Rize
Location in Turkey
Overview
Region Black Sea Region, Turkey
Province Rize Province
Population 78,144 (2000)

NA

Elevation 6 m
Coordinates 41°01′N 40°31′E / 41.017, 40.517Coordinates: 41°01′N 40°31′E / 41.017, 40.517
Postal code 53
Area code (0090)+ 464
Licence plate code 53
Governor

Kasım ESEN
Website
Mayor  

Halil BAKIRCI
Website

Number of districts

12

Number of subdistricts

4

Number of Municipalities

21

Number of villages

350

Population of density

93

Population of Centrum

78.144

Area

3920 km2

Date of Establishment

1924

Total Populsation of Province

365.938

Rize is the capital of Rize Province, in north-east Turkey, on the Black Sea coast.

Contents

Geography

The city is built around a small bay on the the Black Sea coast, on a narrow strip of flat land between the sea and the mountains behind. The coastal strip is being expanded with landfill and the city is growing up the steep hillsides away from the coast also. Rize enjoys a mild, extremely wet climate, vulnerable to storms coming off the Black Sea and therefore the surrounding countryside is luxuriant with vegetation and is attracting more and more visitors every year.

Rize is a center for processing and shipping the tea grown in the surrounding area. Tea was introduced in the region in the 1940's and 1950's, changing the region's destiny, which was deperately poor until then. The city has a tea research institute founded in 1958 and tea gardens are the main sight in the town's panoramic view. Tea and kiwifruit plants are even planted in gardens around the town. The secondary activity is fishing. Rize is linked by road with Trabzon (41 miles [66 km] west), Hopa (55 miles [88 km] east, on the Georgian border, and Erzurum (north). The nearest airport is Trabzon.

Rize is a quiet town, a typical Turkish provincial capital with little in the way of night life or enetertainment. However the border with Georgia has been open since the early 90's, the Black Sea coast road has been widened and Rize is now wealthier than in previous decades; there are more cars in the streets, higher buildings on the sea front, and some places for young people to go are opening up now. The visitors to the surrounding countryside also contribute to the economy of the town. But there is no university here and each year a new generation has to move on when finishing high school.

City

Rize is 75 km to the east of Trabzon and established on the skirts of mountains that are covered with tea plantations. Its location and the fact that it hosted several empires in history have contributed a lot to this city. These lands that witnessed empires like Pontus, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman were a source for the rich and authentic culture for Rize.

The Kackar summit that is the fourth highest point in Turkey is 3937 meters high and houses several places that gained worldwide significance like the valley of Storm River (Firtina Deresi), which is classified as the 1st class area wher structural development is prohibited, has the phenomenal view of the Glaciel Lakes, besides those of ancient forests that host several resources as well as endemic species.

Every green you see at Rize is probably the tea. The tea which not only gives the colour of surrounding hills is the public’s living source for Rize and the Turkey’s flavour. The Turkish Tea takes it’s name from the Rize Tea.

Nature

In this region taking place in 35 km south west of Ikizdere district and taking place at the height of 2200 – 2300 m, production of Anzer Honay which is world famous. Birch Chicken lives at 2000 meters high mountains over the forest border. A festival is organizing for protecting and over viewing since 2005 at Ikizdere.

Culture

Each and every era added something new to what has been accumulated. As such, the cities as sources from the cultural heritage of the world. Rize  is one of the cities that claims ownership of such heritage. Rize Castle, which is spread on an area of 480 m2  in the city center, dating back to 14th century, Maiden Castle that s located on a small head land constructed in the middle ages, and Zil Castle are some of the other attention grabbing historical structures it the area with 2 meter thick walls. The architectural authenticity that is dominant in these structures unites this city. There is so much to se and learn in this city.

Economy

The economic structure of Rize can be identified by the geographic frame. Rize is a very mountained city and this leads some problems on development. The plained area is not enough for making industrial plants or activities. There is no railway transportation and no airport in Rize, so the transportation can be only done by the rail road. Produced goods or imported goods by the seaport can not be transferred to the neighbour cities easily. So trade is being prevented naturally, tightened only on the shoreline. The strongest connection of Rize is between Trabzon; the most developed city of north-east black sea. This natural restrictions make Rize do agrecultural activities; but also these restrictions give a chance to Rize to produce "Tea" -a symbol of Rize since 1950s. Today, tea is still important for the public of Rize and it responses most part of Turkey needs and also for foreign markets. Also the fruit; "kiwi" is becoming more popular on these days in Rize.

Education

   
F. Rasim ÇELIK
(Turkish) Rize Education Directorship

There are 113 primary schools and 53 high schools in Rize.

Others:

The RIZE UNIVERSITY was founded in 2006.

It consists of these faculties;

MERKEZ MILLI PIYANGO EGITIM KAMPUSU (Milli Piyango Teacher's College Central Campus)

ILAHIYAT KAMPUSU (Theology Campus)

EGITIM FAKULTESİ (Cayeli/Rize) (Cayeli Tezcher's College Campus)

RIZE MESLEK YUKSEKOKULU (Rize Vocational High School)

FINDIKLI MESLEK YUKSEKOKULU (Findiklı/Rize) (Findikli Vocational High School)

ARDESEN MESLEK YUKSEKOKULU (Ardesen/Rize) (Ardesen Vocational High School)

  • Also the faculty of medicine school was started to construct in 2007

History

The knowledge about the prehistory of Rize is limited. The origin of the name “Rize” is uncertain. The written history of the region, wher some communities dealing with agriculture and stockbreeding lived in the beginning of the 2 thousands B.C., starts with the journeys of the sailor from Milet to the region in 7th century B.C.. The region faced with the assaults of Kimmer, Med and Persians, occupied by King Pharhanes in 180 B.C.. The region has ben under domination of parts in 1st century B.C., and under domination of Romans in 10th century A.C. Rize was a sunject of connection as being on the trade route of Blacksea – Iran, and passed in title a couple of times between Byzantine and Sousanis. Even in captured by Seldjukides  after the victory of Malazgirt in 1071; it is recaptured by Byzantine after the 1st Crusades.

In 1204, after the 3rd Crusades, the region has dominated by Pontus Empire. When Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror wiped this state out, the dominance of Ottoman has started at the region. In 9 March 1916, during the 1st World War, Rize faced with the Russian occupation and got rid of this occupation in 2 March 1918. Rize, which was previously a flag center of Trabzon governorship, has become a city in 1924, after Republic.

Notable natives


Çaykur Rizespor, the local football team, play in the Turkish Super League and are local heroes, occasionally capable of defeating even the big Istanbul teams. They play in green and blue, reflecting the blue of the sea and the green of the tea growing on the hillsides.

Others who have never lived in Rize but come from Rize families include:

Population figures

Year Population
1975 36.044
1980 43.407
1985 50.221
1990 52.031
1997 73.420
2000 78.144

References

How can you go to Rize

Rize is accessible from every part of Turkey in every season. All the district roads are asphalt laid government roads. Also air and marine transportation can be preferable in order to reach at the province.

Land Transportation
There s motorway connection from every region of Turkey to Rize. Located in the sea coast of Eastern Black Sea Region, Rize is 76 km away from Trabzon in the west, 251 km from Erzurum over Ikizdere district in the south and 159 km from Artvin in the east. There are municipal bus and private minibus services from all districts of Rize to the Centrum of Rize. Also there are bus voyages between Rize – Batum and Rize – Tiflis for foreign tourists. Since the tariffs vary from season, we recommend you to consult to the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism for private and municipal bus tariffs. Rize Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism 0 464 213 04 07 – 213 04 26

Air Transportation
Air transport to Rize is made over Trabzon and Erzurum. Centrum of Rize is 70 km away from Trabzon Airport. It is possible to find a taxi or private minibus from the airport. Also Erzurum Airport can be preferred according to flight tariffs. THY 444 0 849, Fly Air 444 4 359, Onur Air 444 6 687 Pegasus 444 0 737

Marine Transport
In summer, ferry cruises with İstanbul – Samsun – Trabzon connection are extended to also Rize. Turkish Maritime Rize Agency 0 464 223 45 68 (3 lines)

External links

Distance Chart (km)

RİZE

50

71

20

10

66

15

56

52

16

33

41

50

ARDEŞN

21

29

60

16

52

27

102

66

83

9

71

21

ÇAMLIHEMŞİN

51

81

37

73

45

120

87

104

30

20

29

51

ÇAYELİ

30

46

22

37

72

36

53

19

10

60

81

30

DERPAZARI

76

25

66

42

6

23

51

66

16

37

46

76

FINDIKLI

69

42

118

82

99

25

15

52

73

22

25

69

GÜNEYSU

64

67

31

48

42

56

27

45

37

66

42

64

HEMŞİN

118

72

89

18

52

102

120

72

42

118

67

118

İKİZDERE

40

36

93

16

66

87

36

6

82

31

72

40

İYİDERE

17

57

33

83

104

53

23

99

48

89

36

17

KALKANDERE

74

41

9

30

19

51

25

42

18

93

57

74

PAZAR

Black Sea     Location of Rize      Districts of Rize

Blacksea Region                              Rize                                            Rize