Alaçam

Infobox Settlement

settlement_type = Town
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
map_caption =Location of PAGENAME within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

official_name = Alaçam
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Black Sea
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Samsun| population_total = 12000|population_footnotes=
population_as_of =| 2000
population_density_km2 =
elevation_m =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Alaçam
pushpin_mapsize =
latd = 41
latm = 36
lat_sec = 36
latNS = N
longd = 35
longm = 35
lat_sec = 42
longEW = E


postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 55800
area_code = (0090)+ 362
leader_title=Mayor
leader_name = Fırat Anarat
blank_info = 55|blank_name=Licence plate

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. [Barrington|87 & notes]

History

The town has a very old history. Phrygians, Kimmerians, Egyptians, Lydians and Persians have ruled in Alaçam before Christus.

Miletians who moved there from Central Asia in the 5th century BC had named it Zelicus. Having been conquered later by byzantians, the town was controlled subsequently by Danishmend, selchuks and İlhanites and, during the Anatolian principalities era, by Candaroğlu and İsfendiyaroğlu principalities and finally by the Ottoman Empire.

Since 1st September 1944, Alaçam is the eight sub-prefecture of Samsun Province.

Geography

Alaçam is a pretty coastal town, bordered by the Black Sea in the North, Bafra in the East, Vezirköprü in the South and Yakakent in the West. Located at a distance of 78 kilometres to Samsun, it has a surface area of 632 square kilometres and an average altitude of 15 metres. The coastal strip of Alaçam makes a narrow plain extending in the east-west direction, divided into two by the Uluçay river, the largest stream of this sub-prefecture.

Climate

A typical Black Sea climate prevails in Alaçam where summers are cool and winters are tepid. Highest average temperature is in July with 35 oC and the lowest temperature is in January with an average of -5oC.

ocio-Economic Structure

Economy is predominantly agricultural, together with fisheries and animal -raising. Tobacco is the main agricultural for the product, followed by rice, maize, vegetables and fruits. Ovines and bovines are the main animal species raised.

There is an advanced iron-mongery in the rural areas, producing objects for village needs (plows, scythes, hatchets, picks, horseshoe nails, etc.) or the raised.

There is a tobacco processing plant employing around 500 persons.

Transports

Alaçam is on Samsun-Sinop interstate highway and, as such, has no transportation problems. Access becomes somewhat difficult, however, to the villages under adverse weather conditions.

ightseeing

Sivritepe, Elçitepe, Gökçeboğaztepe and Dedetepe are the known Hittite mounds in Alaçam and Miletian pottery was found in Sivritepe.

There is a historical castle of unknown origin at the forested and mountainous region south of Alaçam. The Sadi Bey Mosque from 1515, Yenicami Mosque from 1887 and the Geyikkoşan Shrine of unknown date are among the cultural treasuries. A golden beach for swimming and other sea sports with oak, poplar and laurel trees as a background is situated some two kilometres north of the town.

The Dörtmen plateau, at an altitude of 1500 metres is a beautiful picnic area, accessible by an asphalt-paved road.

The 6th of May celebrations held at Geyikkoşan are highlighted by wrestling bouts and other sports.

Overnighting And Meals

90 prefabricated municipality-owned quonset huts and a 25-bed hotel at Geyikkoşan, with an overall capacity of 800 persons, serve the summer holidaymakers. Şehir and Yeşilyurt hotels are downtown. There are several seaside restaurants specialised in seafood.

Chicken meat is the favourite ingredient particularly in villages inhabited by people of circassian descent. Pittas with spiced ground meat and filled tunny are recommended. Local fetta cheese varieties are quite famous.

External links

* [http://www.panoramio.com/tags/ala%C3%A7am/ Alaçam photos]
* [http://www.alacam.bel.tr/ Alaçam Municipality]

References

*GEOnet|-734542