Çaykara is a district in Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye, affiliated with Trabzon province. Especially its hosting of Uzungöl has made Çaykara a well-known place for tourism. The district bears the typical natural features of the Black Sea, with its forests, mountains, and plateaus.

History

The history of Çaykara generally parallels the history of Trabzon. The oldest peoples in the region are the Kolkhs, ancestors of the Laz. Later, it came under the rule of the Pontus Kingdom, the Roman Empire, Byzantium, and the Empire of Trebizond. In 1461, it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire with the conquest of Trabzon by Mehmed the Conqueror. According to Ottoman records from 1486, approximately 1277 people lived in the villages of Çaykara. In 1681, the villages fully converted to Islam. In 1915, during World War I, it was occupied by the Russian army. Çaykara, which was a village connected to the district of Of until 1925, gained district status on 1 June 1947. February 27 is celebrated as the district's "Liberation Day."

Geography

Çaykara is located in the southeast of Trabzon. It has a mountainous terrain structure. The Soğanlı Mountains and Haldizen Mountains are located within the district boundaries. The most well-known natural area of the district is Uzungöl. Uzungöl is a landslide-dammed lake formed when the front of the Haldizen Stream was blocked by a landslide. The area around the lake hosts various vegetation and wildlife.

^{Çaykara, Villages ( Pexels)}

Economy

Çaykara's economy is based on agriculture and tourism. In agriculture, especially hazelnuts, tea, and corn are cultivated. In recent years, tourism activities have increased. Especially Uzungöl attracts many domestic and foreign tourists every year.

Uzungöl

Uzungöl is a landslide-dammed lake formed when rocks falling from the slopes blocked the front of the Haldizen Stream. The lake's length is approximately 1000 meters, its width 500 meters, and its depth around 15 meters. The village of Şerah, located around the lake, is in close proximity to the lake in terms of settlement structure. The lake and its surroundings have been declared a "Special Environmental Protection Area" by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

Tourism

Çaykara hosts tourist activities, especially with its hiking trails, accommodation facilities, and restaurants around Uzungöl. Activities such as paragliding, mountaineering, and fishing can be organized around the lake. In addition, Sultan Murat Plateau within the district boundaries is also one of the areas used for tourism.

Education

Education services in Çaykara are carried out by the Çaykara District National Education Directorate. There are various schools in the district. In Çaykara, there are 16 schools, 112 classrooms, 197 teachers, and 1,714 students.

Culture

Çaykara exhibits cultural characteristics specific to the Black Sea Region. Its local cuisine, folk dances, and handicrafts form a part of the region's culture.

^{Çaykara, Uzungöl (Pexels)}

Current Additional Information

• Çaykara has become an important center for nature sports and adventure tourism in recent years.
• In the district, there are restaurants where you can taste the most delicious examples of traditional Black Sea cuisine.
• Çaykara is an important district that keeps the Black Sea culture alive with its traditional plateau culture and festivals.