Samsun

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

official_name = Samsun
blank_emblem_type =
subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Black Sea |subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Samsun
population_total = 725,111
population_urban =
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 =
area_total_km2 = 9.083
elevation_m =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Samsun
pushpin_mapsize =
latd = 41
latm = 17
latNS = N
longd = 36
longm = 20
longEW = E
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code =
blank_info = 55|blank_name=Licence plate
area_code = (+90) (0)362
leader_name =
website = [http://www.samsun.bel.tr www.samsun.bel.tr]
leader_name1 =

Samsun (Greek: "Σαμψούντα", "Samsounta", "Amisos") is a city in northern Turkey, on the coast of the Black Sea, with a population of 725,111 as of 2007. It is the capital city of Samsun Province and an important port. Samsun was founded as the colony Amisos (alternative spelling "Amisus", "Eis Amison - " meaning to amisos took the name "Samsunta" or "Samsus" "( Eis Amison - Samson - Samsounta") as in Greek + ounta "Greek toponomical suffix". [Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz: Ansiklopedik Sözlük (Blacksea: Encyclopedic Dictionary). 2 Cilt (2 Volumes). Heyamola Publishing. Istanbul.2005 ISBN 975-6121-00-9] ) by settlers from Miletus in the 7th century BC. It was later a part of the Pontus realm.

History

Samsun's ideal combination of fertile ground and shallow waters has attracted numerous trade interests. Greek colonists settled in the 6th century BC and established a flourishing trade relationship with the Anatolians. At that time, Samsun was part of the Greek colony of Amisus. In the 3rd century BC, Samsun came under the expanded rule of the Kingdom of Pontus. The Kingdom of Pontus had been part of the empire of Alexander the Great. However, the empire was fractured soon after Alexander's death in the 4th century BC. At its height, the kingdom controlled the north of central Anatolia and mercantile towns on the northern Black Sea shores.The Romans took over in 47 BC, and were replaced by the Byzantines after the fall of Rome. In 1200 Samsun was captured by the Seljuks, to be later taken over by the İlhanlılar. Samsun was incorporated into the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the Ottomans in the beginning of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese razed the town.

Atatürk founded the Turkish republic movement at Samsun and it served as its base during the Turkish War of Independence.

The city is a Roman Catholic titular see.

Geography

Samsun is situated between two river deltas which jut into the Black Sea. It is located at the end of an ancient route from Cappadocia: the "Amisos" of antiquity lay on the headland northwest of the modern city. To Samsun's west, lies the Kızılırmak ("Red River", the "Halys" of antiquity), one of the longest rivers in Anatolia and its fertile delta. To the east, lie the Yeşilırmak ("Green River", the "Iris" of antiquity) and its delta.

Rivers

Terme river, Yeşilırmak, Aptal river, Mert river, Kürtün river, Kızılırmak [ [http://www.karalahana.com/karadeniz/Samsun%20ili.htm Samsun] ]

Lakes

Akgöl, Dumanlı, Semenlik

Climate

Samsun has a humid, temperate, marine climate with cool winters and warm summers and high rainfall throughout the year.

Economy

Samsun is an important Turkish trade centre and the most important port on the Black Sea coast.Samsun is one of the major Turkish tobacco producing provinces.In the later Ottoman period the land around the town mainly produced tobacco. The town was connected to the railway system in the second half of the 19th century, and tobacco trade boomed. The Çarşamba Valley and the Bafra Valley offer possibilities for farming.

A concern of automotive industries is located in Samsun.

Education

The University of Samsun (19 Mayis Üniversitesi) is one of the seven best universities of Turkey.Moreover the city has colleges, 58 grammar schools, 1.048 primary schools, and public libraries.

Places to see

*Kultur Sarayi (Palace of Culture). Concerts and other performances are held at the Kultur Sarayi, which is shaped much like a ski jump.
*Archaeological and Atatürk Museum. The archaeological part of the museum displays ancient artifacts found in the Samsun area. The Atatürk section includes photographs of his life and some personal belongings. The museum is open from 8:30 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00.
*The Russian Market (Rus Pazari).
*Statue of Atatürk. By Austrian sculptor Heinz Kriphel, from 1928 to 1931.
*Atatürk (Gazi) Museum. It houses Atatürk's bedroom, his study and conference room as well some personal belongings.
*Pazar Mosque, Samsun's oldest surviving building, a mosque built by the Ilhanid Mongols in the 13th century.
*Karadağ Geçidi (Karadag Pass) (at an altitude of 940 metres). The landscape, on the way to Amasya.

Sister cities

* Novorossiysk, Russia
* Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
* Neumünster, Germany
* Kalmar, Sweden

Notable natives

* Mustafa Dağıstanlı - two times Olympic gold medalist sports wrestler
* Yaşar Doğu - Olympic gold medalist sports wrestler
* Orhan Gencebay - musician
* Ferhan Şensoy - writer, actor and stage director
* Tanju Çolak - soccer player/striker, who was the top scorer in Europe in 1987 and 3rd scorer in 1986
* Yıldıray Çınar - musician
* Neyzen Tevfik – poet, satirist, and ney player
* Ece Erken – TV-hostess and actress

ee also

* Anatolian Tigers

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/TU/55/Samsun.html FallingRain Map - elevation = 15m (Red dots are railways)]

External links

* [http://www.karalahana.com/english.html All about Samsun and Turkey Black Sea Region]
* [http://www.samsun.gov.tr Samsun Governor's Office]
* [http://www.samsun.bel.tr Samsun Municipality]
* [http://www.samsuntso.org.tr Samsun Chamber of Trade and Industry]
* [http://www.karalahana.net/fotograf/thumbnails.php?album=82 HQ Samsun pictures]
* [http://www.samsunspor.org.tr Samsun SK football team]
* [http://www.yerelnet.org.tr/iller/il.php?iladi=SAMSUN| Local information]
* [http://www.samsunjen.com/samsun-videolari Videos from Samsun]
* [http://www.anadolukatolikkilisesi.org/samsun/ Samsun Catholic Church]
* [http://www.samsun-city.net.tc/ Samsun - Travel Guide]
* [http://www.forumsamsun.net Forum Samsun]