Adiyaman Province

Adıyaman (the ancient Perre or Pordonnium) is a city in southeastern Turkey, capital of the Adıyaman Province. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Turkey. The population rose from 100,045 (1990) to 178,538 (2000) (census figures).

According to legend the name Adıyaman comes from story of 'yediyaman' (the seven heroes): once there was a father who worshipped false idols and has seven sons. His sons were upset that the father worshipped these things and one day when he was out hunting the boys destroyed the idols. On his return the father saw what they had done and killed the boys one by one. The people were astounded and buried the boys giving them the name yediyaman. Alternatively the name could be a corruption of “vadi-i leman” (the beautiful valley) as the town is surrounded on all sides by fertile valleys.

Health

There were, in 1998, 39 specialist doctors, 150 general medicine doctors, 16 dentists, 2 pharmacists, 16 anesthesia technicians, 352 nurses, and 57 medical practitioners. There is a state hospital with a 400-bed capacity. There is one hospital bed for each 714 people in the central district, Adıyaman.