Şanlıurfa, also known as Urfa, is a city located in southeastern Turkey. It serves as the capital of Şanlıurfa Province and is situated on a plain approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of the Euphrates River.
Historically, the city was known by the name Edessa from Hellenistic times through into Christian times. The region experiences a climate characterized by extremely hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters.