Samsun, Turkey

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Samsun, Turkey

Region: Samsun

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Geographic Coordinates: 41.290300, 36.333600

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 1335716

Language: Turkish

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Samsun is a coastal city situated on the Black Sea in Turkey. It serves as a significant center for culture, Education, And economy and is the largest city in its region. The city has a fascinating history that dates back to ancient times, With settlements from as early as 5th century BC. One of Samsun’s most renowned sites is the Ataturk Museum that pays tribute to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – the founder of modern Turkey. The museum houses numerous artifacts related to his life and accomplishments, Including personal belongings and photographs.

Visitors can immerse themselves in interactive exhibits that showcase his role in shaping modern Turkey. Samsun offers several beautiful beaches along its coastline where visitors can indulge in swimming or sunbathing while admiring views of the Black Sea. Carsamba Beach is one such beach that boasts crystal-clear waters and soft sand. For history buffs, Samsun has several ancient ruins worth exploring such as Amisos Hilltop Necropolis – dating back to Hellenistic times containing tombs carved into rock faces.

Gazi Museum & Tomb Complex built-in honor of Gazi Osman Pasha – an important military leader during Ottoman rule – also deserves a visit. In addition to historical attractions, Samsun also boasts a vibrant culinary scene with many traditional dishes unique to this region of Turkey like hamsi pilavı (rice cooked with anchovies), Mısır çorbası (corn soup), And pide (a type of flatbread). Overall, Samsun offers visitors an excellent mix of history, Culture, Natural beauty, And delicious cuisine making it one of Turkey’s hidden gems not be missed by travelers seeking something off the beaten path.

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1. Amisos Hill is an ancient hilltop settlement that features ruins of a fortress and residential buildings.
2. The Bandırma Ferry Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of the Turkish War of Independence and is housed in a historic ferryboat.
3. The Gazi Museum is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
4. The Samsun Atatürk Cultural Center hosts concerts, plays, and other events.
5. The Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum displays artifacts from ancient civilizations that lived in the area.
6. The Samsun City Hall Building is an impressive building that houses local government offices.
7. The Samsun Pazar Mosque is a beautiful mosque located in the city’s central market area.
8. Taşhan Caravanserai was built during Ottoman times as an inn but now serves as a shopping center for traditional Turkish goods.
9. Tekkeköy Cave Houses are traditional cave homes carved into rock formations on a hillside overlooking the city.
10. The Yakakent Beaches are located about 50km from Samsun and feature beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters.

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1. Agriculture: Samsun is known for its fertile soil and favorable climate, which makes it an ideal place for agriculture. The region produces a variety of crops such as tobacco, hazelnuts, corn, wheat, and cotton.
2. Textile industry: Samsun has a thriving textile industry that produces cotton fabrics, yarns, and knitted fabrics.
3. Tourism: Samsun is a popular tourist destination because of its rich history and natural beauty. The city has many museums, parks, and beaches that attract visitors from all over the world.
4. Shipping industry: Samsun is a major port city on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The port handles large amounts of cargo including agricultural products like nuts and tobacco as well as industrial goods.
5. Construction industry: In recent years there has been significant growth in the construction sector in Samsun due to increased demand for housing and infrastructure development projects.
6. Manufacturing industries: Other manufacturing industries located in or around Samsun include food processing plants, furniture factories, chemical plants, and automotive parts manufacturers among others.
7. Education sector: There are several universities located within or close to the city which have become important centers for research & development activities attracting students from different parts of Turkey & abroad making education one of the most important sectors in terms economic contribution to local economy.

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1. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s landing in Samsun on May 19, 1919, which marked the start of the Turkish War of Independence.
2. The Battle of Amisos in 47 BC between Julius Caesar and Pharnaces II, King of Pontus.
3. The ancient city of Amisos (modern-day Samsun) was a major trading center during the Hellenistic period.
4. Hulusi Behçet, a renowned dermatologist who discovered Behçet’s disease, was born in Samsun.
5. Şemseddin Sami Bey, a prominent writer and lexicographer who authored Kamus-i Türki (Turkish Dictionary), was also born in Samsun.
6. Yusuf Ziya Özcan, an influential Islamic scholar and former rector of Istanbul University, hailed from Samsun as well.
7. Mehmet Ali Yılmaz, former chairman and president of Trabzonspor football club also originated from this region.
8. İsmail Kahraman served as the Speaker for the Grand National Assembly from 2015 to 2018 and is also from Samsun.
9. Several notable poets such as Ahmet Muhip Dıranas and Cemal Süreya were born in this city too.
10. Famous actors like Ediz Hun also hail from this region.

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1. Samsun Museum showcases the history and culture of the region, exhibiting ancient artifacts to modern art.
2. Gazi Museum is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s life and achievements, the founder of modern Turkey.
3. Bandırma Ship Museum features a replica ship that carried Atatürk from Istanbul to Samsun in 1919, marking Turkey’s War of Independence beginning.
4. Pazar Mosque dates back to the 14th century and is known for its intricate tile work and unique architecture.
5. Samsun Atatürk Cultural Center hosts a variety of events such as concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions.
6. Amazon Village showcases traditional village life in Anatolia located on the outskirts of Samsun as an open-air museum.
7. Amisos Hill Necropolis dates back to Hellenistic times with elaborate tombs decorated with intricate carvings at an ancient burial site.
8. İlkadım Mosque is one of Samsun’s oldest mosques known for its beautiful Ottoman-era architecture and stunning tile work.
9. Bafra Castle offers stunning views over the Black Sea coast located just outside Samsun in Bafra district as a medieval castle.
10. Çiftlikköy Thermal Springs are natural hot springs believed to have healing properties popular for relaxation and rejuvenation.

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1. Samsunspor: Founded in 1965, Samsunspor is a professional football club that plays in the TFF First League. The team has won the Turkish Second Division twice and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990-91.
2. Anakent FK: Established in 2004, Anakent FK is a local football club that competes in the Samsun Amateur Football League.
3. Canik Belediyespor: Canik Belediyespor is a multi-sport club based in Samsun that participates in various competitions such as volleyball, basketball, handball, and athletics.
4. Bafra Belediyespor: Bafra Belediyespor is another multi-sport club from Samsun that fields teams for football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.
5. Yolspor Kulübü: Yolspor Kulübü was founded in 1987 as a cycling club but later expanded to other sports such as athletics and martial arts. The team has won numerous national championships over the years.
6. Atakum Belediye Spor Kulubu: Atakum Belediye Spor Kulubu was established in 2016 as a local sports organization that aims to promote physical activity among residents of Atakum district through various programs and events including football tournaments and fitness classes.

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1. Samsun International Jazz Festival: This festival is a week-long event that brings together jazz musicians from around the world to perform concerts and hold workshops.
2. Samsun International Film Festival: This event showcases films from Turkey and other countries, with screenings taking place in various venues throughout the city.
3. Samsun Rock Festival: This popular music festival features rock bands from Turkey and other countries.
4. Atatürk Cultural Festival: Celebrating the life and legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, this festival includes cultural events, exhibitions, and performances.
5. Black Sea Folklore Festivals: Held annually in Samsun and other cities along the Black Sea coast, these festivals celebrate traditional music, dance, costumes, and cuisine of the region.
6. Samsun International Children’s Theater Festival: This event features theatrical performances for children by local and international theater groups.
7. National Sovereignty Day Celebrations: On April 23rd each year, Turks celebrate their national sovereignty with parades, speeches by political leaders, fireworks displays and other festivities in Samsun as well as across Turkey.
8. Ramadan Festivities (Ramazan Bayramı): A three-day celebration marking the end of Ramadan during which Muslims fasted during daylight hours for an entire month is celebrated with feasts at homes or restaurants all over town including special desserts like baklava or kunefe that are served only during this time period.

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• Bafra pidesi: a type of Turkish flatbread with cheese and meat toppings.
• Manti: Turkish dumplings filled with minced meat or cheese and served with yogurt sauce.
• Hamsi tava: fried anchovies served with lemon wedges and bread.

Some popular restaurants in Samsun, Turkey include:

• Kavaklıdere Restaurant: known for its traditional Turkish dishes and seafood.
• Çelebi Köfte Salonu: famous for its köfte (meatballs) made from lamb or beef.
• Pidecimiz: a popular spot for pide (Turkish flatbread pizza) lovers, offering a variety of toppings to choose from.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Atatürk Parkı (Atatürk Park)
2. Bati Parki (West Park)
3. Sahil Parki (Coastal Park)
4. Gazi Osman Paşa Korusu (Gazi Osman Pasha Grove)
5. Amazon Aquapark
6. Samsun Amisos Hill Cable Car
7. Samsun Zoo
8. Yavuz Selim Camii Bahçesi (Yavuz Selim Mosque Garden)
9. Mert Gölü Mesire Alanı (Mert Lake Recreation Area)
10. Kızılırmak Deltası Kuş Cenneti Milli Parkı (Kizilirmak Delta National Bird Sanctuary)

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Create Memories, Travel Often.

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