Erfelek is a district located southwest of Sinop province. Its economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Fruit cultivation is also practiced in the district. The Tatlıca Waterfalls constitute the district's natural tourism potential.

^{Erfelek (TC Sinop Governorship)}

History

Erfelek's earliest known name is "Cumayanı," and the first documentation of its founding dates back to the 1750s. The settlement, which gained the name "Karasu" upon receiving the honorary sub-district title in 1876, became an official sub-district center in 1911 and district status on April 1, 1960. During the reorganization, the name "Erfelek" was adopted in reference to the forest surrounding it.

Archaeological surveys and local excavations conducted in the district indicate a continuity of occupation extending from the Early Bronze Age settlements dating to 3000 AD to the Byzantine and Roman periods. Major mounds registered by the Preservation Board include Yama Tepe, Harman Tepe, Çiltepe, Kum Tepesi, Kahkültepe, Halil Usta Tepesi, Üvez Yanı, Ören Tepe, Gavur Tepe, Sari Mustafa Tepesi, Tepecik Üstü, and Kıran Tepe. The remains of the aqueduct built by Pliny in the Hasandere Valley around 110 AD to bring water to Sinop also bear witness to the district's ancient transportation and infrastructure policies.

From the Middle Ages, spanning the Byzantine period to the Ottoman period, underground tunnels, rock tombs, caves, and ceramic finds demonstrate the region's continuity as a strategic and local center. Artifacts unearthed during excavations in the villages of Himmetoğlu and Horzum are preserved in the Sinop Museum. Before the 1923-24 population exchange, Greek cemeteries, found in almost every village, bear traces of ethnic and cultural diversity. The Abdurrahmanpaşa, Sarıtekke, Fakı, Halil, Aşık Hasan, Çile, Akpınar, and Kanlı mausoleums from the Ottoman period are now being added to the collective memory through fairs and prayers.

Geography and Climate

Erfelek, with its 410 km² surface area, forms the northwestern border of Sinop. With an 11 km coastline to the Black Sea to the north, the district borders Boyabat to the east, Ayancık to the west, and Boyabat to the south. 68.5% of its area is forested, 29.4% is used as agricultural land, and 2.1% is used as pasture.

The terrain consists of forested mountainous areas in the south and fertile plains traced for 45 km by the Karasu River in the northeast. The delta plain, where the river flows to sea level, creates a topographic and ecological transition zone between the coast and inland areas. The elevation of the district center ranges from 0–300 m and inland from 200–400 m.

The climate is a combination of the humid coastal climate of the Black Sea and the transitional climate seen inland. Along the coast, winters are mild and summers are hot; annual precipitation reaches 600–1,000 mm. In the mountainous areas, summers are hot and dry and winters are cold and rainy; annual precipitation ranges from 400–500 mm. This climate supports chestnut, pine, and oak forests in the coastal areas and black pine and fir forests on the inland slopes.

Population and Demography

The total population of Erfelek district was 11,849 in 2007, increasing to 12,795 in 2024; during this period, increases of 770, 760, and 360 people were observed in 2017–2018, 2022–2023, and 2021–2022, respectively, while decreases were observed at varying rates in the other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 6,429 (50.25%) and the female population was 6,366 (49.75%), with the gender gap generally remaining at a few hundred people. Annual population changes fluctuate due to various factors, such as temporary migration movements, registry updates, and economic factors.

Economy

The basis of the economy in Erfelek consists of a combination of services, agriculture-animal husbandry, forestry and small-scale industrial activities.

• Services and trade: The weekly Wednesday market in the town centre and retail trade that responds to the needs of surrounding settlements increase the share of the service sector in total employment and added value.

• Agriculture and animal husbandry: Due to the current land structure, animal husbandry is widespread, especially in forest villages; chestnuts, apples, pears, cherries, walnuts, hazelnuts, and figs are the leading fruit producers. Greenhouse farming practices continue, albeit limited, with sugar beets and tobacco among the most prominent crops in recent years. The commissioning of the Erfelek Dam, currently under construction, aims to expand agricultural irrigation and increase crop diversity.

• Forestry and timber industry: Since most of the district's lands are forested, timber production and processing of forest products are part of the economic activity.

• Agro-related industries: Small-scale food businesses, such as fruit juice production and chestnut processing facilities, allow for the processing of local raw materials. During the plan period, non-residential urban workspaces were proposed to support production, and incentives for the development of fruit growing and greenhouse farming are on the agenda.

Tourism, Culture and Cuisine

Among the natural assets, Tatlıca Waterfalls, 17 km from the town center, are the most prominent. Twenty-eight waterfalls, arranged in a chain, offer hiking trails of varying difficulty and canyon passages. Asphalt roads and facility infrastructure increase accessibility, making the region a year-round destination. Gebegüneyi Plateaus and Buzluk Forest are other areas that enrich the nature tourism market. Cultural tourism opportunities are complemented by the Ottoman-era mausoleums, stone-carved mosques, and settlement ruins in the town center. Fairs held on certain days of the year serve as both religious ceremonies and economic and social gathering places.

The Erfelek people gather for local festivals and communal worship during shrine visits. Temporary bazaars established around the shrines provide a platform for the display and trade of local products. In folk culture, chestnut gathering and highland migration rituals are among the traditions that nourish collective memory.

Sinop's chestnuts are prominent in the district's cuisine, where "Chesnut-filled Pilaf" (Pilaf with Chestnuts) is a signature dish. Its main ingredients are pre-boiled chestnuts, local cubed meat, rice, chickpeas, pine nuts, currants, and almonds. The meat is first sautéed with thyme, black pepper, and butter. Onions and almonds are roasted in a separate pot, followed by rice, which is then roasted until tender. After the chickpeas and currants are added, the meat and chestnuts are added to the pot. Water is added, the rice is cooked over low heat, and the rice is then allowed to rest before being served. This pilaf is an integral part of both daily and ceremonial meals. Other regional delicacies include ıslama, a dish made with freshwater fish; highland soup, accompanied by village bread; and chestnut honey are popular dishes for both locals and visitors.