Gözcüler
| Gözcüler (Alakop) | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
  Gözcüler Location in Turkey | |
| Coordinates: 36°23′N 35°55′E / 36.383°N 35.917°ECoordinates: 36°23′N 35°55′E / 36.383°N 35.917°E | |
| Country |
 |
| Province | Hatay Province |
| District | İskenderun |
| Government | |
| • Body | Payas Municipality |
| Elevation | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 7,695 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Area code(s) | 0326 |
Gözcüler (former Alakop) is a town in İskenderun district of Hatay Province, Turkey. It is situated to the south of İskenderun and to the east of Arsuz (Uluçınar) at 36°23′N 35°55′E / 36.383°N 35.917°E. Although not a coastal town, the distance to Mediterranean Sea coast is only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi). The distannce to İskenderun is 32 kilometres (20 mi) and to Antakya (province center) is 96 kilometres (60 mi).The population was 7,695 of 2012.[1] After the First World War most of Hatay province was occupied by France and the settlement was named as Elvehep referring to a certain Abdülvahap Pasha who owned most of the territory around. After Hatay became a part of Turkey in 1939, the settlement was renamed as Alakop and after 1960 as Gözcüler (literally “watchmen”). Gözcüler was declared a seat of township in 1988. Although most of town revenue is from agriculture, the touristic potential is promising.[2]