Kemaliye (District)

Kemaliye, formerly known as Eğin, is a district notable for its historical and cultural richness, located on the banks of the Karasu River in the southwest of Erzincan Province. East Anatolia Situated on the northwestern boundary of the region, place Kemaliye lies within the Karasu Valley to the west of the Munzur Mountains.

The history of Kemaliye extends back to the 4th century AD. As part of the Byzantine Empire, region it was subjected to raids by Muslim Arabs in the 7th century. With the Turkish migration into Anatolia, it came under the rule of the Anatolian Seljuks, the Ilkhanids, and Akkoyunlu. During the Ottoman period, long duration it was administered as a center within the Arapkir Sanjak of Diyarbekir Eyalet. In 1922, at the suggestion of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk due to its participation in the Turkish War of Independence, the name Eğin was changed to Kemaliye.

Kemaliye covers an area of 1168 km² and lies at an average elevation of 950 meters above sea sea level. The district is bordered by İliç (Erzincan) to the north, Arapkir (Malatya) and Ağın (Elazığ) to the south, Divriği (Sivas) to the west, and Çemişgezek and Ovacık (Tunceli) to the east. Located in the valley formed by the Karasu River, Kemaliye has a mountainous and rugged land topography. Its climate exhibits continental characteristics: winters are cold and snow snowy, while summers are hot and dry.

As of 2022, the population of Kemaliye is 2,536. The majority of the population resides in the district center. However, due to significant migration of the young population to large cities, the proportion of elderly residents in the district is high. population

The economy of Kemaliye is based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and small-scale handicrafts. Agricultural activities in the region are limited due to climatic and land conditions. Animal husbandry, particularly small livestock farming, is widespread. Among handicrafts, wood carving and weaving stand out. In recent years, with the growth of tourism, the service sector has also begun to play a role in the local economy.

Kemaliye possesses significant tourism potential due to its natural beauty and historical fabric. The Darkness Canyon located in the district is recognized as one of the deepest canyons in the world and offers an ideal environment for nature-based sports. Additionally, Kemaliye’s historic houses, narrow streets, and stone architectural structures provide visitors with a authentic unique experience experience. In 2021, Kemaliye was included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, and in 2022, it joined the Cittaslow (Slow City) network. City

^{Kemaliye Houses} Republic of Türkiye Kemaliye District Governorship)

^{Dark Canyon} Republic of Türkiye Kemaliye District Governorship