Almus is a district located east of Tokat province. The district's economy is largely based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing. There are no large-scale industrial facilities. The Almus Dam Lake is one of the district's important natural resources and is used for trout farming and water sports. The district also contains natural and cultural sites such as Tokat Nature Park, Almus Thermal Springs, Bağtaşı Plateau, Dumanlı Plateau, and Hubyar Tekke.
Almus ( Tokat Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism )
History
The region where Almus is located was inhabited during the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The discovery of earthenware sarcophagi and jar shards from various periods within the district borders indicates that settlement continued from antiquity. Ottoman-era documents, including records from the 15th century, include a structure referred to as "Akıncı Castle" within the Tozanlı district. This castle is believed to be identified with the ruins on the plateau of Akarçay (Meğelli) town. Recorded as "Gavurni-Kafirni" in the 1772 census records, the region was initially a village and district, but by the late 19th century, it had become a district center.
Following the conquest of Anatolia, Almus came under Danishmend rule after the 1071 Battle of Manzikert. In the following centuries, it was governed by the Eretna Principality and Kadı Burhaneddin. It was annexed to the Ottoman Empire by Yıldırım Bayezid in 1398. Land Registers in the Ottoman archives document the distribution of Almus's non-Muslim and Muslim populations, land use, and tax records for 1452 and 1519. Almus's administrative status changed during the Republican era, and its official organization was completed as a district of Tokat on March 1, 1954. The district's name is considered a reference to the Bulgarian-Turkish ruler Almış Khan, as suggested by literary historian Fuat Köprülü.
Geography and Climate
Almus is located between latitude 40°22′ N and longitude 36°55′ E, with an average elevation of 832 m above sea level. The district's surface area is 944.7 km², bordered by Niksar to the north, Reşadiye and Hafik of Sivas Province to the east, central Tokat to the west, and Sivas Province to the south. Its terrain consists of the gorge where the Yeşilırmak River flows into the Omala Plain, mountain slopes, and scattered plateaus. Among the main elevations, Tekeli Mountain (approximately 2000 m) and the surrounding Harami and Dumanlı plateaus stand out.
The climate is transitional between the humid, warm influence of the Black Sea and the typical continental characteristics of Central Anatolia. Snow cover increases throughout the region during the winter months; the winter average is approximately 2 °C in January and the summer average is around 22 °C in July. The annual average temperature ranges between 11 and 12 °C, with the highest monthly average temperature occurring in July (22.1 °C) and the lowest in January (2.0 °C). While precipitation in spring and winter totals 430–450 mm annually, July and August present a distinctly dry period, with average daily precipitation falling to 8–12 mm. The annual average sunshine duration is between 6–7 hours per day. These climatic characteristics directly affect agricultural and tourism activities.
Population and Demography
The total population of Almus district was 29,009 in 2007 and decreased to 27,764 in 2024. During this period, increases of 1,813, 1,679, and 2,990 people were observed in 2011–2012, 2015–2016, and 2022–2023, respectively, while decreases were observed at varying rates in the other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 14,366 (51.74%) and the female population was 13,398 (48.26%), with the gender gap generally remaining at a few hundred people. Annual population changes have followed a fluctuating course, which can be explained by various factors such as local registry updates and migration movements.
Economy
The economy of Almus is based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and lake-based fishing. Grains such as wheat, barley, and sainfoin are primarily produced in the district; pears, apples, and cherries are grown in orchards. Oilseed crops such as olives and walnuts contribute to agricultural diversity, albeit to a limited extent. Trout farms operate along the shores of Almus Dam Lake; amateur angling enhances the utilization of these resources.
The district has a small-scale industrial infrastructure. Two flour mills, one textile factory, and one shoe factory operate. These facilities offer economic alternatives for processing agricultural products and limiting rural-urban migration. Livestock farming is a significant source of income in rural areas; small and large livestock are raised on the extensive pastures suitable for grazing. Beekeeping, particularly through the chestnut and thyme honey obtained from the highland flora, provides additional income opportunities.
Almus's agricultural potential stems from its location in the Central Black Sea Transitional Zone. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's investment guidelines identify this region as a priority agricultural investment area, with potential for sugar beet, tobacco, fresh fruit and vegetables, wheat, and forage crops. These same guidelines also state that it offers suitable conditions for organic and good agricultural practices, allowing for the diversification of plant and animal production.
Tourism, Culture and Cuisine
Almus hosts many tourism activities with its natural and cultural resources. Some them are in the below:
• Almus Dam Lake and Omala Gorge: Trails suitable for camping, water skiing, speedboating, and amateur angling have been created in the forested areas surrounding the Yeşilırmak River. The lake covers an area of 3,130 hectares, and its surroundings are interspersed with hiking trails.
• Tufantepe: Located in the southwest of the district, Tufan Tepe attracts visitors for mountaineering and photography purposes with its natural landscape, limestone rock masses and panoramic views at an altitude of 1,800–2,000 m.
• Harami and Dumanlı Plateaus: Known for their foggy appearance, Dumanlı Plateau and Harami Plateau offer recreation and hiking routes with their cool climate and clean air in the summer months.
• Highland Festivals: Held on the Ataköy, Arısu, Hubyar, and Kösepinari plateaus, the festivals feature folk dances, jingles, and traditional highland life for local participants. These events are repeated annually to foster social cohesion and preserve cultural memory.
• Hubyar Tekke: Located in Hubyar Village, at the foothills of Tekeli Mountain, the lodge houses the tomb of Hubyar Sultan, who lived in the 17th century. As an important center of the Alevi-Bektashi faith tradition, it serves faith tourism.
Tufantepe ( Almus District Governorship )
Almus's cultural fabric combines Black Sea and Central Anatolian motifs. Village rooms, Yörük migration, and plateau accommodation rituals are still practiced. Among the local handicrafts, rug and carpet weaving, wood carving, and dried fruit craftsmanship are prominent. Hıdırellez and holiday celebrations are enriched with events that include folk dances and local folk music performances.
Almus cuisine includes local flavors based on agricultural products and plateau resources. These are in the below:
• Pastries: Cottage cheese, walnut, poppy seed buns; hand-rolled manti; highland meatballs.
• Soups: Tarhana; toyga (gendime) soup; leg soup.
• Pilaf and Main Dishes: Keşkek; bulgur pilaf with lentils; stuffed meat and sour beans.
• Dessert and Sherbet: Walnut köme; yufka dessert; lily jam; apricot and apple molasses.
• Beverages: Herbal teas prepared from highland herbs; tzatziki made with highland butter and highland yoghurt.
