Doğankent is a small, mountainous district located along the Harşit Valley, east of Giresun. It is particularly notable for its hydroelectric power plants and the thriving agricultural lands surrounding the Harşit Stream. Due to its naturally rugged topography, the district's economy is shaped by hazelnut production and forest products.
Doğankent ( Doğankent Municipality )
History
Harşit village, considered the ancestor of Doğankent, was recorded in Ottoman census records of the 15th and 16th centuries as a settlement consisting of approximately 21 households, located on the left bank of the stream, under the name Harşit. During the same period, some of the Chepni Turks who wintered in the valley descended to the area where the present-day district center is located, forming the first satellite communities from 1380 onwards. After Mehmed the Conqueror annexed the Black Sea coast to Ottoman rule in the 1460s, Harşit became a vibrant village within the Ottoman provincial administration, and economic activities specific to the period, such as falconry, strengthened the local community's infrastructure.
According to a summary book dated 1530, the village of Harşit was considered one of the region's important centers, with a population ranging between 100 and 200. Statistics from 1837 indicate that the Harşit sub-district was part of the Kürtün-i Bala district, with approximately 350 households in 12 villages comprised of Muslim Turks. At that time, the names of village imams and headmen were individually recorded, demonstrating that Harşit was not only a demographic but also an administrative center.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the Harşit district was at times annexed to the districts of Tirebolu and Torul, influenced by geographical conditions and economic relations. Villagers' requests for annexation to Tirebolu, based on proximity and transportation advantages, were formalized through telegrams and memorandums submitted to the Trabzon Provincial Council in 1915 and 1916. Short-term decisions were made, and then the district was returned to Torul in 1922. These fluctuations reflect the diversity of economic and social ties Harşit established with both coastal and inland administrative centers.
During the early years of the Republic, Harşit continued its existence as a sub-district (township). By a decree published in the Official Gazette on July 10, 1964, the name Harşit sub-district was changed to "Doğankent," a reference to the hydroelectric power plant in the area. This new name, with its "new city" meaning, symbolized both geographical and economic transformation. Subsequently, with Law No. 3644 dated May 25, 1990, the Doğankent sub-district organization was abolished, creating a fully-fledged district center within Giresun.
After attaining district status, Doğankent strengthened its local service network by establishing its own municipal and district governorship structure and updated its neighborhood and village organization. This process redefined not only administrative boundaries but also the local community's access to public services and local development priorities. Harşit's ancient village identity has merged with Doğankent's contemporary district status, creating a multilayered local identity encompassing both historical continuity and future dynamics.
The district of Doğankent encompasses a comprehensive evolution, from its medieval settlement beginning with the name Harşit, to its shifting allegiances within the Ottoman provinces, its name change during the Republican era, and finally its rise to the district center in 1990. This evolution demonstrates how both the settlement geography and the region's economic and administrative dynamics form a mutually reinforcing whole. Drawing on this legacy, Doğankent represents the experience of transforming into a contemporary district in the Black Sea's inner belt while preserving its unique historical and cultural fabric.
Geography and Climate
Doğankent is a district located in the inland Black Sea region, nestled among the deep canyons of the Harşit Valley. The district center, approximately 30 km from the coastline and 79 km from the city center, corresponds to the latitude coordinates of 40°48′35″ N and longitude coordinates of 38°54′59″ E. Doğankent, with an area of approximately 123 km², has an elevation of approximately 190 m at the valley floor, while the surrounding mountain ridges reach elevations exceeding 3,000 m.
The topography, following the deep valley of the Aksu (Harşit) Stream, consists of steep slopes, steep rocky ridges, and narrow valley floors. Village settlements on both sides of the valley are situated on terraced areas in the form of stairs on the steeply sloped soil. Çatalağaç Waterfall, exceeding 20 meters in height, located in the village of Erikdere (formerly Şadı), in addition to the main valley, is the most prominent geomorphological element of the river canyon formed along the valley. The rocks in the region are mostly metamorphic gneiss, marble, and schist, which determine the risk of landslides and water erosion on the slopes.
The main tributary of the Harşit Stream originates in the Gümüşhane Mountains and flows through Torul, Doğankent, and Tirebolu, reaching the Black Sea. Part of the Aksu Stream's tributaries within the district, it is fed by spring snowmelt and heavy autumn rainfall. Low summer flow facilitates pedestrian crossings suitable for rural tourism, while high winter and spring flows offer small-scale hydroelectric potential; a hydroelectric power plant established in 1967 for this purpose has injected economic dynamism into the region.
Doğankent's climate is transitional between the humid, temperate coastal regime of the Black Sea and the continental conditions of Central Anatolia. Average annual precipitation is significantly higher than in the coastal zone, exceeding 1,300 mm. While precipitation is distributed year-round, it is concentrated in autumn and winter, with a relatively dry summer period. Winters are mild and rainy, while higher elevations experience short-term snow cover. Summers are cool and humid, with daily maximum temperatures rarely exceeding 25 °C; average daily temperatures in winter range between 6 and 8 °C. Due to the deep valley, day-night temperature differences are limited in summer and early autumn, but traces of continental influences are visible on the higher slopes.
Alluvial deposits on the valley floor create deep, water-holding soils that are home to wheat, corn, and vegetable crops. On the slopes, thin soil layers give way to broadleaf forest belts containing native oak, hornbeam, and beech, followed by coniferous forests such as spruce and fir. In some settlements with forest village status, forest products (mushrooms, blueberries) are cultivated through cooperatives.
The district center lies on both banks of the Harşit River, in a narrow valley floor convenient for road access. The Tirebolu–Torul state highway is asphalt, while the village roads are stabilized and maintain full connection with seasonal passes. While the rugged terrain precludes mass settlement beyond the valley band, where settlements are concentrated, population dynamics shift to the highlands for half the year due to highland migration.
Doğankent represents a typical example of the inland Black Sea region; with its settlements nestled in deep valleys, high mountain ridges, abundant rainfall, and rich hydrological resources, it serves as both an ecological and socioeconomic transition zone. These topographical characteristics create a multilayered natural and human environment where agriculture, animal husbandry, hydroelectricity production, and limited-scale tourism activities coexist. Future sustainable land use and infrastructure planning must balance the opportunities and constraints presented by this complex zone.
Population and Demography
The demographic structure of the Doğankent district, using current population data, illustrates the population dynamics of a small-scale settlement located in the inland Black Sea region. As of 2024, the total population was recorded as 6,588; the gender distribution is close, with 3,409 male (51.75%) and 3,179 female (48.25%). This distribution indicates Doğankent's relatively homogeneous socio-economic structure and agricultural and animal production methods based on both male and female labor.
Population data for the past 18 years show that Doğankent's population reached 6,881 in 2007, peaked at 7,081 in 2009, and then fluctuated generally between 6,500 and 7,000, declining to 6,588 in 2024. This fluctuation reflects the impact of migration dynamics frequently observed in inland districts, particularly the migration of young people to coastal cities and major metropolises in search of education and employment. Declines, particularly between 2010 and 2012, can be attributed to agricultural productivity issues and limited local employment opportunities, while the recovery between 2018 and 2020 can be attributed to the partial revitalization of small-scale tourism and hydroelectric investments (the HEPP facility, which has existed since 1967).
Based on the settlement structure, the central population accounts for approximately 30-35% of the district's population, while the remaining 65-70% is distributed among the highland and village settlements. Seasonal highland migrations, particularly during the spring and summer months, increase the population of some neighborhoods and villages, revealing that the actual population distribution varies significantly throughout the year. While recorded population figures do not fully capture these seasonal fluctuations, this dynamic should be considered an important factor in seasonal infrastructure planning and service delivery.
While official data on Doğankent's population age structure is limited, regional trends suggest that the 0-14 age group accounts for just under 20% of the total population; those aged 15-64 account for around 65%; and those aged 65 and over account for between 15-18%. In this context, the younger generation's tendency to migrate to coastal cities is leading to a long-term decline in fertility rates, raising the elderly dependency ratio and increasing demand for social and healthcare services.
The population growth rate has fluctuated over the years. After a period of stability between 2012 and 2015, a slight decline was observed between 2016 and 2018, followed by a partial recovery between 2019 and 2021, and finally, small-scale increases between 2022 and 2024. This acceleration appears to be related to investments in ecotourism, highland festivals, and rural tourism, which have become widespread and mature outside of agriculture, as well as improvements in public services.
Economy
While the primary sector forms the backbone of the district, mining, energy, agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry activities form a complementary composition on the valley floors squeezed into narrow areas and the surrounding steep slopes.
Mining exploration in Çatalağaç village is reviving Ottoman-era galleries that indicate the presence of metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and iron. Granite quarries operating beneath the village of Güvenlik provide raw materials for the construction industry and contribute to the rural economy by providing employment. Although the revitalization of mining operations has diminished over time due to road costs and technical challenges, it opens the door to potential economic diversification.
Two hydroelectric power plants located on the Harşit River play a critical role in the district's economic transformation. Doğankent I HEPP, with its 49.97-meter-long, 24.28-meter-wide, and 14.45-meter-high dam building and 4x8.2 MW Francis turbine units, generates hundreds of thousands of megawatt-hours annually with its 180-meter head. Doğankent II, meanwhile, utilizes a 190.6-meter head with a single 41.7 MW turbine, offering significant added value to rural development. Hydroelectric generation offers a sustainable model compared to thermal power plants in terms of its low operating costs, energy security, and regional income sources.
Nearly half of the population relies on agricultural income. Hazelnut orchards, established on sloping lands using terraced arrangements, are the district's most important commercial product, supporting both regional exports and family economies. Additionally, vegetables such as corn, beans, and potatoes are produced on small plots in the valley floor. In recent years, efforts to expand tea cultivation and project-based fruit cultivation, such as walnuts, kiwifruit, and dwarf cherries, are aimed at increasing agricultural diversity. These production models utilize microclimate advantages to contribute to both food security and rural development.
Cattle and sheep farming not only meet the family's own needs but also enable the marketing of milk and meat products in excess of their needs. While not widespread in villages, permanent beekeeping contributes to rural income through flower and chestnut honey production. Freshwater fishing, particularly through trout farms, creates new employment opportunities, thus integrating traditional animal production with modern animal husbandry.
In settlements with forest village status, cooperatives established through public-private partnerships ensure the valorization of wood and non-wood forest products (such as mushrooms, blueberries, and henna). This structure paves the way for both sustainable forest management and the socio-economic empowerment of rural communities.
Commercial veins, which began with coppersmithing, blacksmithing, and tinsmithing in the Seljuk and Ottoman periods and continued with early industrial activities such as "drapery," evolved into agricultural production with the Republic. Metal and coal transport via the Harşit River linked Ottoman trading colonies with the natural resources of Anatolia. The first hydroelectric power plant, which became operational in 1967, carried this historical line into modern energy production.
Culture - Tourism - Cuisine
The district municipality's "Culture and Arts" unit protects and preserves both tangible and intangible cultural heritage through free courses, a calendar of exhibitions and events, and photo and video galleries to meet the social and artistic needs of the local community. The "Borsch Regional Cooking Competition," held annually in May, provides an opportunity to reinterpret recipes passed down through competition and sharing. Such events contribute to the strengthening of social memory, intergenerational interaction, and the visibility of local identity. Furthermore, the municipality's handicrafts and folk dance workshops serve as a bridge between generations, transmitting the region's long-standing traditions of coppersmithing, weaving, and wood carving to current generations.
Doğankent's geographical richness allows for a diverse range of tourism destinations. Erik Deresi Waterfall, 5 km from the town center, is an ideal spot for nature walks and picnics with its sparkling water cascading from a height and narrow valley corridors. The 25-30-meter Doymuş Waterfall in Doymuş Village offers a visual richness within the surrounding lush forest and offers visitors recreation and photography opportunities year-round. Keldaş Plateau and the adjacent Kayabaşı Plateau, which increase their tourism potential with both historical and ecotourism perspectives, not only bear traces of World War I but also attract enthusiasts of nature photography and relaxation with the region's unique flora, endemic plants, and cool summer climate. The wooden accommodations on these plateaus pave the way for the development of boutique establishments offering experiences intertwined with nature.
Chief among the local recipes is Karalâhana Soup, considered the invigorating starter of the region. This soup, combining kale, cracked corn, and beans with butter and onion sautéing, is a heartwarming tradition during cold weather. Fasulye Diblesi is a hot dish layered with corn flour and beans, finished in butter; Isırgan Yağlaşı (nettle dish) is an energizing early spring delight, combining nettles from the region's clean streams with garlic yogurt and flour. Karalâhana Diblesi and Siron (a phyllo-based wrap and yogurt dish) are essential for breakfast and light meals, while Mısır Ekmek (cornbread) is a staple on every table. These dishes are prepared with handcrafted recipes passed down through generations, and in addition to the delicious flavor they bring to the table, they are also central to the local community's rituals of solidarity.
Doğankent's sustainable development perspective is based on the coordinated development of nature tourism, cultural events, and local culinary practices. Combining waterfall and plateau routes, local guide services, and boutique accommodation options with gastronomic tours allows visitors to explore both the natural and cultural layers of the region. For example, meeting the chefs at the Beetroot Soup competition after a hike to Erik Deresi Waterfall or experiencing nettle or siron at dinner on Keldaş Plateau offers an integrated model that enhances the impact of tourism on the local socio-economic vitality. Municipally-organized workshops and festivals, combined with traditional culinary education and nature-based activities, support both economic diversification and cultural continuity.
