Sunday (District)

Rize is a city situated on a steep terrain between the Kaçkar Mountains and the Black Sea in the northeastern part of Anatolia. Pazar is a district located in the eastern part of Rize province along the Black Sea coast. The region has a climate characterized by regular rainfall throughout the year and cool summers.

The area of Pazar district is 315 square kilometers and consists of deep valleys. The largest river in the region is the Hemşin Creek; other streams such as Bodasari Melyat and Hunarsu also flow through the area. Due to heavy rainfall during winter months the humidity level in the region is high.

^{Hemşin Deresi (generated by artificial intelligence)}

The earliest written record mentioning the Rize region is an Urartian inscription dating to 765 BCE in which the area is referred to as "Kulki". The district of Pazar was founded by the Romans in 64 BCE under the name "Athena". Throughout history the region remained under the control of the Kingdom of Pontus the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

In 1461 following the conquest of Trabzon by Fatih Sultan Mehmet the territories of Rize and Pazar were incorporated into the Ottoman State. During the Republican period Rize became an independent province in 1924. In 1928 the district’s name was officially changed from "Athena" to "Pazar".

The local population has engaged in animal husbandry and agriculture since ancient times. Tea cultivation which began in the region in 1937 has become one of the main economic activities of the people. In traditional life the custom of "imece" which involves communal labor for shared tasks in villages is widespread.

In the regional architecture elevated wooden storage houses known as "Serender" play an important role due to the humid climate which necessitates food preservation. Education and health services in the district are well developed and transportation and electricity have been extended to all villages.

^{Serender (generated by artificial intelligence)}

• 765 BCE: First recorded mention of the region’s name (Kulki) in a written source (Urartian inscription).
• 64 BCE: Foundation of the Pazar district by the Romans under the name "Athena".
• 1461: Incorporation of the region into the Ottoman State.
• 1928: Official renaming of the district to "Pazar".