Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Black Sea region

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Black Sea region is a distinct geographical area in northern Turkey. It is also sometimes known by the historical names Pontus or Pontos. This region sits along the northern coast of the country, bordered by the Black Sea to the north. To the west, it meets the Marmara Region. To the south, it borders Central Anatolia and the Eastern Anatolia Region. The Republic of Georgia lies to its northeast. The region is a place of high mountains and narrow coastal strips.

Ordu, Turkey
Ordu, Turkey

Geography in this region is defined by the North Anatolian Mountains. These mountains form an interrupted chain of folded highlands that run parallel to the coast. In the western part of the region, the mountains are relatively low. They rarely rise above 1,500 meters. However, as you move east, the elevation increases significantly. In the east, the Kaçkar Mountains reach heights between 3,000 and 4,000 meters. These high ridges form an almost unbroken wall. This wall separates the coastal areas from the interior of Anatolia.

Zil Kalesi
Zil Kalesi

The landscape creates a very specific environment for life and travel. The coast is steep and rocky, with rivers that cascade through deep mountain gorges. Because the mountains are so high, access to the inland areas is quite limited. Travelers must use a few narrow valleys to move between the coast and the interior. This natural barrier has caused the Black Sea coast to be historically isolated from the rest of Anatolia. The mountains also create different environments on their different sides. The southern slopes facing the Anatolian Plateau are mostly unwooded. In contrast, the northern slopes are covered in dense forests. These forests include both deciduous and evergreen trees.

Sumela Showing Location
Sumela Showing Location

The climate of the region is characterized by high rainfall and humidity. Most of the area has a climate that is a mix of humid subtropical and oceanic. This is known scientifically as a Cfa or Cfb Köppen climate. Rainfall is high and is distributed evenly throughout the entire year. The eastern coast is especially wet, averaging 2,500 millimeters of precipitation annually. This is the highest amount of rainfall in the country. Summers are typically warm and humid, while winters are cool and damp. Snowfall is common from December to March and can be quite heavy. Even the sea temperature remains cool, fluctuating between 8° and 20°C.

Ordu, Turkey
Ordu, Turkey

This damp climate makes the region very productive for commercial farming. A narrow coastal strip runs from Zonguldak in the west to Rize in the east. In several places, this strip widens into fertile, intensely cultivated deltas. Different areas are known for specific types of crops. The Samsun area is a major center for growing tobacco. Moving east of Samsun, you will find many citrus groves. The area around Giresun is famous for hazelnut production. Further east, the Rize region is home to many tea plantations. In the western part of the region, specifically near Zonguldak, the economy relies on coal mining and heavy industry.

Ordu, Turkey
Ordu, Turkey

The human history and population of the region are also unique. According to the 2010 census, the population was 8,439,213 people. This total is split between 4,137,166 people in cities and 4,301,747 people in villages. This makes the Black Sea region the only one of Turkey's seven regions where more people live in rural areas than in urban areas. While most residents are Turkish, the region is home to several other groups. These include the Laz, who speak a Kartvelian language. Other groups include the Hemsin, Muslim Georgians, and Pontic Greeks. The history of the Pontic Greeks is complex, as many lived in the area until the 1920s.

Trabzon City walls and Aquaduct
Trabzon City walls and Aquaduct

Today, the region is a significant destination for tourism and culture. Many people visit to escape the heat of the Mediterranean or Aegean regions. The mountain plateaux are a major draw for visitors. These high areas are often cloudy and receive immense amounts of rain. This environment supports a rich variety of flora and fauna. Visitors enjoy many activities, such as walking through forests and visiting crater lakes. The landscape also offers opportunities for rafting, canoeing, and fishing. People also visit for winter sports and to explore the many waterfalls and streams. The region contains many historical structures, such as the city walls of Trabzon.

Trabzon City walls and Aquaduct
Trabzon City walls and Aquaduct
714 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Ordu, Turkey.JPG
Ordu, Turkey.JPG
File:Trabzon City walls and Aquaduct.JPG
Trabzon City walls and Aquaduct.JPG
File:Sumela Showing Location.JPG
Sumela Showing Location.JPG
File:Zil Kalesi.jpeg
Zil Kalesi.jpeg
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.