Ordu Province

Ordu Province is an administrative division on the Black Sea coast of northern Turkey, stretching between the green slopes of the Pontic Mountains and the pebbled shore below. The landscape is cut by steep river valleys, while hillsides are covered with terraced plantations and thick forests.

Greek settlers from Miletus established colonies along this coast in the eighth century BC, which later fell under Persian, Roman, and Byzantine control. After the Ottoman conquest, the area became a military base and was reorganized as a separate administrative unit during the republican era.

The region takes its name from the Ottoman word for army corps, which was used in the 19th century to organize this coastal area for military purposes. Today you can see local producers offering their harvest at small roadside stands, while restaurants along the coast serve traditional dishes featuring cornmeal bread and anchovies.

The coastal road links the larger towns in the north, while smaller mountain villages are reached by winding side roads. District administrative centers offer local services and information during standard office hours.

The hillside nut trees grow so close together that harvesters build temporary wooden platforms among the branches to move safely while picking. These structures are passed down from one season to the next and adjusted to fit the shape of the canopy.

Location: Turkey

Capital city: Ordu

Part of: Trabzon Subregion

Website: http://ordu.gov.tr

GPS coordinates: 40.81139,37.54056

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:36