Sustainable Development in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains: Present State and Perspectives - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 217

Table 18.1 Elevation groups
in Turkey

Elevation groups (m) %

0-250 8.0

251-500 9.5

501-1,000 27.0

1,001-2,000 45.5

2,000+ 10.0

very important for Turkey and global ecosystem, because mountainous area of the
region is one of the least-developed areas in the country. Also, the rich flora in the
Eastern Black Sea Region is an important contribution to the world's biodiversity.
The region is in the Caucasus Hot Spot.

18.2 The Eastern Black Sea Region

The Eastern Black Sea Region is in the north-eastern corner of Turkey (Figs. 18.1
and 18.2 ). The region consists of seven provinces: Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize,
and Artvin, facing the Black Sea, and Gumushane and Bayburt, situated away from
the coast. Total population of this region is 2.6 million, accounting for 3.6% of
the national population, and total area is 39,203 km 2 , accounting for 5.1% of the
national area.
Within the Eastern Black Sea Region, high mountain ranges run parallel to the
Black Sea coast in the north with undulating plateau on the southern foot of the
mountains. High ridges trending east-west rise abruptly from the Black Sea coast,
and the coastal plain has narrow openings at few places. The mountain ranges get
higher, narrower, and steeper towards the eastern area. Less than 75 km from the
coast, the Eastern Black Sea Mountains rise to more than 3,700 m, with a maximum

Fig. 18.2 Regional development projects in Turkey