Uğurludağ district is located in the Central Anatolia Region, northeast of Çorum. Its surface area is 596 km², its average elevation is 775 meters, and it is 66 km from the central district. Its population in 2024 was 6,282; the district center is comprised of five neighborhoods and 20 surrounding villages.
Uğurludağ ( Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism )
History
The Uğurludağ district has been home to various settlements throughout history. Archaeological finds in the Resuloğlu area, located within the district's borders, indicate that the area was inhabited since the Early Bronze Age (approximately 2500 BC). Excavations near Resuloğlu village have unearthed approximately 200 tombs, richly decorated with burial goods, belonging to the Hattian culture, which predated the Hittite civilization. The artifacts uncovered reveal that the Uğurludağ region hosted a developed local culture in prehistory.
The district's oldest known name is Kızılviran or Kızılören. A small village during the Ottoman period, Kızılören was made a sub-district center within the İskilip district in the early years of the Republic (1929). In 1954, the settlement's name was changed to Uğurludağ, in honor of Mount Urlu, which rises behind the district center. Continuing its development, the settlement gained municipality status in 1969 and was finally legally elevated to an independent district of Çorum province in 1987. Today, Uğurludağ is one of Çorum's youngest districts, administratively comprising five neighborhoods in the district center and 20 villages in its surrounding area.
Geography and Climate
Uğurludağ district is located in the northern Central Anatolia Region, in the western part of Çorum Province. The district's land area is 596 km², and the district center's elevation is approximately 775 meters. Uğurludağ is approximately 66 km from Çorum city center by road.
The district's northwestern border is drawn by the Kızılırmak River and the Obruk Dam Lake on it. The Kızılırmak valley along the district borders and the surrounding reservoir are significant wetlands. The reed beds and puddles that form in these areas provide habitats for various bird species and are among Uğurludağ's natural treasures.
The terrain is generally rugged and undulating. The eastern part of the district is covered with coniferous forests (especially pine), while the southern part has a higher elevation, mountainous, and rocky terrain. Mount Uğurlu (Urlu Mountain), which gives the district its name, is a prominent mountain massif rising near the district center and considered a geographical symbol of the region.
Uğurludağ experiences a continental climate. This climate, unique to Central Anatolia, features hot, dry summers and cold, rainy winters. Average annual precipitation is approximately 450 mm, with most precipitation falling in spring and winter. The continental climate and rugged terrain also shape the district's natural vegetation. Steppe vegetation is common on the lower plateaus, while forested areas are found in the eastern regions with higher elevations.
Population and Demography
The total population of Uğurludağ district was 9,163 in 2007 and decreased to 6,282 in 2024. During this period, increases of 1,235, 2,178, and 2,568 people were observed in 2012–2013, 2017–2018, and 2022–2023, respectively, while decreases were observed at varying rates in the other years. According to 2024 data, the male population was 3,252 (51.77%) and the female population was 3,030 (48.23%), with the difference between the sexes generally remaining at a few hundred people. Annual population changes have followed a fluctuating course, which can be explained by various factors such as local registry updates and migration movements.
Economy
Uğurludağ's economy is largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Because the district lacks industrial facilities or large-scale factories, agricultural production and animal husbandry constitute the primary sources of income for the population. Grain cultivation is the most prevalent agricultural activity; wheat and barley are the main crops grown in almost every village, suited to the district's climate and soil conditions. Legumes and forage crops also play a significant role in dryland farming.
Rice (paddy) cultivation is carried out in the district's wetlands near the Kızılırmak River. The paddy fields in Uğurludağ are an important agricultural production area, providing high yields thanks to irrigation facilities utilizing the river. Therefore, rice production is a significant economic activity in the Uğurludağ region.
Livestock farming is another livelihood as important as agriculture in the rural areas of Uğurludağ. Cattle and sheep (sheep and goat) farming is widespread on family farms in the district. The tradition of moving herds of livestock to cooler, pasture-rich highland pastures (transhumance) continues in some villages, particularly in late spring and summer. This allows animals to graze on natural pastures throughout the summer, allowing them to grow productively. Furthermore, the preservation of the centuries-old tradition of transhumance remains a part of the local culture.
Aside from agriculture and livestock farming, the district's trade and service sectors are largely small-scale, focused on meeting local needs. While businesses in the district center cater to basic consumer and service needs, Uğurludağ generally maintains its rural character. In recent years, the potential for alternative income streams based on the district's natural and cultural assets has been brought to the forefront, and future development in areas such as nature and cultural tourism is anticipated.
Tourism and Culture
The mountainous plateaus of Uğurludağ offer a unique atmosphere for both nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking to experience the long-standing nomadic culture of the highlands. As part of an economic structure based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and still continuing in some villages today, villagers migrate to the foothills during the spring and summer months to establish traditional sheepfolds. This process provides vivid examples of social solidarity and adaptation to the region's climate. The pine-covered eastern forests and the rocky areas to the south are equipped with trails, camping areas, and observation points dedicated to annual scouting camps, nature walks, and caravanning, enabling the sustainable development of ecotourism.
The Kızılırmak River, which borders the northwest of the district, and the Obruk Dam area have become important centers for birdwatching and photo safaris thanks to the rich bird diversity harbored by the wetland ecosystems. In terms of cultural heritage, the Resuloğlu Archaeological Site, excavated since 2003, has yielded stone cist graves dating back to the Early Bronze Age, approximately 200 burials, and grave goods from the Hattian civilization. These findings provide detailed information on ancient funerary rituals and the social structure of the period. As one of the few Early Bronze Age cemeteries in northern Anatolia, Resuloğlu is a focal point for both scientific research and cultural tourism. Thus, Uğurludağ, with its traditional highland culture, rich natural landscape, and deep archaeological history, offers visitors the opportunity to experience a comprehensive cultural and tourism experience.
