Samsun

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Samsun (Greek: Σαμψούντα / Sampsoúnta) is a city in northern Turkey, on the coast of the Black Sea, with a population of 439.000 as of 2006. It is the capital city of Samsun Province and an important port. Samsun was founded as the colony Amisos (alternative spelling Amisus) by settlers from Miletus in the 7th century BC. It was later a part of the Pontus realm.

Samsun was the city where Mustafa Kemal initiated the War of Independence, on 19 May 1919. May 19th is one of the official National Days of Turkey and is celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Climate 4 Economy 5 Places to see 6 Notable natives 7 External links

[edit] History

Samsun's ideal combination of fertile ground and shallow waters has attracted numerous trade interests. Greek colonists settled in the 6th century BC and established a flourishing trade relationship with the Anatolians. At that time, Samsun was part of the Greek colony of Amisus. In the 3rd century BC, Samsun came under the expanded rule of the Kingdom of Pontus. The Kingdom of Pontus had been part of the empire of Alexander the Great. However, the empire was fractured soon after Alexander's death in the 4th century BC. At its height, the kingdom controlled the north of central Anatolia and mercantile towns on the northern Black Sea shores.

The Romans took over in 47 BC, and were replaced by the Byzantines after the fall of Rome. In 1200 Samsun was captured by the Seljuks, to be later taken over by the İlhanlılar. Samsun was incorporated into the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the Ottomans in the beginning of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese razed the town.

The city is a Roman Catholic titular see.

[edit] Geography

Samsun is situated between two river deltas which jut into the Black Sea. It is located at the end of an ancient route from Cappadocia: the Amisos of antiquity lay on the headland northwest of the modern city. To Samsun's west, lies the Kızılırmak ("Red River", the Halys of antiquity), one of the longest rivers in Anatolia and its fertile delta. To the east, lie the Yeşilırmak ("Green River", the Iris of antiquity) and its delta.

[edit] Climate

Samsun has a humid, temperate, marine climate with cool winters and warm summers and high rainfall throughout the year.

[edit] Economy

Samsun is an important Turkish trade centre and port on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Samsun is one of the major Turkish tobacco producer provinces. Under Ottoman rule the land around the town later mainly produced tobacco. The town was connected to the railway system in the second half of the 19th century, and tobacco trade boomed.

[edit] Places to see

• Kultur Sarayi (Palace of Culture). Concerts and other performances are held at the Kultur Sarayi, which is shaped much like a ski jump.
• Archaeological and Atatürk Museum. The archaeological part of the museum displays ancient artifacts found in the Samsun area. The Atatürk section includes photographs of his life and some personal belongings. The museum is open from 8:30 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00.
• The Russian Market (Rus Pazari).
• Statue of Atatürk. By Austrian sculptor Heinz Kriphel, from 1928 to 1931.
• Atatürk (Gazi) Museum. It houses Atatürk's bedroom, his study and conference room as well some personal belongings.
• Pazar Mosque, Samsun's oldest surviving building, a mosque built by the Ilhanid Mongols in the 13th century.
• Karadağ Geçidi (Karadag Pass) (at an altitude of 940 metres). The landscape, on the way to Amasya.

[edit] Notable natives

• Mustafa Dağıstanlı - Two times Olympic gold medalist sports wrestler
• Yaşar Doğu - Olympic gold medalist sports wrestler
• Orhan Gencebay - musician

[edit] External links

• Road map, Samsun province
• Governorships of Samsun
• Samsun Municipality
• Samsun Chamber of Trade and Industry
• Samsunspor football team
• Pictures of the city
• Samsun, local informations
• Armenia history and presence in Samson
• Richard Stillwell, ed. Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites, 1976: "Amisos (Samsun), Pontus, Turkey"

	Districts of Samsun
Samsun | Alaçam | Asarcık | Ayvacık | Bafra | Çarşamba | Havza | Kavak | Ladik | Ondokuzmayıs | Salıpazarı | Tekkeköy | Terme | Vezirköprü | Yakakent

Coordinates: 41°17′N 36°20′E