Laçin gained district status in 1990. Located north of Çorum, it is densely populated by rural settlements. Agricultural activities are widespread in the district, and historical structures such as the Kapılıkaya Rock Tomb are also present.
Laçin (Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)
History
Known traces of settlement in the Laçin region date back to the Hellenistic Age, with a Hellenistic rock tomb in the Kırkdilim area. The Kapılıkaya Rock Tomb, dating to the 2nd century BC, is a monumental structure carved into the northwest corner of a rock mass extending northward. It features a square-plan tomb chamber and a cross motif painted in ochre, known as "İkezios," at its entrance. The two landings and 20-step staircase at the entrance reveal architectural arrangements related to burial rituals. The Ahmetdede Tomb in the district center, with its foundation stones, documents the continuation of pre-Ottoman architectural traditions; the hilltop structure contains stratigraphic findings and foundation remains indicating early settlement. The process of acquiring district status began administratively with the unification of the two villages known as Büyüklaçin and Küçüklaçin under Law No. 3644 dated May 20, 1990. Laçin, which was connected to the Çorum region simultaneously with the Dodurga and Oğuzlar districts during the Republican Period, has been structured within the framework of its current borders and administrative structure since that date.
Geography and Climate
Laçin is located on the northern foothills of the Central Black Sea Mountain Range, 29 km from Çorum city center. With a surface area of 214 km² and an average elevation of 720 m, the district borders Osmancık to the north, Dodurga and Oğuzlar to the west, Hamamözü to the east, and Çorum city center to the south. The topography is characterized by deep valleys and steep rocky surfaces due to river erosion in the north, and extensions of Köse Mountain and Eğerci Mountain, which reach elevations of 1,750–1,765 m in the south. These mountains and valleys are home to forested areas (oak, beech, black pine, and fir); deep valleys and rocky surfaces coexist in the Kırkdilim region. The climate is a transition between the temperate Black Sea climate and the continental climate of Central Anatolia: snowfall and low temperatures are observed in winter, and high temperatures and low relative humidity in summer. The average annual rainfall is 530.2 mm, and the precipitation regime is concentrated in the spring.
Population and Demography
The total population of Laçin district, which was 7,058 in 2007, decreased to 4,336 in 2024. During this period, increases of 168 and 672 people were recorded only in 2017–2018 and 2022–2023, respectively, while decreases were recorded at varying rates in the other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 2,259 (52.10%) and the female population was 2,077 (47.90%), with the gender gap generally remaining at a few hundred. Annual population changes have followed a fluctuating course, which can be explained by factors such as local registry updates and migration movements.
Economy
Laçin's economy is based on primary sector activities. Agricultural production focuses on grains (wheat, barley), legumes (chickpeas), and, in areas with irrigation, rice and sugar beets. The agricultural workforce will employ a significant portion of the resident population of 4,336 by 2024. In the secondary sector, the Çorum–Laçin Provincial Road Project, initiated with a contract dated January 24, 2018, included the construction of an 8.62 km standard divided highway, a total of 8,182.13 m tunnels, and critical engineering structures. This infrastructure investment aimed to increase transportation capacity and reduce logistics costs. The tertiary sector includes agricultural marketing activities, centrally located commercial units, and day-trip accommodation and facility services. Recreational areas such as the Yeşilgöl Recreation Area and Çatak Nature Park provide additional sources of income for the local economy.
Tourism - Culture - Cuisine
Among the tourist attractions is the Kapılıkaya Rock Tomb in the Kırkdilim area. This Hellenistic-era monumental tomb is situated on a rock slope surrounded by deep valleys, 27 km from the settlement. Highwayside landscaping provides visitors with parking and an observation deck. The Ahmetdede Tomb in the town center, with its foundation remains and simple architectural layout, serves as a chronological bridge to the early period. Within the scope of nature tourism, one of the "Kızılırmak Basin Gastronomy and Hiking Trail" routes begins in Kırkdilim Village and extends over forest roads to the Ahmetdede Tomb and the center of Laçin. The old Osmancık road is also considered an alternative route. The Yeşilgöl Recreation Area offers daily recreation opportunities with a lakeside walking track and small waterfall formations originating from the water in the spring. Çatak Nature Park is equipped with infrastructure that meets recreational standards. The cultural heritage is woven through the juxtaposition of Hellenistic burial rituals and pre-Ottoman tomb traditions. In terms of gastronomy, the Gastronomy Walking Path promotes local agricultural products, with grains, legumes, and regional sugar beet products available to consumers at facilities along the route.
