Yukarıkuyulu is a neighbourhood (formerly classified as a village) located within the municipality and district of Ergani, in Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey. It is situated in the region historically called Upper Mesopotamia and lies to the east of the provincial capital, Diyarbakır, on the eastern slopes of the Taurus Mountains.
Administrative status
Following the 2013 Turkish administrative reform (Law No. 6360), Yukarıkuyulu was reclassified from a village (köy) to a neighbourhood (mahalle) under the jurisdiction of the Ergani district municipality.
Geography
The settlement is positioned at an approximate elevation of 750 metres above sea level. The surrounding terrain is characterized by a mixture of rolling hills and agricultural plains, with the nearby Bêriç River basin providing irrigation for local farming activities.
Demographics
According to the Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) data published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for the year 2022, Yukarıkuyulu had a registered population of 1,164 residents. The population consists predominantly of ethnic Kurds, reflecting the demographic composition of the broader Ergani district.
Economy
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Commonly cultivated crops include wheat, barley, and lentils, while livestock such as sheep and goats are raised for both subsistence and market purposes. Small-scale trade and services catering to the daily needs of residents also operate within the neighbourhood.
Infrastructure
Yukarıkuyulu is connected to Ergani and other nearby settlements by a network of provincial roads. The neighbourhood has access to basic public utilities, including electricity, potable water, and a primary education facility. Healthcare services are provided through a health center located in the district center of Ergani.
Historical and cultural notes
There is limited documented historical information specific to Yukarıkuyulu. The name "Yukarıkuyulu" combines the Turkish word "yukarı" (meaning "upper" or "above") with "kuyulu," which may derive from "kuyu" (meaning "well") or a local toponymic element, suggesting a place associated with an elevated well or water source. The area shares in the broader cultural and historical heritage of the Ergani district, which has been inhabited since antiquity and contains archaeological sites from the Hurrian, Assyrian, and later Ottoman periods.
References
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) results, 2022.
- Law No. 6360 on the Establishment of Metropolitan Municipalities and Their Boundaries (2012).
Note: Information presented reflects the latest available data from official Turkish sources as of 2022.