Güce is a district of Giresun province in the Black Sea Region, approximately 55 km from the Black Sea coastal road and approximately 90 km from Giresun city center. According to 2024 ADNKS data, its population is 8,303. The district's economy is primarily based on hazelnut and tea production, and the district was declared a plateau tourism center by the Official Gazette dated January 7, 2020, strengthening its regional tourism potential.

^{Güce ( Source: Giresun Foundation )}

History

The district of Güce is a multilayered settlement located in the inland region of the Black Sea region, which has historically hosted regional defense, migration routes, and the production and trade of agricultural products. The district's name means "cracked wheat, split corn, and vetch" in Turkish lexicon, and some local studies emphasize its semantic affinity with the word "küçe." The origin of this toponym is attributed to the Turanian tribes who settled in the region during the pre-Islamic period, particularly the Küçeli tribe, a branch of the Karluks. Gücesey and the Göcü neighborhood in Kızıltaş village are interpreted as geographical traces of these tribes' presence in the region.

As part of the colonization trends along the Black Sea coastline throughout its historical development, the region was opened to visitation and settlement by the Kastes, Gutians, Muscovites, Tibarians, Cimmerians, Scythians, and Medes, and later by peoples under Persian rule, including the Colchians, Dirils, and Halibes. While it is not known precisely how the commercial settlements established by these tribes along the coast penetrated Guja lands, archaeological and toponymic research in the region indicates a multilayered history of settlement.

The spread of Islam throughout the region accelerated with the Chepni Turks' influx of people from the Upper Kelkit basin, following the Harşit Valley into the interior. This wave of migration, initiated and organized by Chepni leaders such as Melik Ahmed Bey and his son Melik Mehmed Bey from the mid-fourteenth century onward, facilitated the region's adaptation to Turkish rule and laid the foundation for new village settlements.

Within the Ottoman administrative system, Güce and its surrounding area remained a sub-district of the Tirebolu district for many years; in the census records of 1486, it was listed as a fiscal and administrative unit consisting of nine villages under the name Alahnas sub-district. In the first classification efforts after the proclamation of the Republic, Güce maintained its status as a sub-district or sub-district of Tirebolu. Its geographical location and rich forests made it a vital transit route and a vital asset for the local economy.

In 1975, Güce was established by merging the villages of Giyimli, Kemaliye, and Tevekli. This development was the first formal step toward meeting the administrative needs of the region. Subsequently, Güce was separated from the Tirebolu district, to which it was affiliated, by Law No. 3644, dated May 20, 1990, and became an independent district. The district organization became operational on August 5, 1990.

Geography and Climate

Güce is located between latitude 40° 53′ N and longitude 38° 48′ E, with an average elevation of 341 m above sea level. It is 14 km inland from the Giresun–Trabzon coastal road, 49 km from the city center, 18 km from Espiye, 21 km from Tirebolu, and 78.5 km from Ordu–Giresun Airport. The district is bordered by Tirebolu to the north, Tirebolu and Doğankent to the east, Espiye to the west, and the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane province to the south. This location offers both proximity to coastal areas and direct access to inland areas.

Güce's terrain is generally rugged and formed by the western branches of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains. The slopes, rising from north to south, are formed by the Gelevera, Karaovacık, and Karadoğa streams and their tributaries, creating deep, narrow-bottomed valleys. The district's highest point, Ciritli Hill, at 2,120 m, is also home to summits such as Çaldağı, Alitepe, Pehlivantepe, Şıhtepe, Civiltepe, Gürcütepe, and Hambartepe. The terrain, encompassing an area of ​​351 km², is generally steep and fragmented. Geologically, the region formed during the Mesozoic Era and occasionally exhibits Upper Cretaceous volcanic facies. Therefore, its rock and soil characteristics contribute to both the diversity of natural vegetation and the risk of erosion and landslides. The district is located within Türkiye's 4th-degree earthquake-prone zone.

Güce's main streams are the Gelevera, Karaovacık, and Karadoğa streams, which originate within the district and deepen the surrounding valleys. Gelevera Stream takes its name from the Gelevera plateau and is also known as Özlüce Stream. After flowing some distance within the Gümüşhane borders, it enters the Giresun border. Its waters collect in the Gökçebel Dam at an altitude of 1,545 m and continue towards Espiye, joining the Karadoğa Stream. This approximately 80 km-long stream determines the continuity of the region's fluvial regime and the processes of valley formation.

The district's climate exhibits all the characteristics of a typical Black Sea climate. Summers are cool and winters are mild; precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, and humidity is high. This climate ensures the continuity of water resources and nourishes the rich forest cover on the slopes.

Population and Demography

The district of Güce, located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea Region, has a rural center based on agricultural production. Having attained town status in 1975, the settlement was officially elevated to district status by Law No. 3644 dated May 20, 1990, and the district governor's office began operating in 1991. The district center's location at an average elevation of 340–360 meters above sea level has influenced both its climatic and economic characteristics.

According to the 2024 census, Güce has a total population of 8,303. Of this population, 4,232 are male and 4,071 are female; the gender distribution is approximately 51% male and 49% female. The district's population over the last eighteen years has fluctuated between migration and natural increase. Following a peak of 8,839 in 2008, the population declined to 7,740 in 2015 due to limited agricultural livelihoods and the increasing search for economic alternatives. It rose again to 8,574 in 2023, falling to 8,303 in 2024. These fluctuations reflect the trend of internal migration, particularly among young and working-age populations heading to large cities.

In a gender-based analysis, the male population exceeds the female population by approximately 1–2% year-over-year, which can be interpreted as a reflection of the demand for male labor due to agricultural labor intensity. Although detailed data on age groups are not available, the density of the town-village structure suggests that the rural family model and traditional large households remain. A slight population density is observed in the population distribution between the district center and its surrounding villages, with the population of the center estimated at 4,957, while the population of the villages and towns is estimated at 3,346.

In terms of geographical accessibility, the district is approximately 55 kilometers from the center of Giresun, 21 kilometers from Tirebolu, and 18 kilometers from Espiye. Neighboring administrative units include Tirebolu, Doğankent, Espiye, and the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane. This location creates a certain, albeit limited, sensitivity to trade and service mobility, particularly among young people, facilitating their pursuit of education and employment in larger centers.

Economy

The economic structure of Güce district is heavily shaped by geographical and climatic conditions, and is based on specific rural activities rather than diversity. The district's land inventory is generally steeply sloped, with limited flat areas found only in and around the district center. This topography allows for agricultural production to be largely oriented towards hazelnut orchards, while also creating space for the cultivation of tea and other greenhouse crops on a more limited scale. Thus, the backbone of the district's economy consists of modern and traditional hazelnut farming, concentrated on sloping land.

Within the agricultural sector, hazelnut production provides the livelihood for both the district's land and a significant portion of the population. While dense hazelnut orchards occupy most of the arable land, tea cultivation is carried out in the remaining areas. In addition, small-scale cultivation of corn, vegetables, and fruit is also available to meet the local population's own needs. The harvest of these crops contributes directly to the rural economy by being linked to larger regional markets; however, fluctuations in product prices can leave producers facing economic uncertainty.

In addition to agriculture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and forestry constitute other agricultural/accessible activities in the district. Small and large livestock farming, conducted at the barn level, is particularly concentrated during the highland seasons when pastures are suitable. Beekeeping, on the other hand, provides a significant side income thanks to the rich floral diversity of forest and highland ecosystems. Furthermore, the extensive forest presence within the district supports rural income diversity by providing both wood raw materials and the tradability of forest products such as honey, mushrooms, and nuts.

The level of industrialization remains limited, a natural extension of the rural profile, with a privately owned tea factory serving as the only large-scale industrial facility in the district. Additionally, small-scale conversion businesses such as lumber processing and woodworking shops contribute to local employment by transforming locally produced raw materials into value-added products. However, due to increasing competition and logistical challenges, these businesses generally maintain seasonal or piecework production models.

The district, which possesses significant potential for nature tourism, has not yet been able to transform this opportunity into an economic advantage. The rich forest cover, high plateaus, and unique biodiversity offered by the Black Sea climate have not yet been integrated with planned tourism infrastructure and services, resulting in negligible revenue streams from tourism. While current conditions offer opportunities for ecotourism, pedestrian and bicycle routes, and rural tourism models, a lack of investment and promotion prevents this potential from being translated into current economic value.

Transhumance, with its both subsistence and cultural dimensions, plays a significant role in the district's economic and social life. In June and July, locals migrate to the high-altitude plateaus to engage in livestock farming and plateau festivals, fostering the production of milk, cheese, and other animal products, providing seasonal employment opportunities and marketing local handicrafts. The increased population mobility during this period creates a boom in small-scale trade and service sectors.

Handicrafts and local produce also form an integral part of the rural economy. Traditional bread baked over wood fires, the production of Tevekli cradle crafts, wood carving, and the recent growth of carpet and kilim weaving provide supplementary income to households and local markets. These activities contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and hold potential for the development of rural tourism and local branding.

Tourism - Culture - Cuisine

Güce, located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, approximately 57 km from Giresun city center, is a typical highland settlement. Granted district status by Law No. 3644 dated May 20, 1990, the region stands out for its combination of natural and cultural elements. Located 55 km from the Black Sea coastal road and 110 km from Ordu-Giresun Airport, the district was declared the "Güce Highland Tourism Center" in 2020, making it a key highland destination in regional tourism planning.

The district's territory consists largely of gently sloping, branch-forked plateaus; outside the center, flat land is almost non-existent. The highest point is Ciritli Hill, at 2,120 meters. The total area of ​​the tourism center is 1,201 hectares, and landscaping plans have been completed, focusing on the plateau theme, and the master plan was approved in 2023. These plateaus showcase regional folkloric elements at festivals held in June and July, while visitors are offered opportunities for nature walks, photo safaris, and the experience of plateau culture.

Güce's name, which means "settlement," comes from the Turkmen Gücefteroğulları tribe. Traditional highland festivals, preserved in the collective memory of the people in its districts and villages, are enriched with folk songs and local dances accompanied by the horon and kemençe. Ağaçbaşı and Garaovacık are particularly prominent among the highlands. Crafts such as wood carving, tevekli cradle making, and kilim and carpet weaving, which have developed intertwined with highland culture, have been passed down through generations. The locals preserve both their culinary and artisanal heritage by enjoying bread baked in a wood-fired tandoor accompanied by cukka mantı (a type of manti) and traditional highland cheese.

Güce cuisine is shaped by the Black Sea region's rich agricultural products. Fresh sweetcorn and beans, along with kale, wild strawberries, and the regional Mendek soup, are the cuisine's distinctive flavors. Baked beans and green beans, often accompanied by meat dishes, are also featured on the table, while roasted mushrooms are among the delicious alternatives offered by the chestnut forests. Bread baked in a tandoor oven heated over a wood fire is an essential accompaniment to meals. Restaurants offering local breakfast and dining experiences aim to preserve and promote these unique recipes.