Ünye

Ünye
—  Town  —
Location of Ünye within Turkey.
Coordinates: 41°08′N 37°17′E / 41.133°N 37.283°E / 41.133; 37.283Coordinates: 41°08′N 37°17′E / 41.133°N 37.283°E / 41.133; 37.283
Country	Turkey
Region	Black Sea
Province	Ordu
Government
– Mayor	Ahmet Arpacıoğlu (AKP)
Area
– Total	440 km2 (169.9 sq mi)
Elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population
– Total	115.242 74.806 (in municipality border)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
– Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	52300
Area code(s)	0452
Licence plate	52
Website	http://www.unye.bel.tr/

Ünye is a large town and district of Ordu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 76 km west of the city of Ordu. In 2009 it had 74,806 inhabitants.

Geography

Ünye has a little port, in a bay on one of the flatter areas of the Black Sea coast. The climate is typical of the Black Sea region, warm and wet, although because the hinterland is flatter than most of the coastline Ünye has less rainfall. Agriculture is the basis of the local economy, in particular hazelnut growing, hazelnut trading and hazelnut processing. The town is very quiet in late-July and August when most people are in the countryside for the hazelnut harvest.

The town of Ünye provides high schools, higher education and other services to the surrounding countryside, and other industry includes a large cement factory, flour mills, local handicrafts and the port. The town has grown in recent decades, acquiring the multi-storey concrete blocks spreading along the coast, typical of so many Turkish towns. There are cafes and internet cafes popular with students. The cuisine includes the local pizza called pide.

With its quiet spots for picnics and walking and its excellent beaches Ünye is one of the nicest holiday towns on the eastern Black Sea coast. Affordable pensions and camping facilities as well as 2- or 3-star hotels can be found in the summer season. There are summer festivals and concerts in July.

Etymology

The town's name has evolved from the Greek Oenoe through Unieh, Unie and Unia to the current Ünye.

History

The history of Ünye goes back to the Hittite period in the 15th century BC, followed by the Kashkas, Scythians, Milesians, Persians, Pontus and Ancient Roman/Byzantine eras. She was also managed by Danishmends between 1086-1098, 1141-1144 and 1150-1157, Anatolian Seljuks between 1188-1204, 1214-1228 and 1230-1243, Empire of Trebizond in 1204-1214, 1228-1230, 1243-1297 and 1302-1346 and Emirate of Hacıemiroğlu between 1297-1302 and 1346-1461.

Main sights

• The 18th century town hall.
• Çamlık - picnic area in a wood overlooking the sea
• Çakırtepe - a hilltop view of the town
• Ünye Castle (dating back to the Pontus era).
• Uzunkum - the longest beach on the Black Sea

Notable natives

• Ferhan Şensoy, actor and writer
• Refaattin Sahin State Minister-MP, has attracted government spending to Ünye
• Tamer Karan, singer
• Gulsen, artist

External links

• Municipal Official Site (Turkish)
• District Official Site (Turkish)
• News & City Portal (Turkish)
• Historical Information Page (Turkish)
• Places to be Visited (Turkish)
• City Football Club (Ünyespor) (Turkish)