Because of its natural strategic position on a small peninsula into the Mediterranean Sea below the Taurus Mountain, Alanya has been a local stronghold for many Mediterranean-based empires, including the Persian, Selchuks, Roman, Bizantian, and Ottomans Empires. Alanya's greatest political importance came in the Middle Ages, with the Selchuk Sultan under the rule of Alaeddin Keykubat 1, from whom the city derives its name. His building campaign resulted in many of the city's landmarks, such as the Kızıl Kule (Red Tower), Tersane (Shipyard), and Alanya Castle.
The Mediterranean climate, natural attractions, and historic heritage make Alanya a popular destination for tourism, and responsible for nine percent of Turkey's tourism sector and thirty percent of foreign purchases of real estet in Turkey. Tourism has risen since 1958 to become the dominant industry in the city, resulting in a corresponding increase in city population. Warm-weather sporting events and cultural festivals take place annually in Alanya. In 2014 Mayor Adem Murat Yücel, unseated Hasan Sipahioğlu, of the who had previously led the city since 1999.
