Bafra
Encyclopedia
Bafra is a district in the Samsun Province
of Turkey
.
Valley. Persians overtook the region in 546 BC from Lydians
. A Hellenistic mausoleum was also found there. The area was ruled in turn by the Roman
and Byzantine
Empires, until the Selchuks arrived, assimilating the Turcoman tribes and establishing Bafra Principality that ceded to Ottomans in 1460.
The name Bafra derives from "bafira" that means a Phoenician trade house established in a harbour or bay. It is believed that the sub-prefecture status was given to Bafra in 1854. It is subordinate to the Samsun Province.
delta. It is 51 kilometres from Samsun
, has a surface area of 175.000 ha and an altitude of 20 metres. Black Sea is in the north and east of the sub-prefecture, Alaçam
is in the south and Kavak
is in the west. Nebyan Mountain (1224 m) is the highest of the rises south of the plain that is the lake-ridden delta of Kızılırmak.
The Karaköy unit of General Directorate of Agrarian Enterprises plays a major role in the country's economy, in that it provides sperms for all ovine and bovine species and offers seeds for wheat farmers.
interstate highway. Vehicles from Samsun to Bafra are available around the clock.
Excavations in İkiztepe revealed that people there lived in wooden houses and made their living on fishing, agriculture and animal raising. Discovered weapons and household objects suggest that metallurgy art was highly advanced here. Terracotta weaving devices that were found indicate a rather developed textile trade.
As for recreation, the Kızılırmak delta has incredible opportunities for sea sports, fishing and trekking. Bird watchers enjoy the swampy areas where the reeds are known to be reproduction areas used by migrating birds.
Two-day watermelon festivals are held in the last week of August each year to promote the region's famous watermelons and to support the producers.
A spring festival is held May 6, with picnics and bonfires.
Hotel (50 beds), and Mis Hotel (60 beds) are available for visitors. These establishments have their own restaurants. Many of the gas stations on the interstate highway also own restaurants. Derbent Dam and State Hydraulic Works facilities serve a vast variety of trout dishes.
Pittas, meatballs and Turkish delight varieties with walnuts and sultanas of Bafra are local specialities.
Samsun Province
Samsun Province is a province of Turkey on the Black Sea coast with a population of 1,252,693 . Its adjacent provinces are Sinop on the northwest, Çorum on the west, Amasya on the south, Tokat on the southeast, and Ordu on the east...
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
History
As a settlement, Bafra dates back to the fifth millennium BC. Remnants in the İkiztepe area revealed signs of habitation during the chalcolithic period (fifth to fourth millennia). These habitations apparently continued uninterrupted until 1700 BC. Early Bronze Age and Early Hittite objects were discovered there and Paphlagonians are known to have lived in KızılırmakKizilirmak
-Geographical names in Turkey:* Kızılırmak River is the longest river of Anatolia* Kızılırmak, Çankırı, a district of Çankırı Province, Turkey...
Valley. Persians overtook the region in 546 BC from Lydians
Lydians
The Lydians were the inhabitants of Lydia, a region in western Anatolia, who spoke the distinctive Lydian language, an Indo-European language of the Anatolian group....
. A Hellenistic mausoleum was also found there. The area was ruled in turn by the Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
Empires, until the Selchuks arrived, assimilating the Turcoman tribes and establishing Bafra Principality that ceded to Ottomans in 1460.
The name Bafra derives from "bafira" that means a Phoenician trade house established in a harbour or bay. It is believed that the sub-prefecture status was given to Bafra in 1854. It is subordinate to the Samsun Province.
Geography
Bafra is situated some 20 kilometres from the sea and on KızılırmakKizilirmak
-Geographical names in Turkey:* Kızılırmak River is the longest river of Anatolia* Kızılırmak, Çankırı, a district of Çankırı Province, Turkey...
delta. It is 51 kilometres from Samsun
Samsun
Samsun is a city of about half a million people on the north coast of Turkey. It is the provincial capital of Samsun Province and a major Black Sea port.-Name:...
, has a surface area of 175.000 ha and an altitude of 20 metres. Black Sea is in the north and east of the sub-prefecture, Alaçam
Alaçam
Alaçam is a central town of Alaçam district of Samsun Province of Turkey. Scholars believe that Alaçam is the site of the ancient city of Zaliches.-History:The town has a very old history...
is in the south and Kavak
Kavak
Kavak is a district of Samsun Province of Turkey. Kavak is located 51 km far from Samsun. It is 600 m high from the sea level. The mayor is Şerif Ün ....
is in the west. Nebyan Mountain (1224 m) is the highest of the rises south of the plain that is the lake-ridden delta of Kızılırmak.
Climate
Central Black Sea climate prevails in the region, with a somewhat colder winter weather in the mountainous interior. January and February are the coldest months while the warmest season coincides with august.Socio - Economic Structure
The economy is essentially based on agriculture and agroindustry, fishing, animal-raising and reed-weaving. The river delta is a true vegetable garden while paddy and wheat are seen behind the first raw along the seashore.The Karaköy unit of General Directorate of Agrarian Enterprises plays a major role in the country's economy, in that it provides sperms for all ovine and bovine species and offers seeds for wheat farmers.
Transportation
Bafra is at 51st kilometre on Samsun - SinopSinop, Turkey
Sinop is a city with a population of 36,734 on İnce Burun , by its Cape Sinop which is situated on the most northern edge of the Turkish side of Black Sea coast, in the ancient region of Paphlagonia, in modern-day northern Turkey, historically known as Sinope...
interstate highway. Vehicles from Samsun to Bafra are available around the clock.
Sightseeing
Because of its unmatched archaeological value, the İkiztepe region has been given the status of protected site by the Ministry of Culture. İkiztepe district is home to numerous archaeological sites - 57 mound, six flat and 25 antique period settlements. There are also 48 tumuli, five rock tombs, three necropoles, one castle, one bathhouse and one bridge in the district. 623 graves were found in one of the necropoles. Scientific cerebral surgeries were noted to have been performed on eight of the persons buried there.Excavations in İkiztepe revealed that people there lived in wooden houses and made their living on fishing, agriculture and animal raising. Discovered weapons and household objects suggest that metallurgy art was highly advanced here. Terracotta weaving devices that were found indicate a rather developed textile trade.
As for recreation, the Kızılırmak delta has incredible opportunities for sea sports, fishing and trekking. Bird watchers enjoy the swampy areas where the reeds are known to be reproduction areas used by migrating birds.
Two-day watermelon festivals are held in the last week of August each year to promote the region's famous watermelons and to support the producers.
A spring festival is held May 6, with picnics and bonfires.
Overnighting and Meals
The Municipal Tourist Hotel (28 beds), TrabzonTrabzon
Trabzon is a city on the Black Sea coast of north-eastern Turkey and the capital of Trabzon Province. Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road, became a melting pot of religions, languages and culture for centuries and a trade gateway to Iran in the southeast and the Caucasus to the northeast...
Hotel (50 beds), and Mis Hotel (60 beds) are available for visitors. These establishments have their own restaurants. Many of the gas stations on the interstate highway also own restaurants. Derbent Dam and State Hydraulic Works facilities serve a vast variety of trout dishes.
Pittas, meatballs and Turkish delight varieties with walnuts and sultanas of Bafra are local specialities.