Yozgat (Province)

Yozgat is a city located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, known for its historical past, geographical position, and prominence in agriculture and livestock farming. Built on the Bozok Plateau, the city has served as a settlement for many civilizations throughout history and lies along some of Anatolia’s most important trade routes. During the Ottoman period, Yozgat was known as the Bozok Sanjak and after the proclamation of the Republic, it attained provincial status and continued its development. Today, its population structure is changing due to declining rural populations and migration movements, with the economy largely based on agriculture and livestock. The city also attracts attention for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical structures.

Yozgat has been an important settlement throughout history due to its fertile soils and strategic location. Archaeological excavations have shown that human habitation in the region dates back to the 3000s BCE. Alişar Höyüğü is recognized as a major center from the Hittite period onward. The Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines all ruled over Yozgat’s territory.

During the Hittite period, Yozgat and its surroundings became one of the key centers of the Hittite Empire, with excavations at Alişar Höyüğü uncovering artifacts from that era. After the fall of the Hittites, the region came under the control of the Phrygians and Lydians, followed by the Persians. Yozgat, situated on the Persian “Royal Road” trade route, fell under Macedonian control during Alexander the Great’s eastern campaigns in the Hellenistic period.

In the Roman period, the region was known by the important city of Tavium and served as a commercial hub under Roman administration. Yozgat retained its significance during the Byzantine era, particularly from the 7th century onward, becoming a target of Arab raids.

^{Sarıkaya Roman Bath - Yozgat Governorate}

After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Yozgat came under Seljuk rule. The Seljuks undertook various construction activities in the region, building roads, caravanserais, and mosques. During the Mongol invasions, the area suffered significant damage and subsequently came under the control of the Ilkhanids and the Eretna Beylik, among other Turkic states in Anatolia.

During the Ottoman period, Yozgat was known as the Bozok Sanjak and became one of the important administrative centers of the Ottoman state. In the 18th century, the Çapanoğlu family assumed governance of the region under Ottoman authority and made significant contributions to Yozgat’s development. The Çapanoğulları built mosques, caravanserais, and other structures, transforming Yozgat into a center of culture and trade.

Yozgat witnessed important events during the War of Independence. In 1919, uprisings in Yozgat resisted the National Movement, but following the struggle led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the region came under the control of the Turkish Army.

After the proclamation of the Republic, Yozgat became one of Turkey’s developing provinces, with economic structures strengthened through reforms in education and agriculture. In 1927, by decision of the Grand National Assembly, the name “Bozok” was officially changed to “Yozgat.”

Yozgat lies in the eastern part of the Central Anatolia Region, between 34° and 36° east longitude and 39° and 40° north latitude. It borders Sivas to the east, Kırıkkale and Kırşehir to the west, Çorum and Amasya to the north, and Nevşehir and Kayseri to the south. With an area of 14,074 km², Yozgat covers approximately 1.8% of Turkey’s total land area.

The highest point within the province’s boundaries is Hamzasultan Hill at 2,272 meters. To the north of the city lie the Deveci Mountains, while the Bozok Plateau is located to the south. The majority of Yozgat’s terrain consists of rolling plains and plateau areas.

Yozgat exhibits the typical continental climate of the Central Anatolia Region. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and snowy. The annual average temperature is 9.5°C, with the coldest months being January and February, and the hottest being July and August. The average annual rainfall is 525 mm, with the highest precipitation occurring in spring and winter months.

Microclimatic conditions are observed in some districts. Particularly Çekerek and Aydıncık, due to their lower elevations, exhibit relatively milder climatic characteristics.

Yozgat’s topography consists of rolling plains, plateaus, and highlands. Land use is composed of 51.4% plateaus, 37.7% mountains, and 10.9% valleys. The main rivers are tributaries of the Yeşilırmak and Kızılırmak river basins.

^{Yozgat View from Above - Yozgat Governorate}

Yozgat is situated on the Bozok Plateau, one of the largest plateau areas in Central Anatolia. The plateau is deeply cut by the Kızılırmak and Delice Rivers, with its elevation decreasing toward the northwest and west. Its average elevation ranges between 1,200 and 1,400 meters. The southern part of the plateau is covered by lava flows, where rivers have carved deep valleys.

Mountainous areas cover a wide expanse across the province. The most important mountain ranges in Yozgat are:

• Akdağlar (2,072 m): Extending along the Kızılırmak Valley, they form a natural boundary with Sivas.
• Deveci Dağları (1,907 m): Located north of the Bozok Plateau, they form the boundary with Tokat.
• Gevencik Dağı (1,607 m)
• Zincirli Dağı (1,633 m)
• Korkenez Dağı (1,524 m)
• Sırıklıdağ (2,076 m)

Valley areas in the province are limited and generally formed by alluvial deposits in depressions between hills. The most important valleys are:

• Boğazlıyan Valley
• Yerköy Valley
• Sarıkaya Valley These valleys contain fertile agricultural land, particularly suited for cereal production.

Yozgat possesses various mineral deposits due to its underground resources. The main minerals extracted across the province include:

• Lignite: Low-calorie lignite coal deposits are found in the districts of Sorgun and Yerköy.
• Fluorite: Fluorite reserves in Akdağmadeni are utilized as industrial raw materials.
• Iron: Small-scale iron ore deposits are located in Çandır and Kadışehri districts.
• Salt: Natural salt deposits in Sorgun district are an important economic resource.
• Marble: High-quality marble deposits are found in Akdağmadeni and its surroundings.

The main rivers within the province are:

• Delice River: A major tributary of the Kızılırmak, flowing through Yozgat’s territory.
• Kanak Stream: An important river flowing through Çekerek district and joining the Yeşilırmak.
• Bozok Creek: One of the largest surface water sources in the Yozgat city center and surrounding areas.

The major dams within the province’s boundaries are:

• Yahyasaray Dam
• Uzunlu Dam
• Gelingüllü Dam
• Musabeyli Dam

Yozgat’s population structure has undergone significant changes over the years. The province’s population reached 682,919 in 2000 but declined due to migration waves to 432,560 in 2014 and further to 413,161 in 2024. This situation has placed Yozgat among the provinces with the lowest population growth rates in Turkey.

• Size Ranking: Yozgat ranks 48th among Turkish provinces by population. The majority of the provincial population is concentrated in the central district, with the largest districts being Sorgun and Akdağmadeni, and the smallest being Çandır.
• Urban and Rural Population: In 1965, 84.6% of the population lived in rural areas, but this proportion has steadily declined to 38.55% by 2014. Today, the majority of the population resides in urban centers and district towns.
• Age Distribution: The proportion of children and youth in Yozgat is decreasing while the elderly population is increasing. As of 2023, the dependency ratio stands at 51.8%, a result of youth migration and low birth rates.

• Yozgat ranks 77th among Turkey’s 81 provinces in terms of net migration rate. Particularly the youth population migrates to major cities due to limited educational and employment opportunities.
• Rural population has rapidly declined due to migration, with a movement pattern shifting first to the provincial center and then to other provinces.

Yozgat’s economy is predominantly based on agriculture and livestock. As of 2001, the agricultural sector accounted for 28.4% of the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ranking first. Although the agricultural sector’s share has gradually decreased, as of 2021, 77.3% of the provincial population still works in agriculture. Developing agro-based industries is considered vital for the province’s economic growth.

Manufacturing industry in Yozgat is also developing. The province has skilled labor in metal products, textiles, food, and mineral products. Its location in Turkey’s 5th investment incentive zone provides advantages for investment. In 2012, exports amounted to 9.6 million TL while imports reached 18.4 million TL. Leading manufacturing sectors include food, mineral products, clothing, and furniture production.

Investments in mining and energy sectors are also of importance. Due to its distance from seaports, Yozgat faces challenges in accessing international markets for industrial production. However, sectoral investments and incentives are strengthening the province’s economic dynamics.

^{Yozgat Organized Industrial Zone - Yozgat OSB}

Yozgat is a developing city in terms of transportation networks, educational institutions, and urban transit systems. Within the city, buses and minibuses are widely used for transportation.

Yozgat’s public transportation system consists of minibuses and municipal buses. Urban mobility is provided through public transit and taxi services.

Yozgat hosts one state university:

• Bozok University: Established in 2006, it provides educational services through multiple faculties and vocational schools.

• Akdağmadeni
• Aydıncık
• Boğazlıyan
• Çandır
• Çayıralan
• Çekerek
• Kadışehri
• Sarıkaya
• Saraykent
• Sorgun
• Şefaatli
• Yenifakılı
• Yerköy
• Yozgat (Central)

Çapanoğlu Mosque

Built in 1779 during the Ottoman period by the Çapanoğulları family, it is one of the city’s most important architectural works. The mosque features two minarets and a single dome.

Kerkenes Ruins

Located in the Sorgun district, the Kerkenes Ruins are the remains of an ancient city founded by the Medes in the 6th century BCE. The walls and temple remains uncovered during excavations hold significant archaeological value.

Basilica Therma (Sarıkaya Roman Bath)

Located in the Sarıkaya district, this bath dates to the Roman period and is among the most important historical remains in the region. The bath’s hot water springs remain active to this day.

Çeşka Underground City

Located near the city center of Yozgat, this underground city dates to the Byzantine period and was used for defensive purposes.

The governorship of Yozgat is currently held by Mehmet Ali Özkan. The following individuals have served as governors from the past to the present:

• Ali Rıza Bey (1927–1931)
• Ali Galip Bey (1931–1932)
• Bekir Sami Baran (1932–1936)
• Abdullah Fevzi Gürel (1937–1940)
• Saip Okay (1940–1944)
• Sadri Aka (1944–1946)
• Kazım Demirer (1946–1947)
• Osman Şahin Baş (1947–1949)
• İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil (1949–1950)
• Hayrı Özlü (1950–1951)
• Muzaffer Kuşakçıoğlu (1952–1953)
• Adil Aktan (1966–1970)
• C. Orhan Mirkelam (1972–1975)
• Amir Çiçek (2006–2010)
• Necati Şentürk (2010–2012)
• Abdulkadir Yazıcı (2012–2016)
• Kemal Yurtnaç (2016–2018)
• Kadir Çakır (2018–2020)
• Ziya Polat (2020–2023)
• Mehmet Ali Özkan (2023–Present)

The administration of Yozgat Municipality is currently led by Kazım Arslan as of 2024. The following individuals have served as mayors from the past to the present:

• 3 September 1950 Fevzi Ayan
• 13 November 1955 Hayri İnal
• 17 November 1963 Salim Korkmaz
• 2 June 1968 Salim Korkmaz
• 9 December 1973 Bekir Cevdet Dündar
• 11 December 1977 Yaşar Erbaz
• 25 March 1984 Cemil Çiçek
• 26 March 1989 Mehmet Erdemir
• 27 March 1994 Mehmet Erdemir
• 18 April 1999 Mehmet Erdemir
• 28 March 2004 Yusuf Başer
• 29 March 2009 Yusuf Başer
• 30 March 2014 Kazım Arslan
• 31 March 2019 Celal Köse
• 31 March 2024 Kazım Arslan