Elâzığ

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Elâzığ
City

Seal
Elâzığ
Location of Elâzığ
Coordinates: 38°40′N 39°13′E / 38.667°N 39.217°E / 38.667; 39.217
Country Turkey
Region Eastern Anatolia
Province Elazığ
Government
 • Mayor Mehmet Süleyman Selmanoğlu (AKP)
 • Governor Muammer Erol
Area[1]
 • District 2,211.07 km2 (853.70 sq mi)
Elevation 1,067 m (3,501 ft)
Population (2012)[2]
 • Urban 347,857
 • District 406,300
 • District Density 180/km2 (480/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 23 xxx
Area code(s) (+90) 424
Licence plate 23
Website http://www.elazig.bel.tr/

Elâzığ (Turkish pronunciation: [eˈlazɯː]; Armenian: Խարբերդ; Kh'arberd/Harput, Kurdish: Elezîz/Xarpêt[3], Syriac: ܟܪܦܘܬ; Kharpūṭ/Ḥarfūṭ) is a city in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey and the administrative center of Elâzığ Province. It is located in the uppermost Euphrates valley. The plain on which the city extends has an altitude of 1067 metres. Elâzığ resembles an inland peninsula surrounded by the natural Lake Hazar and reservoirs of Keban Dam, Karakaya Dam, Kralkızı and Özlüce.[4]

Elâzığ initially developed in 1834 as an extension of the historic city of Harput, which was situated on a hill and difficult to access in winter.

Gakgos, which means brother in the local dialect, is also a nickname for the people of Elâzığ. The football team Elâzığspor competing in the top flight is also nicknamed as "Gakgoslar" by the national media.

Etymology

The ancient town and citadel of Harput (Pronounced Kharberd, in Eastern Armenian, and Kharpert in Western Armenian) and meaning "rock fortress" in Armenian, was located about five kilometres (3.1 miles) from modern Elâzığ. In the early Middle Ages, it was also known by its Byzantine name, Charpete (Χάρπετε).

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visit in Elâzığ

In the 19th century, under the reign of Mahmud II, the governor Reşid Mehmed Pasha started an expansion of Mezre, a suburb located on the plain below Kharput. During the reign of Sultan Abdülazîz, military barracks, a hospital and a governor's mansion were built to accommodate the seat of a new vilâyet (province). The town was renamed "Mamuretülaziz" (Ottoman Turkish: معمورة العزيز made prosperous by Aziz in Ottoman Turkish) in 1866 on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the enthronement of Sultan Abdülaziz, although he was not the initial founder. In time the city became known as "Elâzîz" due to its ease of pronunciation. On November 17, 1937, President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk changed the name of the city to "Elazık". However, since this was hard to pronounce in Turkish, on December 10, 1937 the government changed the city's name to its final form, "Elâzığ".

History

The city of Elâzığ was founded among the skirts of the hill on which the historical Harput Castle was constructed. According to the present historical sources, the most ancient inhabitants of Harput was the Hurrian nation who settled in these parts in c2000 B.C.

Harput, and its surrounding region was part of the kingdom of Urartu at the period of its maximum extension.[5]

The ancient town and citadel called Kharput (Kharpert), which means "rocky fortress" in Armenian, was built by the first Armenian kings about five km (3.1 miles) from modern Elâzığ. However, very little written material about this city reached our day. It is possible that Harput stands on or is near the site of Carcathio-certa in Sophene, reached by Corbulo in A.D. 65. The early Muslim geographers knew it as Ḥiṣn Ziyād, but the Armenian name, Khartabirt or Kharbirt, whence Kharput and Harput, was generally adopted in time.

William of Tyre wrote that Joscelin I, Count of Edessa (Jocelyn) of Courtenay, and King Baldwin II of Jerusalem were prisoners of the Amir Balak in Kharput's castle and that they were rescued by their Armenian allies. William of Tyre calls the place Quart Piert or Pierre.

Harput and its vicinity fell under Turkish control in the year 1085 as the outcome of the Manzikert battle on August 26, 1071. The Çubukoğulları, Artuqids, Aq Qoyuns and Ottomans had reigned in the region[6]

Harput is still partly settled today, but due to its high elevation and lack of water it is slowly in the process of being abandoned, with most of its residents moving to Elâzığ. Harput still has a few thousand inhabitants.

Harput was the seat of a Syrian Orthodox bishop as early as the eleventh century, whose diocese was initially called Ḥiṣn Ziyād and later Harput. The last Syrian Orthodox bishop of Harput, Cyril Mansur, was murdered along with many of the town's Christians during the Armenian Genocide and Assyrian Genocide of 1915.[7]

An Armenian Catholic diocese of Kharput was created in 1850.

Republican era

From its foundation until the end of the World War II, the city's growth was somewhat irregular. While the town probably consisted of 10 to 12,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the World War I, the first census conducted by the Republic of Turkey in 1927 counted 20,052 inhabitants. This figure continued to rise to reach 25,465 in 1940, but the general shortages suffered during the World War II years by the neutral Turkey led to an exodus of population, reducing the population to 23,635. From then onward, the city has gone through uninterrupted growth. Harput, in the meantime, acquired the status of a township separated from Elâzığ with a population running around two thousand souls.

Economy

Keban Dam on Euphrates River

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Elâzığ exported raisins, apricots and almonds to Europe. Opium was also grown in the area.[8] Honey was also produced, but not so much exported, but used by locals.[9] Gold was also found in the area in the early 20th century.[10]

The most important factor affecting the growth of Elâzığ since the 1970s has been the construction of Keban Dam and the hydroelectric power plant (5,871,000 kwh/year) with its boulder at a distance of 45 km (28 mi) from the city and the resulting huge dam reservoir. This reservoir covers an area of 68,000 hectares and it flooded around a hundred villages with a hundred others losing a large part of their agricultural lands. Around 20,000 people were forced to move as a consequence of the dam's construction.

Industries connected with the dam such as a cement mill contributed to the growth and, as Ayalon and Sharon points out, to a striking gap between the male and female populations in Elâzığ, the former outnumbering the latter by some eight thousand throughout the seventies, which was a consequence of the move into and settlement in the city of workers employed in the construction effort.

Many of those who were forced to move with the construction of the dam chose to settle in Elâzığ center and the state indemnities paid were invested in houses in Elâzığ or laid a base for small businesses. However, the Keban Dam affected more than 30,000 people and at least 212 villages. Over 80% of families in zones affected by the Keban dam were landless peasants and thus ineligible to receive compensation or peasants with little land who would receive very little money (Koyunlu 1982: 250)

The region of Elâzığ has much mineral wealth, a healthy climate and a fertile soil. Extraction of chrome is an important mining activity.

The dam, the industry and the mining accounts for the high level of urbanization (42.7% in 1970) surpassing the average levels for Eastern Anatolia. The main agricultural activity of the area centers around vineyards and Elâzığ also serves as a market hub for other agricultural products. The state-run vineyards of Elâzığ is notable for its production of Buzbağ, a full-flavored red wine.

Elâzığ today is the capital of the Elâzığ province, a bustling city with a university and an industrial base, although historic monuments are understandably scarce. The exception is of course the ancient Harput citadel and town, a dependency of the greater municipality of Elâzığ today situated three miles (4.8 km)to the north of the city center. The population of Elâzığ consists of Turks, Kurds and Azeris.[11]

Elâzığ is known for being conservative and patriotic. Not a single leftist party has managed to get a candidate elected in the past 34 years. Moreover, the BDP, an ethnic nationalist Kurdish party, has never managed to get an official elected to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in contrary to its neighbouring provinces Tunceli and Diyarbakir.[12] Elâzığ is also the most developed city (and province) in the region according to a report that was carried out by the Ministry of Development, making it the most developed region of Eastern Anatolia Region.[13]

Geography

Elâzığ is situated at the northwestern corner of a 30-mile-long valley, known locally as Uluova (literally the Great Valley). The area's Armenians called this valley "Vosgetashd" (the Golden Plain). Its altitude is 3,300 feet: latitude and longitude are respectively: 38 degrees and 41 minutes North, and 39 degrees and 14 minutes East. Elâzığ Province is surrounded by the Euphrates in the north, and since the completion of Keban Dam the rivers came to cover almost ten percent of the surface area (826 km²) of the province (8,455 km²). Elâzığ's adjacent province borders are with: Tunceli (North), Erzincan (North-West), Bingöl (East), Diyarbakır (South), and Malatya (West).

Climate

Elâzığ has a continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dsa) with cold and snowy winters and hot and dry summers. However, due to the natural and artificial lakes around the city, some partial variations from this climate is experienced.[14]

Climate data for Elâzığ
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 12.4
(54.3)		 17.3
(63.1)		 26.4
(79.5)		 32.2
(90)		 34.4
(93.9)		 38.4
(101.1)		 42.2
(108)		 41.2
(106.2)		 37.8
(100)		 31.7
(89.1)		 21.8
(71.2)		 19.6
(67.3)		 42.2
(108)
Average high °C (°F) 2.8
(37)		 5.0
(41)		 11.3
(52.3)		 17.8
(64)		 23.6
(74.5)		 29.6
(85.3)		 34.3
(93.7)		 34.1
(93.4)		 29.4
(84.9)		 21.7
(71.1)		 12.4
(54.3)		 5.3
(41.5)		 18.94
(66.08)
Average low °C (°F) −4.0
(24.8)		 −3.1
(26.4)		 1.1
(34)		 6.4
(43.5)		 10.5
(50.9)		 15.0
(59)		 19.3
(66.7)		 18.9
(66)		 14.2
(57.6)		 8.9
(48)		 2.7
(36.9)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 7.38
(45.29)
Record low °C (°F) −16.5
(2.3)		 −19.4
(−2.9)		 −17.0
(1.4)		 −5.8
(21.6)		 0
(32)		 6.7
(44.1)		 6.7
(44.1)		 11.0
(51.8)		 1.0
(33.8)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 −15.2
(4.6)		 −17.7
(0.1)		 −19.4
(−2.9)
Precipitation mm (inches) 37.4
(1.472)		 39.1
(1.539)		 50.7
(1.996)		 64.9
(2.555)		 49.5
(1.949)		 12.9
(0.508)		 3.3
(0.13)		 1.2
(0.047)		 8.6
(0.339)		 44.4
(1.748)		 46.1
(1.815)		 42.2
(1.661)		 400.3
(15.759)
Avg. rainy days 11.5 11.4 12.0 12.4 10.7 4.2 1.2 0.7 2.2 7.4 9.3 11.6 94.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 89.9 112 173.6 207 288.3 354 387.5 365.8 300 223.2 144 77.5 2,722.8
Source: Devlet Meteoroloji İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü

Cuisine

Elâzığ cuisine is the second richest among all cities in Turkey with 154 different types of food and drinks according to a study conducted by Ankara Chamber of Commerce.[15] Particularly those originated in the historic city of Harput have an important fame in the region and the country. Apart from famous meat platters most of which include meatballs, naturally dried fruits and vegetables and using them in main dishes is unique to Elâzığ cuisine. Several examples could include:[4]

  • Kofik dolma - stuffed dried peppers or aubergines
  • Kelecoş - fried meat and onion served over a bed of flat bread pieces softened in yogurt
  • İşkene - a breakfast soup containing broth and vegetables
  • Harput köfte - meatballs made with a mixture of minced meat, cracked wheat, herbs and spices boiled in tomato sauce
  • Taş Ekmeği - unleavened flat bread baked over hot stone or hotplate served with butter and jam
  • Işkın yemeği - a wild rhubarb dish
  • Sırın - pan-broiled handmade filo pastry roundels with a layer of yogurt and tomato sauce on top
  • Gömme - baked handmade filo pastry roundels built with a layer of meat filling and a layer of walnut paste
  • Gaygana - a mixture of eggs, yogurt, bicarbonate, and flour drops fried in oil
  • Orcik - walnut halves sewn in a thread, dipped into deep grape syrup
  • Orcik şekeri - caramelised sugar coated walnut pieces

Elâzığ is also very famous with its vineyards, and two types of grape varieties Öküzgözü and Boğazkere.

Transportation

Elâzığ is served by Elâzığ Airport which lies about 12 km (7 mi) from the city center. The airport is the 19th busiest airport in Turkey in terms of passenger traffic.[16] There are daily domestic flights from/to Ankara, Istanbul and İzmir. During summer months there are some international flights from/to cities such as Düsseldorf and Frankfurt as well as from/to Antalya.

There are local companies provide coach service to almost all cities in Turkey. Ferryboat services are also present over the reservoir lakes to supplement highway connections to towns such as Ağın, and Pertek and Çemişgezek of Tunceli.

The Blue Train (passenger express) provides connection from Elâzığ to Ankara.[4]

Education

Elâzığ is home to Fırat University, established in 1975 and since has become one of the leading academic institutions in the eastern Turkey.

Sports

The football team Sanica Boru Elazığspor, founded in 1967, represents the city in the Turkish Super League having been promoted in the 2011/2012 season. The club colors are burgundy and white and the club logo is inspired by the local dance Çayda Çıra performed with candles. Elazığ Belediyespor is another professional football team representing the city in the TFF Third League. Elazığ Atatürk Stadium is the home ground to both teams with a capacity of 14,467 seats.

Hazarbaba Ski Center, at the peak of 2347m Mount Hazarbaba, is a popular ski destination among the locals.

Elâzığ is also home to one of eight major horse racetracks in Turkey. Yurtbaşı Race Course has a capacity of 2,500 spectators and stables have the capacity of stabling around 400 horses.

Notable people from Elâzığ

Attractions

Harput Kalesi (Harput Castle)
  • Fırat University
  • Harput Kalesi (Harput Castle)
  • Buzluk Mağarası (Ice Cave)
  • Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography
  • Hazar Gölü (Lake Hazar)
Sayray Camii in the town of Elazig
Mount Hazar Baba rises above Lake Hazar
  • Hazarbaba Ski Centre
  • Historic Mosques (Cami in Turkish), Churches and Shrines (Türbe in Turkish)
    • Ulu Camii: Built by Artuqid Sultan Fahrettin Karaaslan in 1156. It is one of the oldest and important structures in Anatolia
    • Sarahatun Camii (also known as Sarayhatun Cami): Built by Sara Hatun, mother of Ak Koyunlu Sultan Bahadır Han (also known as Uzun Hasan), in 1465 as a small mosque. It was renovated in 1585 and 1843.
    • Kurşunlu Camii: Built between 1738 and 1739 in Harput during the Ottoman era.
    • Alacalı Camii
    • Ağall Camii: built in 1559.
    • Arap Baba Mescidi ve Türbesi: Built during the reign of Seljuks Sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev III (Son of Kılıçarslan IV) in 1279. The shrine contains a mummified body which is known as Arap Baba among commons.
    • Fetih Ahmet Baba Türbesi (Shrine of Fetih Ahmed)
    • Mansur Baba Türbesi
    • Virgin Mary Church

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Turkey

Twin towns – Sister cities

Elâzığ is twinned with:

Photo gallery

  • Hazarbaba

  • Elâzığ on a snowy day

  • Elâzığ train station

  • Elâzığ

  • Old cemetery of Elâzığ (with a cement plant in the back)

References

  1. ↑ "Area of regions (including lakes), km²". Regional Statistics Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. 2002. Retrieved 2013-03-05. 
  2. ↑ "Population of province/district centers and towns/villages by districts - 2012". Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) Database. Turkish Statistical Institute. Retrieved 2013-02-27. 
  3. ↑ ku:Xarpêt
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.kultur.gov.tr/genel/medya/iltanitimbrosuru-eng/elazig_eng.pdf
  5. ↑ Anatolian Iron Ages: the proceedings of the second Anatolian Iron Ages Colloquium held at İzmir, 4–8 May 1987
  6. ↑ :: Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Culture And Tourism ::
  7. ↑ Fiey, Pour un Oriens Christianus Novus, 216–17
  8. ↑ Prothero, W.G. (1920). Armenia and Kurdistan. London: H.M. Stationary Office. p. 62. 
  9. ↑ Prothero, W.G. (1920). Armenia and Kurdistan. London: H.M. Stationary Office. p. 64. 
  10. ↑ Prothero, W.G. (1920). Armenia and Kurdistan. London: H.M. Stationary Office. p. 74. 
  11. ↑ Elazig - LookLex Encyclopaedia
  12. ↑ Ali Özcan wind in Elazig, 6 October 2011
  13. ↑ The most developed and most undeveloped province, 25 May 2012
  14. ↑ :: Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Culture And Tourism ::
  15. ↑ :. Lezzetli Ülkenin Lezzet Haritası (2008-01-05) - ANKARA TICARET ODASI .:
  16. ↑ "Statistics". General Directorate of State Airports Authority. Retrieved January 29, 2013. 
  17. ↑ "Twin-cities of Azerbaijan". Azerbaijans.com. Retrieved 2013-08-09. 

Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press 

Sources

  • David Ayalon, Moshe Sharon (1986). Studies in Islamic History and Civilization; Article: Ma'mûrat al-Aziz, p. 342 ISBN 978-0-510-03200-5 (in (English)). Brill Publishers. 
  • Alpaslan Koyunlu (1982). Keban Project 1974-1975 Excavations; Article: The Village Settlement of Mumzuroğlu – Observations on Housing (in (English)). M.E.T.U. 
  • Fiey, J. M., Pour un Oriens Christianus novus; répertoire des diocèses Syriaques orientaux et occidentaux (Beirut, 1993)

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