[4] In late 19th century, traveler Martin Hartmann listed 6 of the 12 settlements in the nahiyah of Belen as Turkish and the rest without any information on the population.

The Belen district is known for its cool clean air (especially when compared with the heat of the Mediterranean coast below) and its mountain spring water.

The roadside restaurants in the pass have long been a stopping place for travellers, serving the typical dishes of Hatay, and especially "Belen tava", meats fried in tomatoes, garlic, spices and peppers.

[6] Known in earlier times as "Maziku Bagras" and "Bab-ı İskenderun" the pass was brought into the Ottoman Empire in 1516 after the Battle of Marj Dabiq.

the 16th century traveller Evliya Çelebi noted the harsh climate, the narrow streets and the forest on the steep hillsides.