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Erzincan
is situated on the northern bank of the Kara River, a major tributary
of the Euphrates. The city is situated in a fertile plain, 3,900 feet
(1,200 m) above sea level, enclosed by snowcapped mountains. It was taken
by the Seljuq Turks from Byzantium in 1071, fell to the Mongols in 1243,
and, after the collapse of the Mongol empire, was ruled by various local
Turkmen dynasties until its final incorporation into the Ottoman Empire
in the early 16th century. At the end of the 19th century, with its woolen-textile
and leather industries, Erzincan was an important centre of eastern Anatolia,
but its industries and population suffered from Armenian riots and occupation
by Russian forces during World War I. Erzincan has frequently been damaged
by severe earthquakes, most recently in 1939. Its industries include cotton
and silk textiles, copper utensils, and medicines. The city occupies an
important position on the rail line and highway from the Caucasus to central
Anatolia and from Ankara to Erzurum; it is also linked by air with Ankara
and Erzurum. The surrounding region has severe winters and warm summers.
The fertile plain is well watered and produces cotton, cereals, and fruits,
and livestock raising is important.
We still do not have thorough information about the history
of Erzincan. However, historians report that the Hurris lived in this region during 2000
BC, and the Hayashes and Azzis ruled here during the beginning of the first half of the
year 2000 BC.
The Hittites, who established a big empire in Anatolia
between 1850-1180 BC with Hattushas being its capital, also dominated the Near East.
Centainly, Erzincan was under their rule as well. Various works belonging to the Hittites
and their settlements have been discovered during the excavations carried out in various
parts of Anatolia. Although there is no trace of a Hittite settlement in the Erzincan
region, it is definite that the region was under the Hittite rule for some time.
New kind of sports developing and spreading in the world
encourage people to become active participants rather than remain as spectators. Group or
individual sports, carried out in the midst of nature away from noise and pollution,
attract more people each day favoring personal and environmental health. Erzincan rates
first with 11% in Turkey's total surface area of green spaces, and welcomes
a promising brand new future and scarcely known winter sports with its calm lakes,
fast-flowing rivers, spring waters, mountains and highlands.
Long-lasting snow on its mountains despite the mild climate
in its plains facilitates a variety of snow sports and climbing; rafting can be done in
the rough waters of Euphrates, while water-skiing can be practiced in the dam lakes of
Tercan and Keban.
In addition, frozen waterfall climbing is solely possible
in Turkey at the Girlevik Falls.
One can enjoy cave discovery and canyon excursion in the
wild nature of Kemaliye and Kemah region and trekking, mountain bike and parachute gliding
in the Munzur Mountains.
After these activities, one can relax year-round in the
jacuzzis of the warm and healing spring waters of Eksisu.
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