Kovancılar (District)

Imagine a city built on a flat plain to the east of Elazığ, surrounded by water, giving it the appearance of a peninsula.

This is Kovancılar, a place that was once an empty stretch of land about 90 years ago but is now home to thousands of people and holds the distinction of being Türkiye’s first planned village. Have you ever heard of a plan drawn on paper transforming into a thriving city? Let us explore this district established by these hardworking people together.

^{Kovancılar District Plan (generated by artificial intelligence)}

The story of Kovancılar is very different from that of many other cities. Before 1934, this area was a barren and uninhabited stretch of land. In that year, it was decided to settle 300 Turkish families who had migrated from Romania here. In the spring of 1935, the foundation of this settlement was laid by Governor Tevfik Gür, granting it the distinction of being Türkiye’s first planned village. The hardworking citizens who settled here named their new homeland after their former village in Romania: Kovancılar. The town developed so rapidly that it officially became a district in 1988.^【1】

When viewed from a map, Kovancılar presents a striking image. Its western, southern, and northern boundaries are formed by the Keban Dam Lake and the Murat River, giving it the appearance of a peninsula. These waters not only bring life to the surrounding soil but also create breathtaking landscapes.

^{Keban Dam (generated by artificial intelligence)}

However, these lands are also known for activity beneath the surface. Kovancılar lies on the East Anatolian Fault Zone, placing it in a first-degree earthquake zone. This is an important scientific fact that reminds us to construct our buildings in harmony with nature’s forces and ensure they are structurally sound.

The majority of Kovancılar’s population—80 percent—earns their livelihood through agriculture and animal husbandry. Once dependent on rain-fed farming, the region’s fields have become more productive since the completion of irrigation projects in 1992. Another key feature of the district is its industry.

One of Türkiye’s largest industrial facilities, the Ferrochrome Plant, operates in the Yarımca village of Kovancılar. Moreover, many residents of this district have migrated abroad for work and, using their earnings, have built beautiful homes and made investments back home, significantly contributing to the district’s development.

• 1934: Plans were made for a migrant group of 300 families arriving from Romania.
• 1935: Governor Tevfik Gür laid the foundation of Kovancılar as a planned village.
• 1988: Kovancılar, having developed rapidly, officially gained district status.