Oğuzlar, a district of Çorum that stands out for its natural beauty and agricultural products, is particularly known for its walnut production. Obruk Dam and its surrounding natural areas are popular destinations for nature lovers.

^{Oğuzlar ( Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism )}

History

During the pre-Ottoman period, the Oguz region was one of the areas inhabited by communities belonging to various branches of the Oguz tribes who settled in Anatolia after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. The place names that emerged from these waves of settlement continue to exist today as the names of villages, rivers, and localities.

This settlement, known as the Karabörk Divanı (Court of the Karabörk), was also recorded as the "Kacac Özü Divanı" in the Cacabey Foundation Charter of 1272; it served a population of approximately 6,340 within a sub-district structure encompassing villages such as Kızılpelit, Şaphane, Gökçukur, Karacaşehir, and Kozluviran. Records from 1576 indicate that it had divan status and was affiliated with more than twenty of the aforementioned villages.

The settlement, first named Karaviran with the Republican era and then Karaören in the 1950s, gained a municipal organization in 1964; the administrative structure, which was arranged to include seven neighborhoods and six villages in the center, was established as a district with the name Oğuzlar in 1990.

Geography and Climate

The district of Oğuzlar is located in the Central Black Sea region of the Black Sea Region; it is 63 km northwest of Çorum city center, has a surface area of 121 km², and an average elevation of 650 m. The Kızılırmak River borders the district to the southeast, Dodurga to the east, and İskilip to the west. High mountain ranges can be seen to the north and east.

Geologically, the main rock types include limestone, andesite, and gneiss; in addition, metamorphic and intrusive igneous rocks such as phyllite and erosive rocks also occur in the region. River valleys create deep fissures and rugged slopes along their route parallel to the Kızılırmak River, giving the topography a multilayered structure.

The region's climatic characteristics are transitional between the humid, temperate climate of the Black Sea Region and the continental climate of Central Anatolia. Relative humidity increases due to the influence of the Kızılırmak basin, while seasonal temperature variations are relatively hot in summer and low in winter.

As a result of the transitional climate, the vegetation is diverse. Herbaceous species include astragalus and mullein, while deciduous communities such as oak, hazelnut, poplar, and walnut coexist with coniferous communities such as black pine, Scots pine, and juniper.

Population and Demography

The total population of the Oğuzlar district, which was 7,930 in 2007, decreased to 4,794 in 2024. During this period, increases of 184 and 344 people were recorded in 2017–2018 and 2022–2023, respectively, while decreases of varying magnitudes were recorded in the other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 2,351 (49.04%) and the female population was 2,443 (50.96%), 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 administrative record updates and migration movements.

Economy

Because the district's lands are largely mountainous and rocky, agriculture and livestock farming activities can only be carried out in limited areas. These conditions have enabled the development of a single-crop model for agricultural production.

At the heart of the economic structure lies the patented walnut variety "Oğuzlar 77." This walnut variety, with its thin shell, plump kernel, and easy-to-separate properties, can maintain its freshness and nutritional value for one to two years under storage conditions.

Despite its limited production area, Oğuzlar walnuts account for approximately five percent of national walnut production. Harvested walnuts are processed into kernels in both local processing facilities and home workshops before being packaged, a process that contributes to local employment.

Tourism, Culture, and Cuisine

Tourism opportunities are primarily concentrated around the Obruk Dam lake. Water sports such as yachting, speedboating, pedal boating, and canoeing are available on the lake. Bungalow-style accommodations, along with food and beverage facilities along the shore, have the infrastructure to cater to ecotourism activities. The Kızılırmak basin's location on bird migration routes makes the region a suitable location for bird watching and photography. Guests can observe nature along the routes where migrating bird species are observed.

Cultural heritage continues in place names reflecting the settlement of members of the Oguz tribe in Anatolia, as well as in the clothing, language, and customs of the society. The settlement structure, based on records from the Karabörk Divan period, has preserved social organization and ceremonies based on self-sufficiency (such as rain prayers) to the present day.

In the culinary sector, Oğuzlar walnut-based products are a key ingredient. In addition to being consumed directly as a kernel, the walnut is used in local desserts and snacks, and is also packaged and presented for use in gastronomic promotions and gift giving.