Bafra
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| Bafra | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
 Bafra
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| Coordinates: 41°34′N 35°54′E / 41.567°N 35.9°E | |
| Country |  Turkey |
| Region | Black Sea |
| Province | Samsun |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Zihni Şahin (AKP) |
| Population | |
| • Urban | 85,203 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 55400 |
| Area code(s) | (0090)+ 362 |
| Licence plate | 55 |
Bafra is a district in the Samsun Province of Turkey.
Contents |
[edit] History
As a settlement, Bafra dates back to the fifth millennium BC. Remnants in the İkiztepe area revealed signs of habitation during the chalcolithic period (fifth to fourth millennia). These habitations apparently continued uninterrupted until 1700 BC. Early Bronze Age and Early Hittite objects were discovered there and Paphlagonians are known to have lived in Kızılırmak Valley. Persians overtook the region in 546 BC from Lydians. A Hellenistic mausoleum was also found there. The area was ruled in turn by the Roman and Byzantine Empires, until the Selchuks arrived, assimilating the Turcoman tribes and establishing Bafra Principality that ceded to Ottomans in 1460.
The name Bafra derives from "bafira" that means a Phoenician trade house established in a harbour or bay. It is believed that the sub-prefecture status was given to Bafra in 1854. It is subordinate to the Samsun Province.
[edit] Geography
Bafra is situated some 20 kilometres from the sea and on Kızılırmak delta. It is 51 kilometres from Samsun, has a surface area of 175.000 ha and an altitude of 20 metres. Black Sea is in the north and east of the sub-prefecture, Alaçam is in the south and Kavak is in the west. Nebyan Mountain (1224 m) is the highest of the rises south of the plain that is the lake-ridden delta of Kızılırmak.
[edit] Climate
Central Black Sea climate prevails in the region, with a somewhat colder winter weather in the mountainous interior. January and February are the coldest months while the warmest season coincides with august.
[edit] Socio - Economic Structure
The economy is essentially based on agriculture and agroindustry, fishing, animal-raising and reed-weaving. The river delta is a true vegetable garden while paddy and wheat are seen behind the first raw along the seashore.
The Karaköy unit of General Directorate of Agrarian Enterprises plays a major role in the country's economy, in that it provides sperms for all ovine and bovine species and offers seeds for wheat farmers.
[edit] Transportation
Bafra is at 51st kilometre on Samsun - Sinop interstate highway. Vehicles from Samsun to Bafra are available around the clock.
[edit] Sightseeing
Because of its unmatched archaeological value, the İkiztepe region has been given the status of protected site by the Ministry of Culture. İkiztepe district is home to numerous archaeological sites - 57 mound, six flat and 25 antique period settlements. There are also 48 tumuli, five rock tombs, three necropoles, one castle, one bathhouse and one bridge in the district. 623 graves were found in one of the necropoles. Scientific cerebral surgeries were noted to have been performed on eight of the persons buried there.
Excavations in İkiztepe revealed that people there lived in wooden houses and made their living on fishing, agriculture and animal raising. Discovered weapons and household objects suggest that metallurgy art was highly advanced here. Terracotta weaving devices that were found indicate a rather developed textile trade.
As for recreation, the Kızılırmak delta has incredible opportunities for sea sports, fishing and trekking. Bird watchers enjoy the swampy areas where the reeds are known to be reproduction areas used by migrating birds.
Two-day watermelon festivals are held in the last week of August each year to promote the region's famous watermelons and to support the producers.
A spring festival is held May 6, with picnics and bonfires.
[edit] Overnighting and Meals
The Municipal Tourist Hotel (28 beds), Trabzon Hotel (50 beds), and Mis Hotel (60 beds) are available for visitors. These establishments have their own restaurants. Many of the gas stations on the interstate highway also own restaurants. Derbent Dam and State Hydraulic Works facilities serve a vast variety of trout dishes.
Pittas, meatballs and Turkish delight varieties with walnuts and sultanas of Bafra are local specialities.
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