Because of its association with Jewish, Christian, and Islamic history, and a legend according to which it was the hometown of Abraham, Urfa is nicknamed the "City of Prophets."

Urfa refers to the region where the pepper is grown, and biber means pepper in Turkish. The uses for this spice are limitless, from seasoning for braised meats and roasted vegetables, to standing in anywhere you'd use crushed red pepper.

Recent archaeology work has continued to focus on the location in Nasiriyah, where the ancient Ziggurat of Ur is located. Other sites traditionally thought to be Abraham's birthplace are in the vicinity of the city of Edessa (now Urfa in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey).

Şanlıurfa, commonly known as Urfa, is a city located in southeastern Turkey, near the border with Syria. The city has a diverse cultural heritage shaped by various historical influences. The demographics of Urfa include Arabs, Kurds, Turks, and other ethnic groups.