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City and port,
northern Turkey, on the Black Sea. It lies at the mouth of the Melet
River on the eastern slopes of Boztepe (1,800 feet
[550 m]), which protects it against storms from the northwest. Ordu was
the site of ancient Cotyora, founded by Greek colonists from Sinope (modern
Sinop) in the 5th century BC, and is the place from which the survivors
of Xenophon's Ten Thousand (Greeks who went to Asia to seek their fortunes)
embarked for Sinope and Heraclea Pontica (modern Eregli). Ordu is now
a centre for hazelnut processing and exporting, fishing,
and timber exporting. The city is on the Samsun-Trabzon coastal road about
100 miles (160 km) west of Trabzon.
The area in which Ordu is situated is rugged,
well-forested, and humid. The fertile coastal strip supports a variety
of agricultural products, including corn (maize) and hazelnuts. Livestock
is raised and grain is grown in the deep valleys of the interior.
One of the lovely city where, if we return
from the Babylon campain, the survivors of Xenophons
Ten Thousand left Anatolia from Ordu in their retreat to
Grecee. Today, it is a beautiful port situated at the foot of a forested
hill. In the Pasaoglu Konak (mansion), now the Ethnographical
Museum, glimpse how a rich and influential 19th century family lived.
In this region of Turkeys famous hazelnut production centers around
Ordu and every September the town hosts the Golden Hazelnut Festival.
Be sure to sample the delicious chocolate nut candy. It
is worth spending some time at an 18th century church, 2km from town,
and the pretty sandy beach of Guzelyali is worth visiting.To
the south, 58 km further, at an altitude of 1,250 meters lies the Yayla
(Plateau) of Cambasi offering beautiful mountain views. The Yayla
of Keyfalan at 2,000 meters, is another popular summer destination
for local residents.
Rize is, 75 km east of Trabzon, is built
on a mountain slope and covered with tea bushes which look
like puffy green pillows. The vegetation is so dense in Rize that it is
virtually impossible to see ground. The shoreline and hinterland possess
myriad shades of green. Rize is famous the world over for its flora. There
about 20 flowers that are unique to the Rize area. The inner regions coming
right to the shoreline, with mountains and plateus, complete the picture
while traditional villages and plateau houses blend in with nature to
make an enriching contribution. Written history concerning the area started
with sailing voyages to Rize from Miletos. In 670 B.C. Miletans extended
their Black Sea colonies as far as Rize. The region was later invated
by Medes and Persians and was afterwards influance by Ionian and Greek
cultures. Rize came within the Pontus Kingdom in the early centuries A.D.
and was protected from the encroaching Islamic invasions until the 11th
century. The area was then taken by Meliksah of the Great Seljuks. The
region was added to the Byzantine Empire after the 11th Crusade and then
passed to the Rum Empire of Trabzon. Be sure to see typical Black Sea
citys 16th century Islam Pasa Mosque and the remains
of a Genoese Castle. From Ziraat Park you
can take in a splendid panorama of the whole area. A lightweight summer
cloth of good quality and printed with colorful patterns comes from the
Rize area. During the Summer Tea Festival you can purchase the best blend
of Black Sea tea. Mehmet Mataraci Mansion, now an Ataturk
Museum, displays his personal belongings as well as ethnographical artifacts
from the region. Turning inland after Ardesen, on the road leading east
from Rize, you comet o the beautiful little town of Camlihemsin
straddling a rushing stream. Nearby is the Firtina Vadisi
(Valley of Stroms) with the beautiful Zir Castle, and stone
bridges from Byzantine times. After walking around Ayders rolling
meadows, you can relax in one of the many hot springs. For those who like
mountain climbing, this is the best starting point for scaling the Kackar
Mountains.This emerald range is one of the best and the most challenging
for climbers in Turkey. The whole of the Kackar Range constitutes the
beautiful Kackar Daglari National Park. South of Rize, on the Kackar Mountains,
Anzer village offers the world-famous and healthful Anzer
honey, it is a nice area for trekking and for its botany. East and west
of Rize, Cayeli Ardesen, Of and Findyili all enjoy a subtropical climate,
lush green settings and traditional chalets. The Camburnu coast
is covered with golden pine trees: many species of migrating birds land
here, and it is a lovely area for resting and picture taking. Hopa,
an attractive town at the foot of a forested mountain, is the last port
before the Turkish-Georgion border. The international boundary actuall
divides the village of Sarp. 27 km northeast of the town
of Borcka on the way to Artvin, there ia a wonderful alpine lake, Karagol
with different pine trees one of the best for visiting the region...
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