Hamamözü

Hamamözü is a town and district of Amasya Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It covers an area of 202 km², and the population (2000) is 6,161 of which 1,511 live in the town of Hamamözü, the majority spread throughout the surrounding countryside. The population has shrunk 13% since 1990. It has an average altitude of 690 m.

Facts

Hamamözü sits on the north-east foothills of the İnegöl mountains, 95km west of the city of Amasya, 23km from Gümüşhacıköy, and 45km south of the city of Çorum. Being in high country inland from the Black Sea coast the climate is hot and dry in summer, cold in winter but with more rain in spring and autumn than the countryside further inland. Much of the land is cultivated with grains and pulses; there are also large areas of forest and pasture.

Hamamözü is not a wealthy district, people mainly living from agriculture and food from their own gardens, with the hot springs bringing some visitors to the town, which otherwise provides high schools and other basic amenities to the surrounding countryside. Younger generations are migrating to larger cities in search of careers.

Places of interest

*The springs of Arkutbey, a popular place for walks and picnics as well as to drink and bathe in the healing mineral waters.

Famous residents

* Olympic gold medallist in 1956, wrestler Hamit Kaplan
* Wrestler Adil Candemir

External links

* [http://www.hamamozu.gov.tr District governor's official website]
* [http://www.hamamozu.org/ Local news website] tr icon