Artova is a district located southwest of Tokat province. The district relies heavily on agriculture and animal husbandry, and has a high rural population. The district also contains several natural and archaeological sites.
Artova (Tokat Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)
History
Artova's history stretches back to ancient times. The Kayapınar and Kunduz Mounds, located within the district's borders, are archaeological settlements dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Additionally, finds from the Chalcolithic Age have been discovered near the village of Boyunpınar. Before the Ottoman period, the region passed from the Kingdom of Cappadocia and Pontus to the Roman Empire, and then under Seljuk and Ottoman rule. The name Artova first appears in historical sources as "Ankova" in Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname (Travel Book). Evliya Çelebi visited the region in the 1650s, recorded reaching the town of Ankova on the road from Çamlıbel Mountain to Zile, and saw the Sheikh Nusreddin Tekke. Some sources date the region's founding to the Çaldıran Campaign of Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1514. According to sources from the Republican era, Artova was established as an administrative center by Law No. 78 on April 11, 1921, and was officially elevated to district status in 1944. Artova's current name probably comes from the names of old settlements in Anatolia and began to be used with the founding of the Republic.
Geography and Climate
Artova is a district located 38 kilometers from Tokat city center. It is surrounded by the villages of Tokat to the east, Sulusaray and Zile to the west, Yeşilyurt to the south, and Pazar district to the north. The district's territory consists of high plateaus and mountainous areas rising from the valleys carved by the Çekerek Stream, a tributary of the Yeşilırmak River. The district's elevation is approximately 1,170 meters above sea level. The region experiences a continental climate, which typically becomes more pronounced as it passes inland from the Black Sea. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are cool. While Tokat receives rain between November and April, Artova experiences snowfall. The annual average rainfall is over 500 millimeters, and January and February are generally the coldest months. For example, the average temperature in July is approximately 18 °C, while the average temperature in February is approximately -1.8 °C. Ağdağ (approximately 1,900 m above sea level), one of the highest points in the district, is where the first snowfall occurs and the last snow melts. Because of its topography, Artova's climate is predominantly continental, similar to that of Sivas in Eastern Anatolia.
Population and Demography
The population of Artova district, which was 11,073 in 2007, fluctuated throughout the period, declining to 7,593 in 2024; the largest annual increase during this period was +523 in the 2015–2016 period, and the largest annual decrease was -772 in the 2016–2017 period. As of 2024, the population was distributed as 50.22% male and 49.78% female, with 3,813 male and 3,780 female, with the gender gap generally remaining at a few dozen people. Increases and decreases in annual population changes can largely be attributed to objective factors such as local migration patterns and administrative record updates.
Economy
Artova's economy is largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The district's rugged, plateau-like terrain has made animal husbandry a significant part of the local economy. Most of the farming population raises sheep, goats, and cattle on small farms. Pasture farming is common in arable pastures, and in recent years, dairy farming and sheep farming have gained momentum through cooperatives. Poultry farming, beekeeping, and the production of grains such as barley and wheat are also practiced in the district. Depending on the soil type, fruit and vegetable cultivation, particularly apples, pears, and mulberries, contribute to the economy, albeit limited. Irrigation projects have been developed using dam reservoirs from the Sulusaray River to irrigate agricultural lands; the Sümbüllü Dam Reservoir has been utilized to meet the water needs of surrounding villages. Small-scale workshops and quarry operations also contribute to the district's economic diversity. However, Artova's primary livelihoods are agriculture and animal husbandry.
Tourism, Culture and Cuisine
Artova is a central Anatolian district attracting attention with its natural and historical treasures. A rock-cut structure is the region's most significant tourist attraction. In the Özündürük area, 500 meters north of the district's Boyunpınar village, lies a three-story underground settlement dating back to the early Christian period. This underground structure consists of a three-corridor system consisting of halls, rooms, and prayer areas. The Kayapınar and Kunduz mounds, located west of Artova's city center, also hold archaeological value. Among the natural wonders, high mountains like Ağdağ and green valleys are suitable for hiking and nature observation. Artificial ponds like the Sümbüllü Dam Reservoir are also used as recreational and picnic areas.
Culturally, Artova reflects the general characteristics of the Tokat region. Traditional handicrafts, folk dances, and food and beverage culture offer examples similar to those of Tokat. While there are no museums or large-scale cultural facilities in the district, the villages and neighborhoods do contain mosques, tombs, and ruins of ancient dervish lodges. The Şeyh Nusreddin Lodge, mentioned by Evliya Çelebi, is an important place to visit during this period. Every summer, highland festivals are held in various villages, featuring local entertainment and events.
Artova cuisine reflects the typical characteristics of Tokat cuisine. Fruits, vegetables, and grains grown in the local climate are used in traditional dishes. Dishes such as stuffed meat, soup, wheat-based breads, and keşkek are featured on local tables, while desserts such as mulberry pestil (mulberry pestil) and walnut sausage are also made. Molasses and pestil (peanut pulp) are also commonly produced from fruits like mulberries and apples, which thrive in the cool climate. Thus, Artova's cuisine possesses a balanced and traditional flavor structure, enriched by the region's local produce.
