rock bunting, dragonfly, pine tit, great tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, crested lark, masked warbler and blackbird. Additionally, the migration of hawks, kestrels, little forest eagles, cranes and storks was observed. One of the most important bird migration routes in the Western Palearctic biogeographic region passes through the Belen Pass. With this feature, it is one of the well-known and interesting areas both in the country and abroad.
