Tokat (Province)

Tokat is a city located in the eastern interior of Türkiye’s Black Sea Region, with a history of hosting various civilizations. It covers an area of 10,072 km² and had a population of 612,674 as of 2024. Built on the fertile lands of the Yeşilırmak basin, Tokat has been an important center of trade, culture and science throughout history.

^{Tokat Clock Tower - Central Black Sea Development Agency}

Tokat is one of the oldest settlement sites in Anatolia, with its history extending back to 5500 BCE. Throughout history it has served as a host to various civilizations and has been an important center due to its trade, cultural and strategic position. The region has been under the rule of many states including the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Danişmendids, Seljuks and Ottomans.

Archaeological findings in Tokat and its surroundings indicate that the region was inhabited since the Chalcolithic Age (5500–3500 BCE).

• Hittites and Phrygians (2000–600 BCE)
• Tokat was within the boundaries of the Hittite Empire and later came under the control of the Phrygians. During this period the region was situated along major trade routes.
• Persian and Hellenistic Period (600–66 BCE)
• Under the Persians, Tokat was incorporated into the Great Cappadocia Satrapy. Following Alexander the Great’s campaign in Anatolia (333 BCE), the region came under Hellenistic cultural influence.
• Roman and Byzantine Period (66 BCE – 1071 CE)
• In 66 BCE the Roman Empire conquered Tokat after destroying the Kingdom of Pontus. Sebastopolis and Comana Pontica became religious and commercial centers during this time. After the division of the Roman Empire (395 CE), Tokat became part of the Byzantine Empire.

• Danişmendids (1071–1175)
• After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Danişmend Gazi conquered Tokat and its surroundings and established the Danişmendid Beylik. The Danişmendids made Niksar their capital and built the Yağıbasan Medrese in Tokat, one of the earliest medreses in Anatolia.
• Anatolian Seljuk State (1175–1243)
• After the fall of the Danişmendids, Tokat became part of the Anatolian Seljuk State. During this period structures such as the Gökmedrese and Hıdırlık Bridge were constructed and the city became a center of learning.
• Mongol and Ilkhanid Rule (1243–1335)
• After the Battle of Köse Dağ in 1243, Seljuk authority in Anatolia weakened and Tokat came under Mongol control. During the Ilkhanid period the city suffered heavy taxation and economic decline.
• Beylik Period (1335–1392)
• After the collapse of the Ilkhanids, Tokat came under the rule of local beyliks including the Eretna Beylik (1335–1388) and the Kadı Burhaneddin State (1388–1392).

• Ottoman Conquests and Expanding Trade (1392–1600)
• In 1392 Yıldırım Bayezid incorporated Tokat into Ottoman territory. After Timur’s victory at the Battle of Ankara in 1402, the city briefly came under Timur’s control but was reintegrated into the Ottoman Empire by Çelebi Mehmet in 1413. During the Ottoman period Tokat became a major trade center along the Silk Road and Spice Route.
• Celali Rebellions and the City’s Decline (1600–1800)
• The Celali Rebellions in 17th-century Ottoman territories deeply affected Tokat. The city lost strength due to the rebellions and economic collapse.
• Industrialization and Administrative Changes (1800–1923)
• In the 19th century Tokat was reorganized administratively: in 1863 it became a district under Sivas Province, in 1878 a mutasarrıflık, and in 1920 an independent liva. During the First World War and the War of Independence, the city resisted Pontic Greek bands and demonstrated local resistance.

• Early Republican Years and Tokat’s Status as a Province (1923–1950)
• Tokat attained provincial status in 1923. Atatürk visited Tokat in 1924 and 1930. During this period investment in education, health and infrastructure accelerated.
• Industrialization and Agricultural Development (1950–2000)
• • From the 1950s onward, Tokat’s economy grew through the production of tobacco, sugar beet and fruit.
  • Between 1973 and 1980 it was designated one of Turkey’s priority development provinces.
  • In the 1990s food and textile industries became prominent.
• Contemporary Tokat (2000–Present)
• In the 2000s Tokat continued to grow through agriculture, industry and tourism.
• • In 2022 Tokat Airport resumed operations.
  • Ballıca Cave, Almus Dam and historical structures enhanced the region’s tourism potential.

Tokat lies in a transition zone between the Black Sea and Central Anatolia Regions. It is bordered by Samsun to the north, Ordu to the northeast, Sivas to the south and southeast, Yozgat to the southwest and Amasya to the west. The city is situated on the Yeşilırmak Valley and is surrounded by elevations such as the Canik Mountains, Köse Mountains, Deveci Mountain and Yaylacık Mountain.

Tokat experiences influences from both the Black Sea and Central Anatolian climates. The northern areas have a mild, rainy Black Sea climate while the southern areas exhibit the continental climate typical of Central Anatolia. Summers are hot and dry, winters are cold and snowy. The annual average temperature is 12.8°C and annual precipitation ranges between 400 and 600 mm depending on the region.

Tokat is known for its fertile agricultural plains. Major plains include Kazova, Turhal Plain, Niksar Plain, Erbaa Plain and Artova Plain. The Canik Mountains rise in the north, the Köse Mountains in the east and the Deveci Mountains in the south.

The Yeşilırmak and Kelkit Çayı are the most important rivers in Tokat. The Çekerek, Tozanlı and Karakuş Çayları also play significant roles in the region’s irrigation system. Almus Dam and Zinav Lake are among its key water sources.

As of 2024, Tokat’s population is approximately 612,674. In recent years the population has been declining due to migration, particularly among the youth who move to large cities for economic reasons. Population density is higher in the urban center while rural areas show a declining trend.

Tokat’s economy is based on agriculture, animal husbandry, trade and industry. Major agricultural products include wheat, barley, maize, legumes, tobacco, sugar beet, sunflower and various vegetables and fruits. Tokat is also notable for its grape and walnut production.

In addition to large and small livestock farming, trout production and beekeeping are important livelihood sources. Almus Dam Lake is one of Turkey’s major trout production centers.

In the industry sector, factories operate in cigarette, flour, animal feed, dairy, textile, agricultural machinery, food processing and forest products.

Tokat has the character of an open-air museum due to its artifacts from various historical periods. Notable historical and cultural structures include:

• Tokat Castle: A castle built during the Roman period located in the city center.
• Sulusaray Sebastopolis Ancient City: An important ancient city dating from the Roman-Byzantine era.
• Gökmedrese: A medrese built by the Seljuks in 1277, noted for its stonework.
• Yağıbasan Medrese: One of the oldest medreses in Anatolia, dating from the Danişmendid period.
• Ali Paşa Mosque: An important mosque from the Ottoman period.
• Latifoğlu Mansion: A fine example of Ottoman civil architecture.
• Taşhan (Voyvoda Han): An Ottoman caravanserai built in the 17th century.
• Ballıca Cave: One of Turkey’s largest and most impressive caves.

^{Ballıca Cave - Central Black Sea Development Agency}

Tokat offers visitors a wide range of historical and natural attractions. Ballıca Cave, Almus Dam Lake, Çamiçi Plateau and Kaz Lake are among the region’s key tourist destinations. Tokat’s traditional crafts include embroidery, coppersmithing and carpet weaving.

Tokat lies on major roads connecting the Black Sea with Central Anatolia. Highways pass through Tokat linking Samsun with Sivas and Kayseri to Central Anatolia and connecting Eastern Anatolia to Istanbul via Erzincan, Reşadiye, Niksar and Erbaa.

• Air Transport: Tokat Airport was rebuilt and reopened in 2022.
• Railway: The Samsun–Sivas railway line passes through some districts of Tokat.
• Road Transport: Bus services connect Tokat with many parts of Turkey.

^{Tokat Castle - Central Black Sea Development Agency}

Tokat Province consists of 11 districts and 3 towns:

• Districts: Almus, Artova, Başçiftlik, Erbaa, Niksar, Pazar, Reşadiye, Sulusaray, Turhal, Yeşilyurt, Zile
• Towns: Güryıldız, Akıncılar, Çevreli