Akçakoca is a town in Düzce Province, in the East Marmara region of Turkey, located about 200 km east of Istanbul. It is the seat of Akçakoca District. Its population is 27,878 (2022). The town was named after a Turkish chieftain of the 14th century CE who captured the area for the Ottoman Empire, and sports a statue in his honor. The town features a modern mosque of unusual design. Tourist attractions include beaches and a small ruined Genoese castle. It is the regional center of hazelnut cultivation.
Name
Akçakoca was known as Diapolis or Dia in the classical period. However, after the Turkish conquest, Akçaşehir became more common, before being changed to Akçakoca in 1934.
Population
Although Akçakoca's estimated population is about 30,000; it increases during summer months, due to tourism activities and cottage owners. Due to war, specifically the one between the Ottomans and Russia in 1877–1878, a wide range of people, most of whom had roots in the Pontic region (Lazes, Georgians, and Abkhazians), emigrated from their native lands to settle in Akçakoca.
History
Latin-Nicea Empires Period and Genoese
During the Fourth Crusade, European armies conquered Constantinople in 1204, founding the Latin Empire for a short period. Because of this situation, the Genoese established commercial bases on the Western Black Sea coasts for their interests, which included a Genoese castle in Akçakoca. This castle helped to protect trade routes in the area and was used for commercial activities itself. When the Nicea Empire reconquered Constaninople in 1261, Akçakoca, which was under the auspices of the Nicea Empire, came under Byzantine rule again.
Turkic people seem to have been living in Akçakoca since 1243, after Mongol pressure and defeat. From Kastamonu, the Oghuz tribes of Kınık and Üçok migrated westward, some of them came to Akçakoca and settled. The Oghuz Turks then plundered Genoese trade centers and Greek villages, upon which the Genoese and Greeks complained to the Byzantine Emperor, the Byzantine Emperor responded to the complaints and brought and settled Christian Cumans, Pechenegs, Uzes from Romania Dobruja to protect the region against the Turkmens. Oguz from the Kayı tribe settled here.
The Seljuks and Ottoman
Before the crusades, The Seljuk Sultanate of Rum controlled the region around Akçakoca.
There is no evidence that a military action was taken by the Ottomans to conquer Akçakoca from the Byzantines. According to some historians, the Turk population submitted to Ottoman rule without military action.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Akçakoca was part of the Kastamonu Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire.
Republic
After the foundation of Turkish Republic, it was renamed Akçakoca. The first governor was Ali Zarifi (Okay). Due to the 1999 Düzce and Marmara earthquakes, Düzce had been declared a province by the government, and the town was included in the new province as a district.
Economy
Tourism
After the 1950s, touristic activities in summer seasons attained an important place in Akçakoca's economy. The construction of tourism facilities and new transportation improvements further influenced tourism in the late-1970's.
Water sports
Numerous water sports such as sailing, swimming, water skiing, sunbathing, fishing, scuba diving, are performed in Akçakoca. Sailing and diving have become more prominent in the last few years. In 2010, sailing races have been held as part of the 14th Akçakoca Festival. Furthermore, the first Marine and Sailing Club in the town was opened in town in 2012.
Heavy industry
Akçakoca has one large factory, which produces large pipes for a variety of purposes. It has great importance both Akçakoca and Ereğli. Akçakoca also has only natural gas platform over the Black Sea. There are four platforms which three of them are small and one is big.
Fishing
Fishing is traditional job in Akçakoca. Anchovies, nonita, bluefish, whiting, red mullet, clams, jack mackerel, sea bass, salmon, trout, and turbot are some of fish that can be found.
Government
One governor's office and one municipality building can be found in Akçakoca. It has one state hospital, one rest home and a small tourism office for tourists.