Samsun 655676 223650001 2008-07-05T02:17:12Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{Infobox Settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement--> |settlement_type = |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{TUR}} |timezone=[[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset=+2 |map_caption =Location of Samsun within Turkey. |timezone_DST=[[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |utc_offset_DST=+3 |official_name = Samsun |blank_emblem_type = | subdivision_type1=[[Regions of Turkey|Region]]| subdivision_name1 = Black Sea |subdivision_type2=[[Provinces of Turkey|Province]]| subdivision_name2 = Samsun | population_total = 725,111 |population_urban = |population_as_of = 2007 |population_footnotes = |population_density_km2 = |area_total_km2 = 9.083 |elevation_m = |pushpin_map =Turkey |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption =Location of Samsun |pushpin_mapsize = |latd = 41 |latm = 17 |latNS = N |longd = 36 |longm = 20 |longEW = E |postal_code_type=[[Postal code]]| postal_code = |blank_info = 55|blank_name=[[Turkish car number plates|Licence&nbsp;plate]]| area_code = (+90) (0)362 |leader_name = |website = [http://www.samsun.bel.tr www.samsun.bel.tr] |leader_name1 = }} '''Samsun''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Σαμψούντα'', ''Samsounta'', ''Amisos'') is a [[List of cities in Turkey|city]] in northern [[Turkey]], on the coast of the [[Black Sea]], with a population of 725,111 as of 2007. It is the capital city of [[Samsun Province|Samsun]] [[Provinces of Turkey|Province]] and an important [[port city|port]]. Samsun was founded as the colony '''Amisos''' (alternative spelling ''Amisus'', ''Eis Amison - '' meaning to amisos took the name ''Samsunta'' or ''Samsus'' ''( Eis Amison - Samson - Samsounta'') as in Greek + ounta "Greek toponomical suffix".<ref>Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz: Ansiklopedik Sözlük (Blacksea: Encyclopedic Dictionary). 2 Cilt (2 Volumes). Heyamola Publishing. Istanbul.2005 ISBN 975-6121-00-9</ref> ) by settlers from [[Miletus]] in the 7th century BC. It was later a part of the [[Pontus]] realm. ==History== Samsun 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 [[Ancient peoples of Anatolia|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. [[Image:Samsun2.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Samsun]] The Romans took over in 47 BC, and were replaced by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] after the fall of Rome.<!--Replaced by what time?--> In 1200 Samsun was captured by the [[Seljuks]], to be later taken over by the [[Ilkhanate|İlhanlılar]]. Samsun was incorporated into the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] in the beginning of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese razed the town. Ataturk founded the Turkish republic movement at Samsun and it served as its base during the Turkish War of Independence. {{details|Turkish War of Independence}} The city is a [[Roman Catholic]] [[titular see]]. ==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 [[Kızıl River|Kızılırmak]] ("Red River", the ''Halys'' of antiquity), one of the longest rivers in [[Anatolia]] and its fertile delta. To the east, lie the [[Yeşil River|Yeşilırmak]] ("Green River", the ''Iris'' of antiquity) and its delta. [[Image:Samsun3.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Samsun]] ===Rivers=== [[Terme river]], [[Yeşilırmak]], [[Aptal river]], [[Mert river]], [[Kürtün river]], [[Kızılırmak]] <ref> [http://www.karalahana.com/karadeniz/Samsun%20ili.htm Samsun] </ref> ===Lakes=== [[Akgöl]], [[Dumanlı]], [[Semenlik]] ==Climate== Samsun has a humid, temperate, marine climate with cool winters and warm summers and high rainfall throughout the year. {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ==Economy== Samsun is an important Turkish trade centre and the most important port on the Black Sea coast. Samsun is one of the major Turkish [[tobacco]] producing provinces. In the later Ottoman period the land around the town mainly produced tobacco. The town was connected to the railway system in the second half of the 19th century, and tobacco trade boomed. The [[Çarşamba]] Valley and the [[Bafra]] Valley offer possibilities for farming. A concern of automotive industries is located in Samsun. {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ==Education== The University of Samsun (19 Mayis Üniversitesi) is one of the seven best universities of Turkey. Moreover the city has colleges, 58 grammar schools, 1.048 primary schools, and public libraries. [[Image:Samsun1.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Samsun]] ==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 [[Austria]]n 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]]. ==[[Sister cities]]== * {{flagicon|Tanzania}} [[Dar es Salaam]], [[Tanzania]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Neumünster]], [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Kalmar]], [[Sweden]] ==Notable natives== <!-- Add only people here who have a Wikipedia article; no redlinks please! --> * [[Mustafa Dağıstanlı]] - two times Olympic gold medalist sports wrestler * [[Yaşar Doğu]] - Olympic gold medalist sports wrestler * [[Orhan Gencebay]] - musician <!-- redlink: * [[Orhan Hakalmaz]] - musician --> <!-- redlink: * [[Levent Kırca]] - comedian --> * [[Ferhan Şensoy]] - writer, actor and stage director * [[Tanju Çolak]] - soccer player/striker, who was the top scorer in Europe in 1987 and 3rd scorer in 1986 <!-- redlink: * [[Umut Ocak]] - United Kingdom /Northern Ireland European gold medalist sports wrestler, judo --> <!-- redlink: * [[Sagopa Kajmer]] - rapper --> <!-- redlink: * [[Şifo Mehmet]] - soccer player --> * [[Yıldıray Çınar]] - musician <!-- redlink: * [[Mehmet Aslantuğ]] - actor --> * [[Neyzen Tevfik]] – poet, satirist, and ney player * [[Ece Erken]] – TV-hostess and actress <!-- redlink: * [[Kenan Aksu]] --> <!-- redlink: * [[Ahu Türkpençe]] --> ==See also== * [[Anatolian Tigers]] == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{commons|Samsun|Samsun}} * [http://www.karalahana.com/english.html All about Samsun and Turkey Black Sea Region] * [http://www.samsun.gov.tr Samsun Governor's Office] * [http://www.samsun.bel.tr Samsun Municipality] * [http://www.samsuntso.org.tr Samsun Chamber of Trade and Industry] * [http://www.karalahana.net/fotograf/thumbnails.php?album=82 HQ Samsun pictures] * [http://www.samsunspor.org.tr Samsun SK football team] * [http://www.yerelnet.org.tr/iller/il.php?iladi=SAMSUN| Local information] * [http://www.samsunjen.com/samsun-videolari Videos from Samsun] * [http://www.anadolukatolikkilisesi.org/samsun/ Samsun Catholic Church] * [http://www.samsun-city.net.tc/ Samsun - Travel Guide] * [http://www.forumsamsun.net Forum Samsun] {{Districts of Turkey|provname=Samsun}} {{coor title dm|41|17|25|N|36|20|01|E|type:city}} [[Category:Settlements established in the 7th century BC]] [[Category:Port cities in Turkey]] [[Category:Turkish War of Independence]] [[Category:Turkish Tobacco production]] [[Category:Ancient Greek sites in Turkey]] [[Category:Black Sea]] [[ar:سامسون]] [[ca:Amisos]] [[cs:Samsun]] [[de:Samsun]] [[el:Σαμψούντα]] [[es:Samsun]] [[eo:Samsun]] [[fr:Samsun]] [[gl:Amisos]] [[id:Samsun]] [[it:Samsun]] [[he:סמסון]] [[ka:სამსუნი]] [[lt:Samsunas]] [[nl:Samsun]] [[ja:サムスン (都市)]] [[no:Samsun]] [[pl:Samsun]] [[pt:Samsun]] [[ru:Самсун]] [[fi:Samsun]] [[sv:Samsun]] [[tr:Samsun]]