# Giresun

> central district and city in Giresun Province, Turkey

**Wikidata**: [Q201095](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201095)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giresun)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/giresun

## Summary
Giresun is a city and the central district of Giresun Province in northern Turkey, situated along the Black Sea coast. With a population of 125,682 as of 2022, it serves as the administrative and cultural hub of the province, historically known by names such as Kerasus and Cerasonte. The city spans 317 square kilometres and is part of the Black Sea Region.

## Key Facts
- **Area**: 317 square kilometres.
- **Population (2022)**: 125,682 (urban and rural combined).
- **Coordinates**: 40.9° N latitude, 38.4167° E longitude.
- **Elevation**: 10 metres above sea level.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+03:00.
- **Country**: Turkey.
- **Capital of**: Giresun Province.
- **Website**: https://www.giresun.bel.tr/ (in Turkish).
- **Social Media**: Twitter (@belediyegiresun), Facebook (belediyegiresun), Instagram (belediyegiresun).
- **Historical Names**: Kerasus, Cerasonte, Kerasunt, Pharnacia.
- **Sister Cities**: Sagae (Japan, 1988), Alba (Italy, 2017), Bátonyterenye (Hungary, 2015), La Louvière (Belgium, 2016), Ölgii (Mongolia, 2016), Shaki (Azerbaijan, 2001), Urmia (Iran, 2008), Kalmar (Sweden, 2008).
- **UN/LOCODE**: TRGIR.
- **GeoNames ID**: 746881.
- **VIAF ID**: 160027215.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n2001046793.

## FAQs
- **What is Giresun's population trend?**  
  The population grew from 89,241 in 2007 to 125,682 in 2022, with fluctuations in urban-rural distribution over the years.  
- **Why is Giresun historically significant?**  
  It was an ancient settlement known as Kerasus, referenced in historical texts like the *Encyclopædia Britannica* 11th edition and the *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*.  
- **Where is Giresun located?**  
  It is situated in Turkey’s Black Sea Region, bordered by the Black Sea to the north and Giresun Province administratively.  
- **What are Giresun's key administrative roles?**  
  It is the capital of Giresun Province and a municipality, serving as the provincial administrative center.  

## Why It Matters
Giresun holds significance as a historic and administrative center in Turkey’s Black Sea Region. Its strategic coastal location has supported trade and cultural exchange since antiquity, evidenced by its ancient names and inclusion in historical encyclopedias. As the provincial capital, it drives regional governance, economy, and tourism, with attractions like its medieval castle and natural landscapes. The city’s population growth reflects its role as a urban hub, while its sister city relationships underscore its global connections.

## Notable For
- **Ancient Heritage**: One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Black Sea region, dating back to antiquity.  
- **Historical Names**: Known in classical sources as Kerasus (Greek: Κεράουσος) and later as Cerasonte.  
- **Sister City Network**: Partnered with eight cities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.  
- **Population Growth**: Urban population increased from 25,331 (1965) to 125,682 (2022).  
- **Cultural References**: Documented in the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary* and *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*.  

## Body

### Geography & Location  
Giresun is nestled in Turkey’s **Black Sea Region**, bordered by the **Black Sea** to the north. It covers **317 square kilometres** and has a low elevation of **10 metres** above sea level. The city’s coordinates are **40.9° N latitude, 38.4167° E longitude**, and it falls within the **UTC+03:00** time zone.

### History  
Historically known as **Kerasus** (Greek: Κεράουσος) and **Cerasonte**, Giresun has ancient roots. It was referenced in the *Encyclopædia Britannica* 11th edition (1911) and the *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia* (vol. 5). The city’s name evolved over time, with variants including **Kerasunt**, **Pharnacia**, and **Kerassunde**.

### Demographics  
As of **2022**, Giresun’s total population is **125,682**, with historical data showing growth:  
- **2007**: 89,241  
- **2010**: 96,948  
- **2018**: 113,761  
- **2020**: 120,186  
The **Address-Based Population Registration System** tracks these figures, distinguishing urban and rural populations. For example, the urban population rose from **25,331 (1965)** to **120,186 (2020)**.

### Administration  
Giresun serves as the **capital of Giresun Province** and is a **municipality**. Its official website is https://www.giresun.bel.tr/ (in Turkish). The city maintains active social media profiles, including Twitter (**@belediyegiresun**, verified since 2018) with **15,031 followers** as of 2023.

### International Relations  
The city has **eight sister cities**:  
- **Sagae (Japan)**, since 1988  
- **Alba (Italy)**, since 2017  
- **Bátonyterenye (Hungary)**, since 2015  
- **La Louvière (Belgium)**, since 2016  
- **Ölgii (Mongolia)**, since 2016  
- **Shaki (Azerbaijan)**, since 2001  
- **Urmia (Iran)**, since 2008  
- **Kalmar (Sweden)**, since 2008  

### Infrastructure & Identifiers  
Key identifiers include:  
- **UN/LOCODE**: TRGIR  
- **GeoNames ID**: 746881  
- **VIAF ID**: 160027215  
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n2001046793  
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 1835986  

### Culture & Recognition  
Giresun is categorized under **WikiProject Turkey** and **WikiProject Cities**. It has a dedicated **Wikimedia Commons category** and **gallery**, and its monuments are listed in the **Kulturenvanteri** database (ID: 13574). The city is also featured in the *TDV Encyclopedia of Islam* and has a **WorldCat Entities ID** (E39PBJgMDBc6y4p79bvxyfqxXd).

## References

1. [Source](https://statoids.com/ytr.html)
2. [Source](https://giresun.bel.tr/profil/kardes-sehirler)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tr.htm)
8. Quora
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File