Amasya

Amasya is a province of Turkey, situated in the Black Sea Region to the north of the country. Its provincial capital is Amasya. Situated between the Black Sea and inner Anatolia in a region of fertile plains irrigated by the Tersakan, Cekerek and Yesil rivers, the town itself is situated on the Yesil River (Iris river), at 390 metres above sea level. It lies in a naturally beautiful tight river valley, bounded by high peaks and is renowned for its orchards. The north is connected to the heavily populated southern side by five bridges. Economic activities in the region include agriculture and mining as well as textiles and cement manufacture. It was called Amaesia in the first ages, and is mentioned in documents from the era of Alexander the Great. It was the birth place of the geographer and historian Strabo. Amasya is also known as the best apple growing province in the country and in Ottoman times was well known for its madrassas. It was also formally a centre for the Khalwati Sufi order.