Yozgat (Province)

Yozgat, a city in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye, stands out for its historical heritage, geographic location, and activities in agriculture and livestock farming. Bozok is situated on the Bozok Plateau and has been home to numerous civilizations throughout history, lying along the major important trade routes of Anatolia. Known during the Ottoman period as the Bozok Sanjak, Yozgat attained provincial status after the proclamation of the Republic and has continued its development. Today, its structure is changing due to declining rural populations and migration movements, with the economy largely based on agriculture and livestock. The city also attracts attention through its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical structures.

History

Yozgat in Antiquity

Yozgat has been an important settlement area throughout history due to its fertile soils and strategic location. Archaeological excavations have shown that human habitation in the region dates back to the 3000s BCE. Alişar Höyüğü is recognized as a significant center from the Hittite period onward. The Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines all held dominion over Yozgat’s territory.

During the Hittite period, Yozgat and its surroundings became one of the key centers of the Hittite Empire; excavations at Alişar Höyüğü have uncovered artifacts from this era. After the collapse of the Hittites, the region came under the control of the Phrygians and Lydians, followed by the Persians. Yozgat, located on the Persian “Royal Road” trade route, fell under Macedonian rule during the Hellenistic period as Alexander the Great advanced eastward.

In the Roman period, the area was noted for the important city of Tavium, which was used as a commercial center by the Romans. Yozgat’s territory retained its significance during the Byzantine era, particularly from the 7th century onward, becoming vulnerable to Arab raids.

Sarıkaya Roman Baths – Yozgat Provincial Directorate

Seljuk and Ottoman Periods

After the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071, Yozgat came under Seljuk rule. Seljuks undertook various construction activities in the region, building roads, caravanserais, and mosques. During the Mongol invasions, the region suffered major harm, and subsequently came under the control of the Ilkhanids and the Eretna Beylik, like other Turkish states in Anatolia.

During the Ottoman period, Yozgat was known as the Bozok Sanjak and became one of the important administrative centers of the Ottoman State. In the 18th century, the Çapanoğlu family assumed governance of the region under Ottoman authority and made significant contributions to Yozgat’s development. The Çapanoğulları built mosques, caravanserais, and other structures, transforming Yozgat into a culture and commercial hub.

National Struggle and Republican Period

Yozgat served as a venue for important events during the War of Independence. Uprisings in Yozgat in 1919 resisted the National Movement, but following the struggle led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the region came under the control of the Turkish Army.

After the proclamation of the Republic, Yozgat became one of Türkiye’s developing provinces, with economic structures strengthened through reforms in education and agriculture. In 1927, by a decision of the Grand National Assembly, the name “Bozok” was changed to “Yozgat”.

Geographical Structure

Location and Boundaries

Yozgat lies in the eastern part of the Central Anatolia Region, between 34–36 east longitudes and 39–40 north latitudes. The province borders Sivas to the east, Kırıkkale and Kırşehir to the west, Çorum and Amasya to the north, and Nevşehir and Kayseri to the south. With an area of 14,074 km², Yozgat covers approximately 1.8% of Türkiye’s total land area.

The highest elevation within the provincial boundaries is Hamzasultan Hill at 2,272 meters. To the north of the city lie the Deveci Mountains, and to the south lies the Bozok Plateau. The majority of Yozgat’s terrain consists of rolling plains and plateau areas.

Climate

Yozgat exhibits the typical continental climate characteristics of the Central Anatolia Region. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and snow rainy. The annual average temperature is 9.5°C, with the coldest months being January and February, and the warmest months being July and August. The average annual precipitation is 525 mm, with the highest rainfall occurring in spring and winter months.

Microclimatic features are observed in some districts. Particularly Çekerek and Aydıncık districts exhibit relatively milder climatic conditions due to their lower elevations.

Landforms

The topography of Yozgat consists of rolling plains, plateaus, and highlands. In terms of landform structure, plateaus cover 51.4%, mountains 37.7%, and valleys 10.9%. The main rivers are tributaries of the Yeşilırmak and Kızılırmak basins.

Yozgat Aerial View – Yozgat Provincial Directorate

Plateaus

Yozgat lies on the Bozok Plateau, one of the largest plateau areas in the Central Anatolia Region. The plateau, deeply incised by the Kızılırmak and Delice Rivers, decreases in elevation toward the northwest and west. Its average elevation ranges between 1,200 and 1,400 meters. The southern part of the plateau is covered with lava flows, where rivers have carved deep valleys.

Mountains

Mountainous areas cover a wide portion of the province. The most important row mountains in Yozgat are:

• Akdağlar (2,072 m): Extending along the Kızılırmak Valley and forming a natural boundary with Sivas.
• Deveci Dağları (1,907 m): Located north of the Bozok Plateau and forming a boundary with Tokat.
• Gevencik Dağı (1,607 m)
• Zincirli Dağı (1,633 m)
• Korkenez Dağı (1,524 m)
• Sırıklıdağ (2,076 m)

Valleys

Valley areas in the province are limited and generally formed by alluvial deposits in depressions between hills. The most important valleys are:

• Boğazlıyan Valley
• Yerköy Valley
• Sarıkaya Valley These valleys contain fertile agricultural land, with cereal production being particularly widespread.

Natural Resources and Minerals

Yozgat possesses various mineral deposits due to its underground resources. The main minerals extracted throughout the province include:

• Lignite: Low-calorie lignite coal deposits are found in the districts of Sorgun and Yerköy.
• Fluorite: Fluorite reserves in Akdağmadeni are utilized as industrial raw materials.
• Iron: Small-scale iron ore deposits exist in the districts of Çandır and Kadışehri.
• Salt: Natural salt deposits in Sorgun constitute an important economic resource.
• Marble: High-quality marble deposits are found in Akdağmadeni and its surroundings.

Rivers and Dams

The main rivers within the provincial boundaries are:

• Delice River: A major tributary of the Kızılırmak, flowing through Yozgat’s territory.
• Kanak Stream: An important river flowing through Çekerek district and joining the Yeşilırmak.
• Bozok Creek: One of the largest surface water sources in Yozgat city and its surroundings.

The major dams within the provincial boundaries are:

• Yahyasaray Dam
• Uzunlu Dam
• Gelingüllü Dam
• Musabeyli Dam

Population and Demographic Structure

The population structure of Yozgat has undergone significant changes over the years. The province’s population, which reached 682,919 in 2000, declined due to migration waves to 432,560 in 2014 and further to 413,161 in 2024. This situation has placed Yozgat among Türkiye’s provinces with the lowest population growth rates.

Population Distribution and Change

• Size Ranking: Yozgat ranks 48th among Türkiye’s provinces by population. The majority of the provincial population is concentrated in the central district, with the largest districts being Sorgun and Akdağmadeni, and the smallest being Çandır.
• Urban and Rural Population: In 1965, 84.6% of the provincial population lived in rural areas; this percentage has steadily declined and reached 38.55% by 2014. Currently, the majority of the population resides in urban centers and district seats.
• Age Distribution: The proportion of children and youth in Yozgat is decreasing while the elderly population is increasing. As of 2023, the dependency ratio stands at 51.8%, a result of youth migration and low birth rates.

Migration Trends and Population Decline

• Yozgat ranks 77th out of 81 provinces in Türkiye in terms of net migration rate. Particularly the youth population migrates to large cities due to limited educational and employment opportunities.
• Due to migration, the rural population has rapidly declined, with a migration pattern moving first to the provincial center and then to other provinces.

Economy

The Yozgat economy is predominantly based on agriculture and livestock farming. As of 2001, the agricultural sector accounted for 28.4% of the province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), ranking first. Although the agricultural sector’s share has gradually decreased, as of 2021, 77.3% of the provincial population still works in agriculture. Developing agro-based industry is considered vital for the province’s economic growth.

Manufacturing industry in Yozgat is also showing development. The province has skilled labor in metal products, textiles, food, and mineral products sectors. Its classification in the 5th investment incentive zone provides advantages for investment. In 2012, exports amounted to 9.6 million TL while imports reached 18.4 million TL. Leading manufacturing sectors include food, mineral products, apparel, and furniture production.

Investments in mining and energy sectors are also importance in Yozgat. Due to its distance from seaports, access to international markets for industrial production remains challenging. However, sectoral investments and incentives are strengthening the province’s economic dynamics.

Yozgat Organized Industrial Zone – Yozgat OSB

Infrastructure

Yozgat is a developing city in terms of transportation networks, educational institutions, and city transportation systems. Within the city, buses and minibuses are used as common transportation.

Urban Transportation

The public transportation system in Yozgat consists of minibuses and municipality buses. Urban mobility is provided through public transport and taxi services.

Universities and Educational Infrastructure

Yozgat hosts one state university:

• Bozok University: Established in 2006, it provides educational services through multiple faculties and vocational schools.

Districts

• Akdağmadeni
• Aydıncık
• Boğazlıyan
• Çandır
• Çayıralan
• Çekerek
• Kadışehri
• Sarıkaya
• Saraykent
• Sorgun
• Şefaatli
• Yenifakılı
• Yerköy
• Yozgat (Central)

Historical Structures

Çapanoğlu Mosque

Constructed in 1779 during the Ottoman period by the Çapanoğulları family, it is one of the city’s most important architectural works. The mosque was built with two minarets and a single dome.

Kerkenes Ruins

The Kerkenes Ruins, located in the Sorgun district, are the remains of an ancient city founded by the Medes in the 6th century BCE. The walls and temple remains uncovered during excavations hold significant archaeological value.

Basilica Therma (Sarıkaya Roman Baths)

This bathhouse, dating to the Roman period and located in the Sarıkaya district, is among the most important historical remains in the region. The hot water springs remain active to this day.

Çeşka Underground City

This underground city, located in a region near Yozgat city center, dates to the Byzantine period and was used for defensive purposes.

Administration

Governor

The governorship of Yozgat is currently held by Mehmet Ali Özkan. The governors who have served in the city from the past to the present are:

• Ali Rıza Bey (1927–1931)
• Ali Galip Bey (1931–1932)
• Bekir Sami Baran (1932–1936)
• Abdullah Fevzi Gürel (1937–1940)
• Saip Okay (1940–1944)
• Sadri Aka (1944–1946)
• Kazım Demirer (1946–1947)
• Osman Şahin Baş (1947–1949)
• İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil (1949–1950)
• Hayrı Özlü (1950–1951)
• Muzaffer Kuşakçıoğlu (1952–1953)
• Adil Aktan (1966–1970)
• C. Orhan Mirkelam (1972–1975)
• Amir Çiçek (2006–2010)
• Necati Şentürk (2010–2012)
• Abdulkadir Yazıcı (2012–2016)
• Kemal Yurtnaç (2016–2018)
• Kadir Çakır (2018–2020)
• Ziya Polat (2020–2023)
• Mehmet Ali Özkan (2023–Present)

Municipal Administration

The administration of Yozgat Municipality is currently led by Kazım Arslan as of 2024. The mayors who have served in the city from the past to the present are as follows:

• 3 September 1950 Fevzi Ayan
• 13 November 1955 Hayri İnal
• 17 November 1963 Salim Korkmaz
• 2 June 1968 Salim Korkmaz
• 9 December 1973 Bekir Cevdet Dündar
• 11 December 1977 Yaşar Erbaz
• 25 March 1984 Cemil Çiçek
• 26 March 1989 Mehmet Erdemir
• 27 March 1994 Mehmet Erdemir
• 18 April 1999 Mehmet Erdemir
• 28 March 2004 Yusuf Başer
• 29 March 2009 Yusuf Başer
• 30 March 2014 Kazım Arslan
• 31 March 2019 Celal Köse
• 31 March 2024 Kazım Arslan