Location and size

The ancient city of Trabzon (formerly westernized as 'Trebizond') stands in northeastern Anatolia between the towns of Giresun in the west, Rize in the east, Gumushane in the south and the Black Sea in the north. Renowned for its historical associations, its cultural significance and impressive architecture, the Municipality of Trabzon covers an area of 8.3 sq. km, with a population in excess of 160,000.
 

Climate

Dominated by the Black Sea, the climate at Trabzon differs from the rest of Turkey, being generally warm and humid with yearround rainfall and less extreme temperatures. The surrounding land is remarkably fertile, rich in water, host to many species of plants and flowers, and thickly forested.
 

History

Trabzon takes its name from 'Trapezus', the word for square tables, since the old city walls form a similar shape. It became a Roman state under Arianus (98-117AD), and was later visited twice by Hadrian (I 1 7138AD) who constructed the first harbour in his name.

In the latter half of the thirteenth century, Trabzon became a vital staging post on the flourishing trade routes between Erzurum and Tabriz, and from the Black Sea to Persia. Its continuing importance and growth as an import-export centre made it a desirable prize, and its possession was contested on numerous occasions. The first committed attempt at seizure by the Ottomans occurred- between the years of 1447-1458 when Sultan Murat 11 despatched his fleet, but failed to occupy the city.

Trabzon finally became Turkish in 1461, and has since developed into the major Black Sea port of the present day.