| |
 Bolu: This is a lovely western Black Sea city, with its lofty mountains, thick forests, blue lakes and abundant streams. The watery lands, expansive pastures and thick forests of the province have resulted in the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry. The environs of Bolu are also rich in flora. More than half of the 7,000 plant species existing in Turkey grow there. |
|
| |
| The Abant Lake, 32 km. southwest of Bolu, has an altitude of 1,325 m. A tourism center on its own, Abant attracts thousands of people in the summer due to the clean waters of its lake and the fragrance of its pine forests. It is also an ideal skiing center in wintertime. To the southwest of Bolu, Mudurnu and Göynük are among the prominent centers in Turkish cultural history. The Akşemsettin Turbeh (tomb), one of the most elegant works of art of the Ottoman era is also in Göynük. Mengen County, on the other hand, is famous for its cuisine and internationally praised chefs. |
| |
| The Coal Basin of Turkey: The economic life in Zonguldak, the coal center of Turkey, is based on mining and industry. Devrek to the southeast of the city is known |
| |
 |
|
Devrek, known for its ornately
carved canes - ZONGULDAK |
|
for its ornately carved canes. Ereğli, to the west of Zonguldak, is an industrial port. To the east of Ereğli, where the iron and steel works are located, is the Cehennemağzı Cave. This is, according to mythology, the place where Hercules defeated the triple-headed dog Cerberus.
Bartın in the east of Zonguldak is a Western Black Sea town known for its old wooden houses and scenic wonders. A Strawberry Festival is held in Bartın every year. Located to the south of the city are the
|
| |
|
| |
industrial town of Karabük and Safranbolu counties, resembling an open-air museum with its historical houses. |
|
| |
Kastamonu is a town where economy is based on agriculture and forestry. There are also numerous curative springs. Kastamonu is a virtual paradise on earth with its 135 km. long coastline, woods, breezy plateaus, and curative mountain springs. |
| |
| The principal historical and artistic sites of Kastamonu are the Evkaya (Paphlagonia) Tombs presumably dating back to the 7th century B.C., the Kastamonu Citadel built by the Byzantines on a rocky hill in the 12th century, the Kastamonu Museum with a historical building, the İbni Neccar Mosque built in the Çandaroğulları era and a bronze statue of Atatürk on the Cumhuriyet Avenue, symbolizing the Hat Reform. The Ilgarini Cave close to Pınarbaşı has a depth of 250 m. and a length of 58 m. The stalagmites and stalactites in the cave are nearly one million years old. |
| |
| Sinop province is located on a peninsula. This province has a moderate climate and very rich natural flora due to regular and abundant precipitation. As a result, Sinop is famous for a wide variety of forestry products. The city, named after the Amazon Queen Sinope, was founded by colonists from Miletus. The renowned philosopher Diogenes, known for his saying, “Don’t cast a shadow, no other gift is needed”, lived in Sinop in the 4th century B.C. |
| |
| The history of Amasya province dates way back to the Hittites. Amasya gained substantial importance especially in the Ottoman era, became one of the five largest cultural centers of Anatolia where many scientists and Ottoman shahzadahs (sultans’ sons) were raised, and it was recognized as “the Oxford of Anatolia” by European tourists. Murat II and Yavuz Sultan Selim were born here. Amasya also played an important part in the history of the National War of Independence. Mustafa Kemal, after landing in Samsun on May 19, 1919, reached Amasya on June 12, 1919. The plans for the National War of Independence were drawn up in this city; the decision to convene the Erzurum and Sivas congresses was made here, and with the “Amasya Circular” published on June 22, 1919, it was declared that |
| |
|
