Şalpazarı is a mountain district in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye, affiliated with the province of Trabzon. Bordered by Beşikdüzü and Tonya to the east, Vakfıkebir and directly by Giresun province to the west, the district is 55 km away from Trabzon city center. With an area of 164 km², Şalpazarı is notable for its mountainous and rugged terrain structure. The district is established within valleys extending from the coast towards the inner regions, and its most important river is Ağasar Stream. Şalpazarı, which has a high rate of forest presence, is one of the settlements that preserves its regional identity with both its natural resources and traditional cultural structure.

^{Şalpazarı District of Trabzon (Şalpazarı Municipality)}

History

The historical development of Şalpazarı parallels the general historical process of Trabzon and its surroundings. The region where the district is located remained within the sphere of influence of the Colchis and Pontus civilizations in ancient times; during the Roman and Byzantine periods, it became part of the Eastern Black Sea hinterland. The settlement of Turks in the region began with the incorporation of Trabzon into Ottoman territory in 1461. Administratively, this area was connected to the Tirebolu Sanjak during the Ottoman period, then to Görele district of Giresun in the late 19th century, and subsequently to Vakfıkebir kaza. When Beşikdüzü became a subdistrict in 1936, Şalpazarı subdistrict was also connected to Beşikdüzü. Finally, it gained the status of an independent district affiliated with Trabzon with Law No. 3392 dated 19 June 1987.

Şalpazarı, due to not being located on major transit routes throughout history, has been affected to a limited extent by large-scale migration movements; this situation has contributed to the preservation of the district's traditional social and cultural structure. The settled people of the district, the Çepnis, are one of the 24 Oghuz tribes, and they are Turkmen elements who settled in the Anatolian Seljuk and Beyliks periods. This ethnic and cultural structure is reflected in the traditions still practiced in Şalpazarı today.

Geographical Structure

Location and Borders

Şalpazarı is a district located in the mountainous inland parts, to the west of Trabzon province, situated in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye. The district, which is 55 kilometers away from Trabzon city center, is surrounded by Beşikdüzü and Tonya to the east, and Vakfıkebir and Eynesil district of Giresun to the west. While the northern border of the district does not directly reach the Black Sea coast, its topography, shaped by valleys extending towards the inner regions, forms a natural transition zone separating Şalpazarı from the coastal districts. With an area of 164 km², the district has a narrow and long land structure in the north-south direction. The district's important river is Ağasar Stream, and settlements are largely shaped along the valley formed by this stream. Its natural borders create an administrative unity and transition area with both the western districts of Trabzon and the neighboring Giresun province.

Climate and Vegetation

Although Şalpazarı district is located in the Black Sea Region, since it is situated in inland areas without a coastline, it exhibits a semi-humid microclimate where the maritime influence is reduced. In the district, while the annual precipitation amount is high, together with that, snowfall is more common in winter months compared to coastal districts. The summer season is mild and cool, while winters are cool and rainy. Cloudy and humid weather conditions prevail throughout the year in the region.

These climatic conditions have enabled the development of a rich vegetation cover unique to the Black Sea forest ecosystem. Due to the district's high and rugged structure, the natural vegetation has been largely preserved. Forests consisting of tree species such as beech, hornbeam, oak, chestnut, and spruce occupy a large area around Şalpazarı. Various shrub species and herbaceous plants are commonly found in the undergrowth flora. The topography of the district has caused the vegetation to acquire a layered and, in some places, dense texture.

^{Şalpazarı Kadırga Plateau (Şalpazarı Municipality)}

Economic Structure

The economy of Şalpazarı district is largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Although the mountainous and rugged structure of the district is not suitable for large-scale agricultural practices, the production of hazelnuts in particular, as well as corn, potatoes, and vegetables, are among the main livelihoods of the local people. Especially hazelnut production stands out for its contribution to both family economy and its important place in regional agricultural activities.

Animal husbandry is generally carried out in the form of small-scale family enterprises. Cattle and small ruminant animal breeding has historically been intertwined with the plateau culture in the district. The activity of grazing animals by moving to plateaus in the summer months ensures the continuation of traditional production methods. Based on animal husbandry, the utilization of by-products such as milk, butter, and cheese production for household consumption or limited local sales is common.

Trade and industrial activities are quite limited. In the district, small tradesmen and the service sector operate to meet the basic needs of the public. Especially the district center serves as a shopping and service area for the population coming from villages. Seasonal labor migration from Şalpazarı to surrounding provinces and districts is also an important part of the economic structure.

Demographic Structure

The current population of Şalpazarı district, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) 2023 Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) data, is recorded as 10,760 people. Of this population, 5,365 are male and 5,395 are female individuals. The gender distribution of the population exhibits a balanced structure; the density of rural settlements directly affects the district's demographic structure.

In the district, there are central neighborhoods and nearly 30 villages (settlements with neighborhood status); a significant portion of the population lives in these rural areas. The phenomenon of migration is decisive, especially for the young population, with a tendency towards larger cities for educational and employment purposes. Nevertheless, during the summer months, especially during the plateau periods, there is a temporary increase in population; expatriates return to the district, contributing to social and cultural dynamism.

Education

Education and training activities in Şalpazarı district are carried out through institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. The education infrastructure in the district is distributed among central and village schools, parallel to the settlement structure. As of the 2022–2023 academic year, there are a total of 27 educational institutions in the district. Of these, 10 are pre-school, 8 are primary schools, 7 are middle schools, and 2 are secondary schools (high schools). A total of 135 teachers are employed in educational institutions; 817 students continue formal education​.

High school level education in the district is provided within the structure of Şalpazarı Multi-Program Anatolian High School and Şalpazarı Imam Hatip High School. Within the scope of vocational and technical education, both general and vocational fields are taught under the multi-program high school umbrella. Some middle and primary schools are covered by the bussed education system. Due to the abundance of rural settlements, the bussed education system is widely applied, especially at the middle school level.

The schooling rate is close to the Turkish average; however, due to the decrease in student numbers and migration trends, some village schools are periodically closing or providing services with combined classes. The physical infrastructure of educational institutions in the district is basically sufficient, and from time to time, cultural events, sports activities, and competitions are organized to support students' academic and social development.

Tourism and Culture

Şalpazarı is one of the rare districts in the inner parts of the Black Sea where traditional life is preserved. Historically, being a region densely populated by Çepni Turkmens, the district exhibits an original social structure that reflects the continuity of Turkish culture in Anatolia. The Çepni identity encompasses a wide range of cultural practices, from daily life to weddings, from folk dances to clothing.

Şalpazarı holds potential for nature tourism, especially with its natural beauties and plateaus. Sis Dağı Plateau, Kadırga Plateau, Alaca Plateau, and Ağasar Valley are ideal for activities such as trekking, camping, and nature photography. Traditional festivals held in the plateaus also attract the interest of local and foreign tourists.

The Sis Dağı Plateau Festivals, held annually in the district, are one of the most important events that bring together Şalpazarı's cultural memory and tourism potential. These festivals are held on the third Saturday of July at the foothills of Sis Dağı; they host a large number of participants from surrounding provinces and abroad. The events highlight horons accompanied by kemençe unique to Çepni culture, local costumes, drum-zurna performances, and public discussions. Similarly, the Acısu Plateau Festivals held in the summer months also have a similar cultural gathering character.

^{Şalpazarı Plateaus (Şalpazarı Municipality)}

Cuisine

Şalpazarı cuisine is shaped by the typical products of the Black Sea. Cornbread, cabbage dish, black cabbage soup, kuymak (mıhlama), and corn grits soup are frequently consumed dishes. Additionally, butter and cheese produced in the plateaus hold an important place in household production.