Arhavi

Arhavi
არქაბი / Arǩabi (Laz)
Municipality
Statue of a Laz man and woman in Arhavi (Arǩabi)
Statue of a Laz man and woman in Arhavi (Arǩabi)
Arhavi is located in Turkey
Arhavi
Arhavi
Location within Turkey
Coordinates: 41°20′N 41°18′E / 41.333°N 41.300°E / 41.333; 41.300
CountryTurkey
ProvinceArtvin
DistrictArhavi
Government
 • MayorTurgay Ataselim (AKP)
Elevation
19 m (62 ft)
Population
 (2022)
17,558
Time zoneUTC+3 (TRT)
Postal code
08200
Area code0466
ClimateCfa
Websitewww.arhavi.bel.tr

Arhavi (Laz: არქაბი/Arǩabi; Georgian: არქაბი/Arkabi) is a town in Artvin Province located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Arhavi District. Its population is 17,558 (2022), making it the third most populous municipality in Artvin Province. Laz people form a large portion of the population. The terrain is hilly and mountainous. Area of the city center is about 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi). The length of the coast is about 10 km (6.2 mi). Arhavi is famous by the Culture and Art Festival that celebrated since 1973.

Etymology

Arhavi is "Arkabi" in Laz means "Old Viçe" or "Old village" Georgian: არქაბი and was formerly known as its river "Kapisre".

History

The Ottoman Period

Arhavi was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1486.

During the First World War, in which the Ottoman Empire was an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, the Russian army occupied Arhavi on 14 January 1916.

The Republican Period

Geography

Arhavi Black Sea Region is located in the eastern Black Sea. It is bordered by the Black Sea in the North, the city lies west of Hopa and east of the Yusufeli border. The South is surrounded by hazelnut forests.

A typical Black Sea climate prevails in the district, characterized by warm summers and cool winters. In every season rainfall is common. The humid and mild climate is suitable for the cultivation of tea, nuts, corn and citrus.

The people of Arhavi are mainly Laz and the district attracts visitors from neighbouring Georgia.

Quarters

The town Arhavi consists of 7 quarters: Aşağı Hacılar, Cumhuriyet, Kale, Musazade, Yemişlik, Yukarı Hacılar and Boğaziçi.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
19806,801—    
19859,079+5.95%
199010,048+2.05%
199713,392+4.19%
200716,101+1.86%
201215,973−0.16%
201716,698+0.89%
202217,558+1.01%
Source: Population censuses (1980-1997) and TÜIK (2007-2022)

Government

Elected mayors and political parties by year:

2024 - Turgay Ataselim AKP
2019 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu CHP
2014 - Coşkun Hekimoğlu AKP
2009 - Coşkun Hekimoğlu AKP
2004 - Musa Ulutaş CHP
1999 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu ANAP
1994 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu DYP
1989 - Mehmet Çorbacıoğlu SHP
1984 - İ.Fethi Özkazanç SODEP
1977 - Kazım Kurdoğlu AP
1973 - AP
1968 - Rüştü Hatinoğlu AP
1963 - CHP

Culture and art

Arhavi Culture & Arts Festival

The Arhavi Kültür ve Sanat Festivali is an annual festival which first took place in Arhavi in 1973. The festival which runs for three days is usually held in August. During the festival, popular musicians from all over Turkey perform daily. A regular guest singer is the very famous Arhavi native Cengiz Kurtoğlu. Along with the many singers who perform, the local folk dance "Horon" is performed by professional dancers and local school children.

Well-known citizens

Arhavili Ismail

"Arhavili Ismail" is a poem about the Turkish War of Independence by Nazim Hikmet, it has been recorded by Zulfu Livaneli, music star born into an Artvin family, and by local musician Volkan Konak.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Population Of Municipalities, Villages And Quarters". TÜIK. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  2. ↑ İlçe Belediyesi, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 Öztürk suggested it Arhka "antique, old" and Vitse "Former name of neighbour town Fındıklı. Özhan Öztürk. Pontus: Antik Çağ’dan Günümüze Karadeniz’in Etnik ve Siyasi Tarihi Archived 3 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine Genesis Yayınları. Ankara, 2011. ISBN 978-605-54-1017-9 p. 776
  4. ↑ Ali Taşpınar (2004). Rize Tarihi. Gençlik Kitabevi.
  5. ↑ "First World War.com - Timeline". firstworldwar.com. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. ↑ Mahalle, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "1980 General Census" (PDF) (in Turkish). Turkish Statistical Institute. 1980. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "1985 General Census" (PDF) (in Turkish). Turkish Statistical Institute. 1986. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "1990 General Census" (PDF) (in Turkish). Turkish Statistical Institute. 1991. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "1997 Population Count" (PDF) (in Turkish). Turkish Statistical Institute. 1999. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2022.