Yakakent

Yakakent
Town
Country	Turkey
Region	Black Sea
Province	Samsun
Government
• Mayor	Radi ŞEN
Population
• Total	4,707
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	55810
Area code	(0090)+ 362
Licence plate	55

Yakakent is a central town of Yakakent district of Samsun Province of Turkey. Older name was Gümenos.

History

Yakakent was founded in the second century BC. Its name was Cominus under byzantian rule. The city grew with the advent if migrants from Caucasia during the Russian - Ottoman war and from Salonica. It has become a sub - prefecture in 1991.

Geography

Yakakent is on the provincial borders between Samsun and Sinop and bordered by Black Sea, Alaçam, Canik mountains and Gerze clockwise from the north.

Climate

There are no rains in summer while winters are tepid and rainy.

Socio-Economic Structure

Though the agriculture is the backbone of economy, fishing of major significance. Sturgeons and other species of fish are caught by nearly seventy trawlers. Two factories process the seafood catch and export them mainly to France and other European countries.

Characteristic agricultural products are tobacco, wheat and rice. Carpet - weaving is widespread in the villages.

Transports

Yakakent is 6 kilometres to Alaçam, 33 kilometres to Bafra and 84 kilometres to Samsun. There are frequent daily services to both Samsun and Sinop.

Sightseeing

The earliest settlement was found in the Pilavtepe tumulus. Though mention is made of a castle by ancient historians, no traces of it has so far been found. The Yakakent - Kushimato Brotherhood Sea Games Festival is held every July with participation of folkloric teams from Turkey and Japan.

Overnighting And Meals

A 20 - bed municipal hotel and restaurant and a motel for 12 families are at the seashore. The teachers clup has accommodation for 15. Twelve family boarding houses are available at Sürmeli site some 5 kilometres away from the town. Likewise, the Forestry Administration's motel at Çamgölü lake has ample capacity for overnighting. The local ravioli, with walnut and ground meat fill is much appreciated. Broth with goose and chicken meat is also worth trying.

Sister cities

Yakakent has one sister cities:

• Kushimoto (Japan)