Bolu Province
Encyclopedia
Bolu Province is a province in north western in the Black Sea
region of Turkey
, midpoint between the large cities of Istanbul
and Ankara
. It covers an area of 7,410 km², and the population is 271,208.
This is an attractive forested mountain district centred on the city of Bolu
, which has a long history.
There is plenty of forest but little agricultural land. There is some garden produce and dairy production including good cheeses and cream, most of this is consumed or sold locally, especially as Bolu has a large passing trade: Bolu Mountain is the major topographical obstacle on the Istanbul
-Ankara
highway, and until 2007, when the Bolu Mountain Tunnel is being opened, most travellers stop here for food and refreshment. Bolu has a long tradition of high quality cuisine. Annual cookery competitions are held in Mengen.
The forests, lakes and mountains are rich in wildlife including wild boar and very popular weekend and holiday retreats for walkers and climbers.
Parts of the province are vulnerable to earthquakes.
(capital district in bold):
Attractive towns include:
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
region 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...
, midpoint between the large cities of Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
. It covers an area of 7,410 km², and the population is 271,208.
This is an attractive forested mountain district centred on the city of Bolu
Bolu
- Places of interest :The countryside around Bolu offers excellent walking and other outdoor pursuits. There are hotels in the town for visitors. Sights near the town include:* The 14th century mosque, Ulu Camii...
, which has a long history.
There is plenty of forest but little agricultural land. There is some garden produce and dairy production including good cheeses and cream, most of this is consumed or sold locally, especially as Bolu has a large passing trade: Bolu Mountain is the major topographical obstacle on the Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
-Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
highway, and until 2007, when the Bolu Mountain Tunnel is being opened, most travellers stop here for food and refreshment. Bolu has a long tradition of high quality cuisine. Annual cookery competitions are held in Mengen.
The forests, lakes and mountains are rich in wildlife including wild boar and very popular weekend and holiday retreats for walkers and climbers.
Parts of the province are vulnerable to earthquakes.
Districts
Bolu province is divided into 9 districtsDistricts of Turkey
The 81 provinces of Turkey are divided into 957 districts . In the early Turkish Republic and in the Ottoman Empire, the corresponding unit was the kaza....
(capital district in bold):
- BoluBolu- Places of interest :The countryside around Bolu offers excellent walking and other outdoor pursuits. There are hotels in the town for visitors. Sights near the town include:* The 14th century mosque, Ulu Camii...
- DörtdivanDörtdivanDörtdivan is a town and a district in the Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It covers an area of 284 km², and the population is 9,528 of which 3,300 live in the town of Dörtdivan. The mayor is Sefer Akman ....
- GeredeGeredeGerede is a town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is located on the highway from Istanbul to Ankara . It covers an area of , and the population is 41,391 of which 25,200 live in the town of Gerede. Elevation is about 1,450 m...
- GöynükGöynükGöynük is a town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It covers an area of 1,436 km², and the population is 18,589 of which 4,894 live in the town of Göynük. The mayor is Kemal Kazan .-History:...
- KıbrıscıkKibriscikKıbrıscık is a small town and district in Bolu Province of the Black Sea region of northwestern Turkey. It covers an area of 641 km², and the population is 5,354 of which 1,524 live in the town of Kıbrıscık...
- Mengen
- MudurnuMudurnuMudurnu is a small town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 52 km south-west of the city of Bolu. It covers an area of 1,349 km², and the population is 25,480 of which 6,000 live in the town of Mudurnu...
- SebenSebenSeben is a town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 56 km south of the town of Bolu. It covers an area of 682 km², and the population is 8,871 of which 4,334 live in the town of Seben...
- YeniçağaYeniçagaYeniçağa is a town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 38 km from the town of Bolu, on the highway from Istanbul to Ankara. It covers an area of 225 km², and the population is 10,800 of which 5,953 live in the town of Yeniçağa. Elevation is about 1200 m...
Main sights
- Lake AbantLake AbantLake Abant is a freshwater lake in Turkey's Bolu Province in northwest Anatolia, formed as a result of a great landslide. The lake lies at an altitude of at a distance of from the provincial seat of Bolu city...
, an attractive mountain lake resort and hot springs. - Yedigöller National Park. The name means "seven lakes" in Turkish, referring to the number of lakes in this forest park.
- The Köroğlu MountainsKöroğlu MountainsThe Köroğlu Mountains are a mountain range situated in the northern Turkey, north of Ankara. It rises along the North Anatolian Fault and the Black Sea....
, said to be the scene of the folk Epic of KöroğluEpic of KörogluThe Epic of Köroğlu is a heroic legend prominent in the oral traditions of the Turkic peoples. The legend typically describes a hero who seeks to avenge a wrong. It was often put to music and played at sporting events as an inspiration to the competing athletes.The legend first began to take shape... - There are many hot springs and mineral baths in the province (kaplıcaları in Turkish)
- KartalkayaKartalkayaKartalkaya is a ski resort located in the Köroğlu Mountains, in Bolu Province, Turkey.-Description:Kartalkaya has suitable conditions for alpine skiing, ski touring and cross country skiing...
, one of Turkey's most popular ski resorts - Sarıalan. a lake high in the mountains above Kartalkaya
- The Aladağ mountains, including walking and picnic area of Gölcük.
- Seben Çeltikler
- Göynük Akşemseddin Mausoleum
Attractive towns include:
- MudurnuMudurnuMudurnu is a small town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 52 km south-west of the city of Bolu. It covers an area of 1,349 km², and the population is 25,480 of which 6,000 live in the town of Mudurnu...
(the ancient town of Modrenea) - Mengen
- GeredeGeredeGerede is a town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is located on the highway from Istanbul to Ankara . It covers an area of , and the population is 41,391 of which 25,200 live in the town of Gerede. Elevation is about 1,450 m...