Niğde (Province)

Niğde Province is located in the southeastern part of Türkiye's Central Anatolia Region. With an elevation of 1,229 meters, city is one of the region's important settlement centers, with a population of 372,708 according to 2023 data.

The History of Niğde

Ancient Age

The history of Niğde extends back to the Hittite period. The settlement known as "Nahita" has traces dating as far back as 5000 BCE. In addition to the Hittites, the Assyrians, Phrygians and Medes dominated the region. During the Persian period (546 BCE), the region came under satrapal administration and was incorporated into the Hellenistic Kingdom following Alexander the Great's conquest of Anatolia. In 17 BCE, the Roman Empire took control of the area.

Byzantine Period

When the Roman Empire split in 395, Niğde remained within Byzantine territory. During this period, the city of Tyana (Kemerhisar) became a major center. From the 7th century onward, the region suffered repeated raids, and Tyana was largely destroyed in 931. One of the most important remains from the Byzantine era is the Gümüşler Monastery.

Seljuk Period

Following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Niğde came under Seljuk rule. During the reign of II. Kılıç Arslan, the city became an important center and was adorned with significant works such as the Alaaddin Camii (1223) and the Hüdavent Lady Türbesi (1312). After the Battle of Köse Dağ in 1243, Niğde fell under Mongol invasion and came under Ilkhanid administration. In 1357, the Karamanids began their rule.

Ottoman Period

Niğde was incorporated into Ottoman territory during the reign of Bayezid, but after the Battle of Ankara in 1402, it reverted to Karamanid control. Ultimately, it was definitively brought under Ottoman rule in 1471. During the Ottoman period, it remained as a district center within the K seems you've provided only the word "Karaman" without additional context. In encyclopedic terms, "Karaman" typically refers to:- A historical region and former principality in central Anatolia, now part of modern-day Türkiye - A city in south-central Türkiye, the capital of Karaman Province If you are referring to the city or region, the English translation remains **Karaman**, as it is a proper noun and place name that is not translated.**Karaman** Eyalet. According to 16th-century tax registers, the city had 29 neighborhood and a population of approximately 4,000 to 5,000. In the 19th century, Niğde developed through its vine and gardens, with trade and craftsmanship coming to the fore.

Republican Period

With the proclamation of the Republic, Niğde attained provincial status in 1923. The city gained significant commercial and social momentum after the railway opened in 1933. During the 1960s, it continued to grow through the construction of official buildings, expansion of educational institutions, and industry investments. Niğde University, established in 1992 (today Ömer Halisdemir University), has made a major contribution to the province's development.

Geography

Niğde lies between 37°10' and 38°58' north latitudes and 33°10' and 35°25' east longitudes. Niğde borders Aksaray, Nevşehir, Mersin, Adana, Kayseri and Konya provinces. Geographically, it forms the southern boundary of the Mediterranean Region with the Bolkar Mountains and Aladağlar. The districts of Çamardı and Ulukışla lie within the Mediterranean Region.

Landforms

The northern and eastern parts of the province have a rugged structure, while the central, southern and west areas exhibit a flatter topography. The Niğde Massif in the north averages 2,000 meters in elevation and features peaks reaching up to 2,700 meters. Demirkazık Peak (3,734 m) is the highest point in the region. The Aladağlar, located in the east and reaching the same elevation as Demirkazık Peak at 3,734 meters, are bounded by the Ecemiş Fault and feature steep cliffs. The central and western areas, covered by volcanic rocks, lie at elevations of 1,000 to 1,200 meters, with elevations increasing southward to reach 1,500 meters near Başmakçı Village. Significant elevations include Hurç Dağı (2,887 m), Karabel Tepe (2,014 m), and Koyak Tepe (2,396 m). While the north and east have a rugged structure, the south and west have a flatter topography. Demirkazık Peak (3,734 m) is one of the highest points in the region.

Vegetation

Due to low precipitation, steppe and steppe plant vegetation are widespread throughout the province. Forested areas are limited and occur primarily on the higher slopes of the Taurus Mountains, Hasan Mountain and Melendiz Mountains. In lower elevations, steppe plants, shrub species and drought-resistant grasses common prevail.

Rivers

• Ecemiş Suyu: Originates in the Aladağlar and flows near Çamardı before joining Güngör Deresi, a tributary of the Seyhan River.
• Karasu Deresi: Rises near Aktaş and flows north to south. It receives the Kerci Deresi near Gümüşler and the Uzantı Deresi through the center of Niğde city before disappearing into the Bor Plain. The Akkaya Dam is located on this river.
• Uluırmak: Originates in the Melendiz Mountains and is fed by springs from the Asmasız and Ramat regions. It flows through Çiftlik and the Melendiz Plain before reaching the Ihlara Valley.

Lakes

• Narlıgöl: Of volcanic origin and also known as Nar Gölü, this lake is rich in minerals and fed by hot springs, with saline water.
• Akgöl, Alagöl, Çinigöl, Yedigöl, Karagöl: Cirque lakes formed by glacial erosion in the Bolkar Mountains and Aladağlar.
• Crater Lakes: Volcanic crater lakes located on Hasan Dağı and Göllüdağ.

Climate

Niğde has a land climate, with hot and dry summers and cold and snow rainy winters. The annual average temperature is 10°C, with the highest recorded temperature at 37.7°C (July) and the lowest at -21°C (January).

Winds

The dominant winds in the province are Poyraz from the north, Lodos from the southwest, and Kıble from the east. Particularly in winter months, Poyraz lowers temperatures, while in spring months, Lodos causes air temperatures to rise.

Precipitation Regime

The annual average precipitation in Niğde is 0.9 mm, with the highest rainfall occurring in April month (78.5 mm) and the lowest in July (0.2 mm). Precipitation during winter months typically falls as snow, while in spring it occurs as rain.

Population

In 19th-century censuses, approximately 10,385 people lived in the city; this number increased during the Ottoman period. Following the proclamation of the Republic, population growth continued, with railway and industrial investments contributing to demographic expansion.

According to 2024 data, Niğde's total population is 372,708. The female population is 186,509 and the male population is 186,199.

Economic and Social Structure

Niğde's economy is based on agriculture, animal husbandry and industry. Niğde Central Organized Industrial Zone, Bor Leather Organized Industrial Zone and Birko Koyunlu A.Ş. carpet factory form the backbone of the city's industrial infrastructure.

Niğde ranks first in Türkiye in the number of Apple trees and accounts for approximately 25% of potato production. Additionally, the Bor Leather Organized Industrial Zone and Niğde Central Organized Industrial Zone are among the province's key industrial centers. Birko Koyunlu A.Ş. carpet factory and traditional handicrafts hold an important place in the city's commercial life. Particularly Niğde carpets have found buyers in international markets.

Niğde, besides being a major center in agriculture, animal husbandry and industry, also attracts attention through its tourism potential and historical richness. With educational and infrastructure developments during the Republican period, the city continues to be one of the key pillars of regional development. Its location within the Cappadocia region, along with its archaeological sites and natural beauty, has drawn attention. Since the Republican era, Niğde has also made significant progress in education, culture and infrastructure. With major transformations in its population and economic structure, the city will continue to be one of the important centers of regional development in the future.

Culture

Folk Songs

Niğde has its own regional anonymous folk songs.

^{Niğde Bağları, an anonymous folk song. Performed by: İlhan SANCAKTAROĞLU. Rhythm, Instrument and Vocals: Recep ADIYAMAN. Mix Mastering: Çağdaş ÖZMEN.} https://nigde.ktb.gov.tr/TR-291405/nigde-turkuleri.html

Legends

The main legends associated with the Niğde region are as follows:

• Kesikbaş Türbesi: At the request of Mevlana, Şems Tebrizi was sent to Anatolia by Hacı Bektaş Veli. After being killed and beheaded, he is said to have returned to his dergah and surrendered his soul.
• Gülbaba Türbesi: During Sultan Murad IV's Baghdad campaign, Misali Baba, who provided food for the soldiers, became known as "Güllü Baba" due to his humility. The area where he lived later became known as Güllüce Village.
• Narlıgöl: A greedy village population was cursed by a beggar, causing the village to sink beneath the waters. Only the bride who helped him survived, but when she turned back out of curiosity to see the village's destruction, she lost her life there.
• Alaaddin Camii: The master builder, consumed by hopeless love for the daughter of the sanjakbey, carved her face into the stones. Even today, it is believed that her face appears on the mosque's door through the play of light.
• Niğde Elması: After a shepherd shared his apple with a dervish, the dervish's prayer endowed the Niğde apple with a unique fragrance, taste and seeds. The apples, bearing a star-shaped pattern in their center, are linked to this prayer.
• Keçi Kalesi: A besieged castle was captured when the enemy created a deceptive illusion by tying torches to goats' horns. Because of this event, the castle was named "Keçi Kalesi."

Traditional Handicrafts

• Palancılık: A traditional craft in Niğde, involving the making of saddle-like, frameless, hay-filled packs known as "topak berdi" for animals such as horses, donkeys, camels and mules. Learned through master-apprentice relationships, this trade persisted for centuries in Niğde's villages due to the necessity of animal transport. Today, palancılık is continued by a few masters in Bor district for tourist purposes, producing seats and stools.
• Çancılık: A long-standing traditional craft in Bor district of Niğde, as in Anatolia generally, used historically for communication, decoration and signaling. Bell-making involves cutting, hammering, riveting and annealing metal sheets, with sound quality being the most important element. Today, this craft is being preserved by Ayhan Demirörs, registered by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a "Traditional Handicrafts Master."
• In Niğde, carpet weaving was historically an important livelihood and has been practiced for centuries in Çamardı, Ulukışla, Bor and surrounding areas. Carpets woven with traditional motifs and natural dyes are now produced only on order in Obruk Village, affiliated with Bor district, and are being sustained by the Niğde Carpet Weavers Union. Despite declining interest, traditional Niğde carpet motifs are being preserved and re-woven through courses opened in various villages and towns.

Historical and Cultural Tourism

Niğde is a city noted for its historical and natural attractions. Its location within the Cappadocia Region enhances its tourism appeal. Historical sites such as the Gümüşler Monastery and the Ancient City of Tyana significantly increase the region's visitor potential. Thermal springs, mountain and winter tourism opportunities, along with its rich historical fabric and archaeological sites, are among the factors that could establish Niğde as a major tourism center. The city's main rivers include Ecemiş Suyu and Uluırmak.

Gümüşler Monastery (http://www.nigde.gov.tr/gumusler)

Niğde's main tourist and cultural sites include:

1. Gümüşler Monastery: A well-preserved Byzantine monastery famous for its frescoes. One of Niğde's most important historical structures.
2. Tyana Ancient City (Kemerhisar): A significant settlement from the Roman period, notable for its aqueducts and ancient ruins.
3. Alaaddin Camii (1223): Built during the Anatolian Seljuk period by Niğde Emir Zeynüddin Beşare. One of the most important examples of Seljuk stone craftsmanship.
4. Hüdavent Hatun Türbesi (1312): An important structure from the Seljuk period, possessing significant cultural value for its stone craftsmanship and architectural details.
5. Niğde Castle: Located in the city center, the castle was used during the Byzantine and Seljuk periods and has undergone various renovations over time.
6. Göllüdağ Archaeological Site: An important archaeological area containing remains from the Hittite period, with artifacts spanning from antiquity to the present.
7. Ecemiş Suyu: A natural attraction of great importance for nature tourism and one of Niğde's primary water sources.

These tourist and cultural sites reflect Niğde's historical richness and natural beauty.

Administrative Structure

Niğde, with an area of 731,200 km², has 5 districts, 29 municipalities, 23 towns and 131 villages. The current municipality president is Emrah Özdemir.

Districts

Niğde has five districts:

• Altunhisar
• Bor
• Çamardı
• Çiftlik
• Ulukışla

Governors

The current governor is Cahit Çelik. The governors who have served in Niğde are listed below:

Asım Bey 23.10.1924 - 09.03.1925

Salih Cemal GÜLEN 19.03.1925-06.11.1925

Hüsnü Bey 14.11.1926-20.09.1931

Sakıp BEYGO 20.09.1931-27.05.1933

Ziya Bey 27.05.1933-20.11.1936

Faik ÜSTÜN 22.11.1936-11.07.1939

İsmail Sefa APAYDIN 29.07.1939-25.05.1942

Fevzi GÜREL 08.06.1942-19.06.1942

Hamit ONAT 01.07.1942-23.03.1943

Raşit DEMİRTAŞ 04.05.1943-10.06.1944

Ahmet Niyazi MERGEN 24.12.1944-06.02.1947

Yahya Ömer ERYETKİN 30.02.1947 -28.07.1949

Tevfik KUTLAR 29.07.1949-16.06.1950

Saadettin ERTÜRK 28.07.1950-17.05.1951

Hasip KOYLAN 18.05.1951-16.02.1953

Taki GÜRKÖK 08.06.1953-15.06.1956

Sedat TULGA 16.06.1956-25.09.1956

Hilmi İNANÇ 29.09.1956-19.05.1958

Hayrettin NAKİPOĞLU 31.07.1958-03.02.1959

Mahmut Nedim EVLİYA 20.02.1959-27.05.1960

Ahmet ÖCAL 27.05.1960-13.06.1960

Niyazi TOKER 13.06.1960-25.10.1960

Dündar EGEL 27.10.1960-13.05.1961

Vefik KİTAPÇIGİL 17.06.1961-05.07.1963

İbrahim ÖZTÜRK 05.07.1963-27.01.1966

Enver KAZANOĞLU 28.01.1966-18.09.1970

Hüseyin ÖĞÜTCEN 18.09.1970-28.06.1971

Selami CELAYİR 30.06.1971-19.07.1975

Zekeriya ÇELİKBİLEKLİ 21.07.1975-13.02.1978

E. Berki KOÇOĞLU 15.02.1978-06.12.1979

Behçet GÜLER 10.12.1979-10.09.1980

İlhan SÖZGEN 12.09.1980-25.10.1980

Bedri NAZLIOĞLU 26.10.1980-06.09.1982

Ünal ÖZGÖDEK 20.09.1982-29.02.1988

Ahmet ÖZYURT 29.02.1988-14.08.1991

Tuncer PERÇİNLER 19.08.1991-21.02.1992

Muammer GÜLER 27.02.1992-27.09.1993

Zeki ŞANAL 27.09.1993-24.06.1994

Mevlüt ÇETİNKAYA 01.07.1994-15.04.1996

Adil YAZAR 17.04.1996-04.10.1999

Refik Arslan ÖZTÜRK 05.10.1999-07.02.2003

Gündüz BEDER 11.02.2003-10.12.2007

Sebahattin ÖZTÜRK 12.12.2007-04.10.2009

Alim BARUT 04.10.2009-06.08.2013

Necmeddin KILIÇ 15.08.2013-01.06.2016

Ertan PEYNİRCİOĞLU 01.06.2016-29.06.2017

Yılmaz ŞİMŞEK 30.06.2017- 18.05.2022

Mustafa KOÇ 18.05.2022-09.08.2023

Cahit ÇELİK 17.08.2023-