# Arhavi

Arhavi (Laz: არქაბი/Arǩabi; Georgian: არქაბი/arkabi) is a town in Artvin Province located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Arhavi District. Its population is 17,558 (2022), making it the third most populous municipality in Artvin Province. Laz people form a large portion of the population. The terrain is hilly and mountainous. Area of the city center is about 6 km$^2$ (2.3 sq mi). The length of the coast is about 10 km (6.2 mi). Arhavi is famous by the Culture and Art Festival that celebrated since 1973.

## Etymology

Arhavi is "Arkabi" in Laz means "Old Viçe" or "Old village" Georgian: არქაბი and was formerly known as its river "Kapisre".

## History
### The Ottoman Period

Arhavi was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1486.
During the First World War, in which the Ottoman Empire was an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, the Russian army occupied Arhavi on 14 January 1916.

### The Republican Period
## Geography

Arhavi Black Sea Region is located in the eastern Black Sea. It is bordered by the Black Sea in the North, the city lies west of Hopa and east of the Yusufeli border. The South is surrounded by hazelnut forests.
A typical Black Sea climate prevails in the district, characterized by warm summers and cool winters. In every season rainfall is common. The humid and mild climate is suitable for the cultivation of tea, nuts, corn and citrus.
The people of Arhavi are mainly Laz and the district attracts visitors from neighbouring Georgia.

### Landforms

Arhavi's terrain is mountainous and hilly. The surface of the district forms the eastern Black Sea mountains and outlines Poplar (Kapisre) Time course of the river that connects him with deep valleys that constitute half. Districts in the region over the central plains, where the plane is no exception.
Very rugged topography of the district and the supply structure is defective in a particular period and it says connecting Şahinkaya Poplar, agar, Fish, and Lome says Double Bridge and erode the land is deeply split. Therefore, roughly 2,000 feet (610 m) from the area between the flat coastal plain with no backup is not found immediately. Poplar Box and connect to it says the deep valleys that have opened branches in the district but also the most important transportation creates güzergahlarini.
Arhavi most dominant topographical features are also especially the mountains to the south will rise up to 3000 meters. The main peaks Kiziltepe (3210 m), Çatkaya (2985 m), Sheep Plateau (2292 m), Mete (2142 m), Sewing (2068 m), Watts (1180 m), Agra (1143 m), top peak (1049 m), Demirağa (1013 m) is. From north to south within the rapidly rising terrain south of the plateau is in place. 30–2000 meters bulnmaktadır numerous plateaus. Mainly agar, Soguksu, Şenyurt, Summer, of Spring, the Raiders, sunny, Mete Aydin express this village. Glacial erosion in this area is to be effective in large and small lakes are numerous. Their main gadit, Sarıgöl, variegated, Büyükagara, and karagöllerdir Küçükagara.

### Climate

Temperature and precipitation within a year distribution when it comes to, in the region (Arhavi 12 m) in the hottest month (July) 's average of 22.1 °C, the coldest month (January)' s average of 7.2 °C. When performing the most rainy months (October) 's average 266.7 mm. At least rainfall of the month (May) 's average is 84.8 mm. Annual temperature of 13.6 °C. amplitütü. Amplitütü annual rainfall is 181.9 mm wide.
While the rainy season, autumn rainfall from the area is the season of spring is at least fall. But there are no significant differences among seasons. Following up on a regular basis every season rainfall is spread. This applies to regular temperature distribution. However, the sudden temperature drop in some years appears to have caused the frost, it has also damaged local crops quite. E.g. tea plants generally can not stand frost. After the tree developed -4 meters easily and resist the cold. If this continues for a long time, but low temperatures will be obtained will decrease the quality of tea.

### Vegetation

From the shore about 750 meters high, the court broad-leaved coastal forest, with lush, dense forest formations is also a rich forest, six formations from the ink of this upgrade step, "Colchicine Flora" with the name that is recognized. This step is the dominant tree trees red beard. Other types of beech, chestnut, linden species, Hornbeam, Elm, and Sycamore creates. And Elm trees along the river valleys of the Red Beard The forests up to the upper limit. Beech communities in common between 600 and 1200 meters to 1500 meters in height up to. Maroon communities, 500–600 meters in height are seen as rare as the horn up to 1800–1900 meters. The persimmon and wild cherry, but 400–500 feet high up to be seen. Still other species up to this height as karrışık Laurel, Melia azedarach and boxwood tree is seen. Hopa is true in part can be found in yellow pine.

### Quarters

The town Arhavi consists of 7 quarters: Aşağı Hacılar, Cumhuriyet, Kale, Musazade, Yemişlik, Yukarı Hacılar and Boğaziçi.

## Government

Elected mayors and political parties by year:
    2024 - Turgay Ataselim AKP
    2019 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu CHP
    2014 - Coşkun Hekimoğlu AKP
    2009 - Coşkun Hekimoğlu AKP
    2004 - Musa Ulutaş CHP
    1999 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu ANAP
    1994 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu DYP
    1989 - Mehmet Çorbacıoğlu SHP
    1984 - İ.Fethi Özkazanç SODEP
    1977 - Kazım Kurdoğlu AP
    1973 - AP
    1968 - Rüştü Hatinoğlu AP
    1963 - CHP

## Culture and art
### Arhavi Culture & Arts Festival

The Arhavi Kültür ve Sanat Festivali is an annual festival which first took place in Arhavi in 1973. The festival which runs for three days is usually held in August. During the festival, popular musicians from all over Turkey perform daily. A regular guest singer is the very famous Arhavi native Cengiz Kurtoğlu. Along with the many singers who perform, the local folk dance "Horon" is performed by professional dancers and local school children.

## Well-known citizens
### Arhavili Ismail

"Arhavili Ismail" is a poem about the Turkish War of Independence by Nazim Hikmet, it has been recorded by Zulfu Livaneli, music star born into an Artvin family, and by local musician Volkan Konak. One of the most famous people from Arhavi is Efkan Şeşen, he is also a singer.