The name Çanakçı means "where the potter is located," referring to the historical presence of craftsmen who crafted wooden vessels and bowls in the region. Çanakçı, which was a village within Görele on August 29, 1991, gained district status, and as of 2024, it has a population of 6,117 and a gender distribution of 51.10% male and 48.90% female. It is one of the smallest districts in Giresun.
Çanakçı (Source: Haber Günebakış )
History
Located in the Kelkit Valley near the Black Sea, the district of Çanakçı, due to its geographical location at the intersection of inland and coastal zones, has historically been the scene of various political and cultural interactions. The Çanakçı Stream, which feeds the district center, forms a corridor suitable for settlement with its fertile alluvial soil, while the steep slopes immediately beyond provide natural defenses and clean water resources. This unique topographical and climatic zone also fostered the infrastructure and economic processes that transformed Çanakçı from a small- to medium-sized settlement into a modern administrative unit.
The name "Çanakçı" is a toponym referring to the handmade wooden vessels and bowls produced by local craftsmen; in this sense, it means "place of the potter." The "Kuzca" entry in the Ottoman land registers, dated 1486, indicates a small village of nine households and provides the earliest documented population data for the settlement. This record demonstrates both the limited population in the region relative to the conditions of the period and the fact that the Ottoman provincial structure was organized around village-age relations.
For many years, Çanakçı was administered as a village (sub-district) within the Görele district, and within this structure, it was responsible for tax collection, security, and public order services related to central routes. Due to its location, Çanakçı served as an insignificant intermediate hub connecting the Coastal Road to Central Anatolia, and was integrated into the Ottoman provincial bureaucracy for both the security of trade routes and the recording of local production. Although its rise from village to town did not extend to the administrative classifications of the early years of the Republic, its name was mentioned together as "Kuzca and Çanakçı" in atlases during this period.
By a Council of Ministers decision dated August 29, 1991, Çanakçı was transformed from a village within Görele into an independent district. This transformation can be interpreted as a political move that prioritized the central-rural balance and aimed to extend the proximity of local government to all villages and neighborhoods. District status allowed for the planning of health, education, and infrastructure services directly centered in Çanakçı, the creation of administrative staff positions, and the acceleration of legal and construction procedures.
The most distinctive heritage element that has earned Çanakçı international recognition is the Kuşdili communication system, used for centuries in Kuşköy. With its pitch and melodic structure that transcends long distances, this oral technique, which meets the need for communication between settlements, has entered academic literature through festivals and international research in recent decades, and has begun to be studied by foreign universities. Kuşdili represents the intangible heritage dimension of Çanakçı's ethnic and cultural diversity.
Geography and Climate
The district of Çanakçı is located in the inland Black Sea region, 78 km from the center of Giresun by road and 17 km inland from the coast. The district center, with coordinates at 40°54′40″ N latitude and 38°59′16″ E longitude, is spread along both banks of the Çanakçı Stream's widened alluvial valley floor. While the valley floor has an average elevation of 430 m, the surrounding steep slopes of the Pontus Mountains rise to 1,100 m, with elevation differences reaching 678 m within a 3 km radius. These irregular landforms result in a linear distribution of settlements along the valley corridor, while agricultural land is concentrated primarily on alluvial plains and south-facing slopes.
The region's hydrological system is shaped around the Çanakçı Stream and its tributaries. Spring snowmelt and autumn precipitation feed the stream flow; however, stream flows drop significantly during the summer months. Soil profiles along the streams consist of fertile alluvial layers containing high levels of dissolved organic matter, resulting in fruit and vegetable gardens on the valley floor and terraced hazelnut and tea production areas on the slopes. Recently, greenhouse farming practices and kiwi orchards have also diversified the region's agriculture.
Climatologically, Çanakçı exhibits transitional characteristics between the humid Black Sea belt and the continental regime of Central Anatolia. Average annual daily high temperatures are around 7 °C in January, rising to 25 °C in July and August; average nightly temperatures are around 1 °C in winter and 18 °C in summer. Temperatures generally fluctuate between 1 °C and 25 °C throughout the year; days falling below -4 °C or rising above 28 °C are rare. The warm season (period when daily high temperatures exceed 22 °C) lasts from 14 June to 20 September, and the cool season (period when daily high temperatures are below 10 °C) lasts from 4 December to 23 March.
Precipitation shifts significantly to autumn and winter. Average precipitation peaks in October at 86 mm and drops to a low of 22 mm in July. While the annual precipitation totals approximately 8.8 months, there is a greater than 22 percent chance of rainy days, the 3.2-month dry season, from early June to mid-September, is relatively light. The average number of rainy days in October is 9.7 days, with a low of 3.6 days in July. Snowfall is rare, with only a limited number of sleet days observed in January and early February.
Sunshine duration and cloud cover also highlight seasonal contrasts. Skies are generally clearer between June 4 and September 28, with 96% of clear cloudy days reaching August. Conversely, January is the cloudiest month, with up to 61% of the sky overcast or mostly cloudy between September 28 and June 4. Average shortwave radiation peaks at 7.3 kWh/m² per day in July and reaches its lowest value of the year in December, at 1.8 kWh/m².
This combination of topography and climate provides the basis for both agricultural diversity and seasonal transhumance practices in Çanakçı. Hazelnut, tea, fruit, and vegetable production in the valley plains and on the slopes offers high yield potential thanks to the cool spring and autumn climate. In summer, temperatures remain mild, making irrigated agriculture based on alluvial lands possible, while relative aridity allows for the relocation of pastures to the highlands and the continuation of traditional temporary animal husbandry. Çanakçı's geography and climate, in these respects, provide an infrastructure that supports both agricultural and rural tourism potential.
Population and Demography
Çanakçı district is a small-scale settlement located in the inland region of Giresun. It was separated from its sub-district status by Görele in 1991 and became an independent district. According to the Address-Based Population Registration System (ABPRS), the district had a population of 5,981 in 2022, but has shown a gradual increase over the past two years, reaching 6,117 in 2024. This increase represents an average annual growth rate of around 1.1%, and, unlike the population loss trend observed in most inland Black Sea districts, demonstrates a vibrant demographic dynamic in Çanakçı.
In terms of settlement structure, Çanakçı consists of four central neighborhoods (Center, Middle, Cami Yanı, and Beyli) and 15 surrounding villages. In 2022 data, 1,868 people (31.3%) lived in the district center, while the village population dominated at 4,113 (68.7%). By 2024, the central population had decreased to 1,749 (28.6%), while the number of people living in villages and towns had increased to 4,368 (71.4%), demonstrating a stronger rural predominance. This decline in the central population could be due to the increase in the village settlements' registered population with the ADNKS (Regulation on Population Registration System) or the circulation of residence records in the center; however, the overall trend suggests that rural settlements exhibit a more resilient demographic profile than the district center.
In terms of gender distribution, in 2022, the male population accounted for 50.6% with 3,028 people, while the female population accounted for 49.4% with 2,953 people. Two years later, in 2024, the male share rose slightly to 51.1% and the female share to 48.9%. These converging rates suggest that the participation of both men and women in rural and urban migration processes in Çanakçı is balanced, and that there is no widespread gender-based migration or demographic shift.
While detailed statistics on age groups are not available in the sources, considering the general demographic trends in Türkiye's inland rural districts, it seems reasonable to expect a slow decline in the proportion of children and young people, relative stability in the middle-aged group, and a gradual increase in the share of the elderly. This is primarily due to the tendency of university-aged youth to gravitate towards large cities for education and employment opportunities, while the elderly population in villages and hamlets tends to remain registered. This transformation could lead to a decline in the natural population growth rate and an acceleration of demographic aging in the long term.
The per capita population density is around 10–11 people/km², assuming Çanakçı extends over an area of approximately 600 km²; this represents an extremely low density compared to the Turkish average. The sparse settlement pattern complicates the delivery of infrastructure, requiring public transportation, healthcare, and education services to be spread from the center to the villages. However, low population density also provides opportunities for the preservation of the natural environment and the implementation of sustainable rural development models.
Another dimension of demographic traffic is seasonal migration to the highlands. Çanakçı's villages are represented by highland settlements that temporarily revive during the spring and summer months, while hamlets empty out during the winter and early spring. Because ADNKS data cannot fully reflect these dynamic population movements, it is important to account for seasonal influxes and declines in population planning.
As a result, Çanakçı district boasts a small but vibrant demographic profile. The imbalance between the city center and village populations demonstrates rural resilience, while the balance in gender ratios demonstrates the coordination of the socio-economic structures of the settlements. Among the policy recommendations for the future, local projects that strengthen the education and employment connections of the young population; social support mechanisms to improve access to services for the elderly; innovative solutions for infrastructure and service delivery under low-density conditions; and planning measures to offset the impact of seasonal highland migrations are highlighted. Thus, Çanakçı can both maintain its demographic sustainability and contribute to regional development without losing its rural character.
Economy
The Çanakçı district's economy, situated within the typical topo-climatic zone of the Black Sea region, is primarily agricultural. Located 17 km inland, on an alluvial valley floor approximately 150 m deep, the district's moderate humidity and relatively limited temperature differences between summer and winter allow for the production of a wide range of agricultural products.
Hazelnuts form the backbone of agricultural activities in Çanakçı. Hazelnut orchards, arranged in terraced systems on steep slopes, provide the primary source of income for the region's economy in terms of yield and quality, especially in semi-shade conditions. Furthermore, tea plants spread across the valley floors at lower elevations, nourished by the humid microclimate, ensuring a uniform, albeit limited, distribution. Vegetable and fruit production is based on small plots located in the valley plains; tomatoes, peppers, beans, potatoes, and apples are the primary crops grown in open fields to meet the fresh produce demand of local markets.
While the district's economy was dominated by an open-farming model until recently, the establishment of two modern greenhouses in Çanakçı as part of the "Giresun Province Greenhouse Development Project," a collaboration between DOKAP (Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration) and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, has enabled production diversification and season extension strategies. Farmers growing tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and lettuce in greenhouses can significantly extend harvest times by producing high-quality produce in early spring and late fall, thereby increasing their income per unit area.
In recent years, climatic adaptation trials have led to the development of kiwifruit production in the district. Kiwifruit saplings have been cultivated in designated planting areas on soil profiles rich in macro and micronutrients, creating potential for an alternative commercial crop. This initiative adds value to the regional production basket and serves as a model for increasing agricultural diversity.
A large portion of Çanakçı's total surface area is covered by forests. The wood and fuel provided by these forested areas support the household's income streams. Furthermore, the potential for mushrooms, blueberries, and other forest products awaits sustainable exploitation as profitable ecosystem product basins.
While Çanakçı's economy is currently heavily dependent on agriculture, investments in greenhouse farming and new product trials like kiwifruit are diversifying regional value chains. In the coming period, expanding qualified greenhouse infrastructure, establishing processing and packaging facilities, strengthening local cooperatives, and promoting value-added trade in forest products will strengthen the district's economic resilience. Thus, by expanding production capacity for both the domestic market and, when logistics infrastructure allows, for international markets, Çanakçı's rural development dynamics can be made more sustainable.
Tourism - Culture - Cuisine
The district of Çanakçı, located in the inland Black Sea region, 78 km from Giresun city center, stands out for its settlement spread across both banks of a narrow, deep valley. Surrounded by the steep slopes of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains, the region's topography, combined with the alluvial valley floor, rocky slopes, and high ridges, offers a multifaceted tourism potential, both natural and cultural.
Saylıdere Waterfall is the district's most prominent natural treasure. Originating in the foothills of Sis Mountain, the stream flows rapidly over small rocky thresholds called "say," creating cascades in the shade of the forest within Kuşköy Village. The curtain of water cascading from a height creates an ecosystem integrated with the surrounding chestnut, alder, and boxwood stands, offering visitors diverse perspectives along short hiking trails. Furthermore, Karınca Castle, located west of the district, is a complex of ruins perched on a volcanic hill that has yet to be scientifically studied in detail. Locally known for its entrance gates at the center of the hill and rumors of gold, this structure embodies Çanakçı's strategic importance as an early land transportation corridor.
The natural environment is dominated by typical Black Sea vegetation: 33 percent is classified as forest and scrubland, 46 percent as meadows and pastures, 15 percent as agricultural land, and 6 percent is designated for settlement. Extensive forest belts support wildlife and ecosystem diversity, while the limited scale of agricultural and pasture lands supports a largely agriculturally based rural lifestyle. These features provide opportunities for nature and ecotourism enthusiasts visiting the region, both for nature walks and documentary observations.
The registered building inventory in Çanakçı includes an archaeological site (Kaledibi Village Castle), a religious structure (Şadı Church), a public structure (Çanakçı Government Office), a residential structure (Beyli Neighborhood wall ruins), and four water structures (Bakımlı Village Bridge, Bakımlı Village Mill, and Karabörk Town bridges). The monumental oak tree in the town center is protected as a natural heritage. These structures bear architectural traces of administration, transportation, and daily life dating from the Ottoman provincial order to the Republican era.
Furthermore, the whistled language (kuşdili), unique to Çanakçı, is an intangible communication technique used for centuries to overcome the barriers of distance created by geography. This tradition, carried on along the transhumance routes, particularly in Kuşköy, has reached international proportions through festivals and has become the subject of academic research. Kuşdili, which serves as a means of communication between neighborhoods, is one of the district's most distinctive symbols of cultural continuity.
Another unique sociocultural element is Hapan Kahvesi (Hapan Coffeehouse). Located on historic highland roads, this venue, with its wood and stone architecture, preserves the typical Black Sea coffeehouse tradition. It serves as a daily gathering place for villagers as well as a stopover for travelers. Its stone floor, wooden counter, and traditional seating arrangement, which bear traces of the past, have become a frequent destination on cultural tours.
Çanakçı cuisine is characterized by a richness of local produce, directly reflected in its culinary culture. Hazelnuts, grown throughout the district, are a staple in both snack and dessert recipes. Additionally, fresh produce such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, and potatoes are harvested from vegetable gardens scattered across the valley floor, and these are used in homemade pickles, olive oil dishes, and savory soups. Experiments with tea plants and kiwifruit add innovative flavor to the region's gastronomy, while local breakfasts are enriched with the specialty of "çökelek" (a type of cheese made from Abdal milk) and fatty cheese. Hot tea, seasonal jam, and hazelnut paste served at Hapan Kahvesi offer visitors the opportunity to both relax and experience the flavors of Çanakçı.
Çanakçı's tourism-culture-culinary triangle, when considered through the lens of protecting natural heritage, repurposing registered artifacts, and supporting local culinary brands, can contribute to both economic and cultural development. Planning nature trails, strengthening the promotion of intangible heritage elements like Kuşdili and Hapan Kahvesi, and establishing local gastronomic routes will facilitate the district's transition to a sustainable tourism model. Thus, Çanakçı can establish itself as a destination offering a contemporary experience to both domestic and international visitors, thanks to its rich ecotourism opportunities, multilayered cultural heritage, and unique culinary tradition.
