Ağlı is a district located in the northwest of Kastamonu, in a forested and mountainous region. The district's economy is based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry. There are natural and historical areas in the district, such as the historical Ağlı Castle and Toslu Hill.

^{Ağlı (Ağlı Municipality)}

History

Ağlı's settlement history dates back to the Prehistoric Ages (3rd millennium BC) with archaeological findings. Written sources show that the Paphlagonians ruled these lands between 1100-700 BC; they gave their name to the region as a branch of the Phrygians. Byzantine-era local governments dominated for a long time. In 1106, it was occupied by the principality under the command of Danişmend Gazi, and in 1292, with the voluntary participation of local lords in the Ottoman period, the Kastamonu region was included in the borders of the Ottoman Empire.

Ağlı is located in the area called "Eski Pazar" around the castle, located among the ancient ruins; the settlement was moved to a central point in 1905. The municipality was established in 1918, and with the law numbered 3644 accepted on May 9, 1990, it was elevated to district status on May 20, 1990, and took its current administrative structure.

Geography and Climate

Ağlı is located in the Western Black Sea Region, 56 km from Kastamonu city center and 300 km from Ankara. It is located at the bottom of a narrow valley at an average altitude of 1100 m above sea level at the coordinates of 41° 16′ N, 33° 34′ E. It is surrounded by the southern skirts of the Ilgaz Mountains to the north, Seydiler and İhsangazi to the east, Azdavay and Safranbolu to the west, and Daday and Ovacık districts to the south.

The majority of the land consists of plains limited by alluvial soils carried by the Araç and Soğanlı streams, and forested plateaus at an altitude of 785–1900 m surrounding these. Annual average temperatures are between –2 °C-2 °C in January and 20 °C-24 °C in July–August. Snowfall lasts from November to early April; The winter season is long, and the snow cover reaches 1-1.5 m on the high plateaus. Summers are warm and rainy; winters are cold and snowy. The spring season in the region is connected to the summer months without a clear transition period. The vegetation consists mainly of black pine, fir, oak, poplar, and willow communities under the influence of wet and mountainous geography, and shrubs and dwarf shrubs in their lower belts.

Population and Demography

While the total population of Ağlı district was 3306 in 2007, it decreased to 3250 in 2024, and in this period, increases of 108, 315 and 541 people were observed in 2012-2013, 2017-2018 and 2022-2023, respectively; and decreases at different rates were observed in other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 1677 (51.60%), the female population was 1573 (48.40%), and the difference between the sexes generally remained at the scale of a few hundred people. Annual population changes have followed a fluctuating course that can be explained by factors such as local population record updates and migration movements.

Economy

Ağlı's economic structure is based on the primary sectors. Wheat, barley, corn, and legumes are planted in limited irrigated areas in the valley floors; cereal species such as rye and sainfoin that are adapted to arid conditions are preferred in dry agricultural lands. The level of agricultural mechanization is low; agricultural activities carried out with a predominantly crowded workforce limit productivity rates.

Animal husbandry is organized in the form of small cattle production. Narrow pastures limit the grazing capacity per animal; on the other hand, meat and dairy products form the basis of household incomes. The diversity of the plateau flora allows for beekeeping activities; small-scale honey production makes an additional contribution to rural economies.

Forest resources are collected in an area of ​​75,000 hectares, covering approximately three-quarters of the district's surface area. Timber production; collection of non-wood forest products such as chestnuts, mushrooms, and pears diversifies the additional income opportunities of village families.

The industrial infrastructure in the district is limited. There is a flour factory and animal feed enterprises in the district center, and there are crafts and small handicraft workshops in the villages. In the trade and service sector, Ziraat Bank, Halkbank branches, and Agricultural Credit and Tradesmen Guarantee Cooperatives constitute the financial building blocks. The limited seasonal job opportunities increase the tendency for external migration in the winter months. The closure of village roads in winter conditions affects product marketing and raw material supply processes.

Tourism, Culture, and Cuisine

Ağlı is a settlement with potential for winter and highland tourism. Sledge races (boat races), which have a tradition of approximately four centuries, are carried out by preparing an icy track for the sledge to accelerate in the winter months and converting the 1.5 m long, 25 cm wide wooden sledges used in exports into speed tests. The races are completed when the boat descends from the starting point and goes uphill at the middle point, and each competitor is given three attempts. This event, which is carried out with traditional clothing and shoes ("sandals"), carries both a sporting and cultural continuity dimension.

The Castle Festivals, organized in the summer season, bring together the townspeople and local people gathered around the castle of the district from the Ottoman period. The first organization was started in 2001; the program, which is carried out in cooperation with the municipality, district governorship, and association, has been included in the Kastamonu Ministry of Tourism calendar. The three-day Fair, which surrounds the region,