HISTORY

Terme's history goes back to 1200 BC when the legendary female warrior Amazons had established the city of Themiskyra. The earliest inhabitants are believed to be the seminomadic and warring ghaska tribes, subjugated by the hittites. Phrygians, persians, romans, byzantians followed suit. In 1236, Terme came under the selchuk rule that was ended by the ottomans in 1398.

The municipal organisation was formed in Terme before the proclamation of the Republic.

GEOGRAPHY

Terme is a sub-prefecture under the Samsun Province. It is erected some five kilometres inland and bordered by the Black Sea, Ünye, İkizce, Akkuş, Salıpazarı and Çarşamba clockwise from the north. The Terme river divides the town into two before reaching the Black Sea.

CLIMATE

Black Sea climate prevails in Terme with little temperature differences between seasons and plenty of rain throughout the year. Northern winds blow in winter. They are replaced by the southern ones in summer. Temperature decreases as one moves toward the mountains.

SOCIO -ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

The economy is almost exclusively based on agriculture. The fertile Terme plain produces hazelnuts and the world-famous Terme rice. Poplar plantations are quite expanded. In fact, the second largest poplar forest of the world is in Terme.

Fashing, animal-breeding and apiculture are also widespread. There are several rice and hazelnut processing plants that produce both for the local and national markets and abroad.

TRANSPORTATION

Terme is at a distance of 58 kilometres to Samsun where vehicles may be found round the clock for the trip to the town.

SIGHTSEEING

Many historians and geographers claim that Terme was founded by the Amazons.

Remnants of a bathouse and an aqueduct exist in Sarayköy. There are a good many mosques, chapels and shrines in Terme, some of them as old as four centuries. The Akgöl, Simenit and Silindir lakes and the adjacent reed swamps are the hatching grounds of migrant birds. For this reason, the area is a favourite ground for birdwatchers.

Rice festival in Kocaman, Golden Hazelnut festival in Köybucağı and horse races in Sakarlı are among the traditional events in Terme.

OVERNIGHTING AND MEALS

The newly-opened Garaj Hotel in the town presently meets the overnighting needs. Terme is famous with its pittas served by highquality restaurants where local dishes such as the maize broth, beef and goose stock with croutons and rice with sardines.