Kovancılar (District)

Kovancılar is a district of Elazığ Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region. It is located approximately 67 kilometers east of Elazığ city center by road. The district lies at the intersection of the Elazığ-Bingöl and Elazığ-Tunceli highways, giving it a strategic position in terms of transportation. The terrain of the district is generally flat and expansive, resembling a broad plain. It is surrounded by the Keban Dam Lake and the Murat River to the west, south, and north, giving Kovancılar the appearance of a peninsula. The ground structure of the settlement area consists largely of alluvial deposits. Due to its location on the Eastern Anatolia Fault Zone, it carries a first-degree earthquake risk.

History and Settlement

The historical roots of Kovancılar are linked to ancient settlements in the region dating back to pre-Christian times. However, the current settlement emerged in the 1930s. Under the 1934 population exchange agreement between Türkiye and Romania, approximately 300 Turkish households from the Tutrakan district of Romania’s Silistra Vilayet were relocated to Türkiye and settled in the Kovancılar plain of Elazığ in 1935. The settlement was established by the state on completely barren and uncultivated land according to a planned design. Houses with adobe walls and stone tile roofs were constructed during its founding. The settlement adopted the name Kovancılar after the village from which the migrants originated. Recognized as one of the first planned villages in the history of the Republic of Türkiye, Kovancılar established its municipal organization in 1967, attained district status under Law No. 3392 dated 19 June 1987, and welcomed its first district governor on 5 May 1988.

Population and Demographics

According to 2014 data, the population of Kovancılar district center is approximately 23,300, while the total population including villages and neighborhoods is around 39,700. The literacy rate in the district stands at 93%. The district includes one municipality, ten neighborhoods, 81 villages, and 68 hamlets. The majority of the population (80%) is engaged in agriculture and livestock farming. Approximately 20% of the remaining population works as laborers in various countries abroad, a situation that significantly contributes to the district’s economic development, particularly in the housing sector.

Cultural and Historical Heritage

Kovancılar district contains several culturally and historically significant structures. These include the Çakırkaş (Hoşmat) Church, the Ekinözü Fountain, and the İbrahim Bey Palace.

Çakırkaş (Hoşmat) Church is one of the important examples of the region’s historical Armenian heritage. The church is located within one of the area’s former settlements and holds architectural and cultural value. However, its current usage and preservation status are limited.

Ekinözü Fountain is among the historical water sources and fountains in Kovancılar and its surroundings. It exhibits traditional Ottoman architectural features and has served as a vital structure for meeting the region’s water needs throughout history.

İbrahim Bey Palace is one of the significant examples of civil architecture from the Ottoman period in the district. The building, believed to have belonged to a local administrator or prominent family, reflects the architectural style of its time and is considered part of the cultural heritage. Although detailed information about its current condition is limited, it remains an integral component of the region’s historical fabric.

Çakırkaş Church (Ministry of Culture and Tourism)

Economy and Agriculture

The economy of Kovancılar is predominantly based on agriculture. Approximately 35% of the district’s land is cultivated through small family-run farms. Agricultural activities are primarily oriented toward cereal and sugar beet production. In recent years, industrial crops (sugar beet, sunflower, melon, watermelon) and vegetable farming (tomato, pepper, etc.) have gained importance. Commercial vegetable farming is especially practiced in Çaybağı and surrounding villages. The Palu-Kovancılar Irrigation Project, completed in 1992, enabled the transition to irrigated agriculture in the district, significantly increasing agricultural productivity and positively impacting the economic structure. The total agricultural land area is approximately 400,000 decares, but only about 5% of this area is under irrigation. Additionally, the production of forage crops is encouraged to support livestock farming.

Industry and Services

In Kovancılar district, the Ferrochrome Factory, one of Elazığ’s largest industrial facilities, operates in Yarımca village. Additionally, ETİ Holding General Directorate and its affiliated companies are major employers in the district. The district’s service infrastructure has developed significantly; telephone infrastructure and GSM operators provide services to all settlement units. National television channels are available, and other channels can be accessed via satellite. The district has a public library and a regional radio station.