It is located in the northeast of Erzurum province and is situated on the border of the Eastern Anatolia Region and the Eastern Black Sea Region. It is bordered by Oltu to the east, İspir to the west, Yusufeli to the north, and Tortum districts to the south. The district center is established on the valley floor of Tortum Stream. Due to the valley's location, microclimate features are also observed. In the lower parts of the valley, the effects of the Black Sea climate are seen.

^{Uzundere (Uzundere Municipality)}

History

Uzundere district has a history of approximately 3000 years. Throughout its historical process, the district remained under the domination of the Hittites, Scythians, Sakas, Persians, Choruh Bulgarians, Eastern Romans, Suvars, Abbasids, Sassanids, Ardahan-Artvin Bagratid State, Kingdom of Vaspurakan, Seljuks, Atabegs, Mongols, Karakoyunlu, and Akkoyunlu. Most recently, it was incorporated into Ottoman lands during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent.

In the Erzurum Provincial Yearbook dated 1883, the director of Uzundere sub-district is mentioned as Şerif Ağa. During World War I, due to the Russian occupation, the district's population migrated to Western Anatolian provinces in 1916. This process is called "muhacirlik" (emigration/refugee status). Uzundere district was liberated from occupation by the Turkish army on March 16, 1918.

Uzundere, which was previously a sub-district center of Tortum district, gained district status with the administrative regulation made in 1987.

Geography

Uzundere is located on the Erzurum-Artvin highway, within the Tortum Stream valley. Its distance to Erzurum is 84 kilometers. Its altitude from the sea is 1050 meters, and its area is 840 km². Tortum Lake, with an area of 6,625,000 m², is located within the district's borders. The lake's length is 10,800 meters, its width is 600-1000 meters, its depth is 40-50 meters, and its altitude is 1027 meters. Tortum Waterfall, also located within the district borders, is 22 meters wide and 50 meters high.

Among the important mountains in the district are Ziyaret Tepe (2755 m), Tav Dağı (2244 m), Murat Tepe (2234 m), Kıllı Dağ (2530 m), Hergavur Dağı (2835 m), Ak Dağlar (3030 m), and Mescit Mountain Range (3238 m). Tortum Stream, which merges with Oltu Stream and İspir Water, flows into the Black Sea as the Çoruh River.

The climate is generally of the Eastern Black Sea climate type. Precipitation is intense in spring and autumn seasons. The average temperature is 8°C, and the average annual precipitation is 435 mm. Tree species such as Scotch pine, oak, spruce, juniper, elm, poplar, and linden are found in the district. Various fruits and vegetables, excluding citrus, are produced in the valleys due to the microclimate effect.

Population

According to the 2024 Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Uzundere's population is 7,664. The population was 7,598 in 2017 and 12,209 in 2000. In 2023, there was a -0.5% change in population. A large part of the population lives in rural areas. Mobility is observed in the district center due to tourist areas. While the density of the elderly population is noticeable in the age structure, an increase in the proportion of the young population is also observed.

Economy

Uzundere's economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. There are small businesses producing fruit orchards, grain farming, organic honey, mulberry molasses, fruit pulp (pestil), and walnut sausage (köme). Beekeeping activities have increased in recent years.

Tourism and Culture

Uzundere is a transition point with Black Sea culture. Georgian architectural influence is observed. Folklore, folk dances, and culinary culture are diverse. Among the local dances is Uzundere Barı.

Historical and Natural Places

• Öşvank Church: It is a Georgian structure located in Çamlıyamaç village. It was built between 958-966.

^{Öşvank Church (Uzundere Municipality)}

• Tortum Lake and Waterfall: They are natural formations that occurred in the 1700s.

^{Tortum Waterfall (Uzundere Municipality)}

• Köttek Cave: It is located in steep rocks near the district center.
• Uzundere Houses: They bear old architectural features.
• Altınçanak Village Gravestones: They are thought to belong to the Akkoyunlu period.
• Zugar Picnic Area: It is a natural picnic area.
• Glass Observation Terrace: It is a tourist observation area with a view of Tortum Lake.

^{Glass Observation Terrace (Uzundere Municipality)}