Suluova , located west of Amasya, is a district where agricultural and industrial activities are carried out simultaneously. The district includes agricultural industrial facilities and organized feedlots. It also contains natural habitats and historical structures.

^{Suluova (Amasya Suluova Public Education Center)}

History

Suluova's settlement history dates back to 2000 BC, with archaeological finds at Kumbettepe, located in the district center, indicating an uninterrupted settlement from the Early Bronze Age onward. The region formed a key strategic point in the Yeşilırmak Valley during the Hittite period, came under Turkish rule during the transition to Seljuk rule, and was annexed to Ottoman rule in 1386. The draining of marshlands during the Republican era and the establishment and commissioning of a sugar factory in 1954 radically transformed the settlement's demographic and economic structure. It gained sub-district status as "Suluca" in 1902, municipality status as "Suluova" in 1946, and district status in 1957.

Geography and Climate

Suluova is located in the inland area of the Central Black Sea Region, 25 km west of Amasya city center. Its surface area is 516 km², and its average elevation is 510 m. The district is surrounded on three sides by low and medium-elevation mountains; the region's highest peak, Akdağ (2,064 m), is in the southeast. To the west, it is connected to the Merzifon Plain. The region's primary water source is the Tersakan Stream, which originates in Lake Ladik and joins the Yeşilırmak in the Amasya Plain. Irrigation provided by the 60 million m³ Yedikır Reservoir, located on this stream and 7.5 km from the settlement, significantly supports the plain's agriculture. While detailed climate data is not available in the sources, its geographical location suggests that it exhibits transitional characteristics between the Black Sea and Central Anatolian climate zones.

Population and Demography

The total population of Suluova district was 47,428 in 2007 and decreased to 47,101 in 2024. During this period, increases of 527, 665, and 115 people were observed in 2007–2008, 2019–2020, and 2023–2024, respectively, while decreases were observed at varying rates in the other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 23,420 (49.72%) and the female population was 23,681 (50.28%), with the difference between the sexes generally remaining at a few hundred people. Annual population changes have fluctuated, which can be explained by various factors such as local registry updates and migration movements.

Economy

The economic structure in Suluova is shaped under three main headings:

Industry

Amasya Sugar Factory (1954): Initially established with a daily sugar beet processing capacity of 1,890 tons, modernization has increased this capacity to 5,500 tons per day, producing approximately 65,000 tons of crystal sugar annually. Molasses and pulp, by-products, are the primary sources of nutrition for the region's livestock. The factory employs a total of 1,142 people.

Small Industrial Site (1995) and Dağcılar Cabin Industry: Workshops that meet the machinery and equipment maintenance and repair needs of local farmers, as well as the production of agricultural machinery such as tractor cabins, combine harvesters and water tankers.
Kozlu Feed, flour and feed factories: In addition to a facility with a daily feed production capacity of 920 tons, three flour factories and two feed factories within the district borders provide processing of grain products and support of animal production.

Agriculture and Livestock

Cattle farming; with 51,000 head of cattle, 9,500 head of sheep and 924,669 poultry animals, the livestock sector, in particular, makes a significant contribution to the agricultural income of the district.
Open-farm fattening projects: Thousands of cattle and sheep are fed in modern facilities in Saluca Village, and a biogas-bioenergy plant manages waste.
Beekeeping: 40 farmer families have approximately 1,800 technical hives and 15 basket hives; annual honey production is around 23,530 kg.
Egg farming: A large-scale poultry farm with a capacity of 900,000 operates around Saluca.

Mining

The Old Çeltek Coal Mine (a privately owned coal mine) in the district center, rich in lignite reserves, produces 150,000 tons of screened coal annually. This mine meets approximately 70 percent of the coal needs of the province and surrounding region's industrial sector. Three private coal mines, two limestone quarries and three more quarries are operated in the district; ongoing exploration activities by the MTA and private companies aim to identify new reserves.

Tourism and Culture

Tourism: The Derinoz Dam on the Tersakan Stream, with its lake and reedbeds, not only serves as an irrigation system but also offers an important birdwatching spot. Yedikır Bird Sanctuary is home to numerous waterfowl on their migration routes. The Gani Baba Tomb and surrounding picnic facilities are among the natural and cultural melting pots.

Culture: In the town of Eraslan in the district center and 38 other villages, folkloric traditions developed over centuries by diverse groups from the Black Sea and Central Anatolia are preserved. Local dances and folk music motifs are still performed in wedding, engagement, and holiday ceremonies.

Suluova (District)