# Ordu

> former central district and city in Ordu province, Turkey

**Wikidata**: [Q184539](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184539)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ordu

## Summary

Ordu is a metropolitan municipality and city located on the Black Sea coast in northern Turkey, serving as the capital of Ordu Province. Historically known as Kotyora (Cotyora), the city sits at an elevation of 5 meters above sea level and had a population of 229,214 as of 2020. It transitioned from being part of the Trebizond vilayet to Ordu Province in 1922.

## Key Facts

- **Classification**: Metropolitan municipality in Turkey, city, and former central district
- **Location**: Ordu Province, Turkey (since 1922); previously Trebizond vilayet (1867–1922)
- **Coordinates**: 40.9833°N, 37.8833°E
- **Elevation**: 5 metres above sea level
- **Population (2020)**: 229,214 (Address-Based Population Registration System)
- **Historical Names**: Kotyora, Cotyora, Ordo, Cotiora, Kotyoron, Ordou
- **Country**: Turkey
- **Postal Code Range**: 52100–52200
- **Local Dialing Code**: 0452
- **UN/LOCODE**: TRORD
- **Timezone**: Time in Turkey (UTC+03:00, since October 2, 2018)
- **Head of Government Office**: Mayor of Ordu
- **Official Website**: http://www.ordu.bel.tr/
- **Replaces**: Kotyora (historical settlement)

## FAQs

**What is Ordu's historical significance?**
Ordu was historically known as Kotyora (also spelled Cotyora, Cotiora, Kotyoron), an ancient settlement on the Black Sea coast. It replaced this earlier settlement and was documented in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. The city was part of the Trebizond vilayet from 1867 until 1922, when it became part of the modern Ordu Province.

**What is the population of Ordu?**
Ordu's population has grown significantly over the past decade. According to the Address-Based Population Registration System, the population was 112,525 in 2012, rising to 202,310 in 2015, 200,807 in 2018, 217,640 in 2019, and reaching 229,214 in 2020.

**Which cities is Ordu twinned with?**
Ordu maintains sister city relationships with three municipalities: Marmaris (Turkey), Batumi (Georgia, twinned since February 26, 2011), and Ganja (Azerbaijan).

**How can Ordu be identified in international reference systems?**
Ordu appears in numerous international databases and reference systems including GeoNames (ID: 741100), the German National Library (GND ID: 4210636-9), VIAF (ID: 144697323), the Library of Congress (ID: nr97002320), and the UN/LOCODE system (TRORD).

## Why It Matters

Ordu serves as the administrative and political center of Ordu Province, functioning as a metropolitan municipality with significant local governance authority. Its strategic location on the Black Sea coast has made it an important settlement throughout history, from its ancient origins as Kotyora to its modern status as a provincial capital. The city's documented history in sources like the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition) demonstrates its longstanding recognition as a significant Anatolian urban center. Ordu maintains active international engagement through sister city agreements with Batumi, Ganja, and Marmaris, reflecting its role in regional diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange. The city's digital presence spans multiple platforms with verified accounts reaching tens of thousands of followers, indicating an engaged citizenry and transparent municipal governance.

## Notable For

- **Ancient Black Sea Settlement**: Originally known as Kotyora (Cotyora), representing continuous habitation on the Black Sea coast since antiquity
- **Provincial Capital**: Serves as the administrative center of Ordu Province since 1922
- **Transition from Ottoman Administration**: Moved from Trebizond vilayet (1867) to modern provincial status in 1922
- **Extensive International Documentation**: Appears in over 70 language versions of Wikipedia and numerous international library catalogs
- **Verified Municipal Digital Presence**: Maintains verified social media accounts across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube since 2014
- **Black Sea Port City**: UN/LOCODE TRORD designates it as an internationally recognized location for trade and logistics

## Body

### Geography and Location

Ordu is situated on the southern coast of the Black Sea in northern Turkey at coordinates 40.9833°N latitude and 37.8833°E longitude. The city center lies at an elevation of 5 metres above sea level, reflecting its coastal positioning. The municipality operates within the postal code range 52100–52200 and uses the local dialing code 0452. Since October 2, 2018, Ordu follows Turkey's standard timezone (UTC+03:00) year-round.

### Administrative History

Ordu's administrative status evolved significantly over the past two centuries. From 1867 until 1922, the settlement was part of the Trebizond vilayet under Ottoman administration. In 1922, Ordu became part of the newly organized Ordu Province, serving as its provincial capital. Today, the city functions as a metropolitan municipality in Turkey, holding the office of the mayor of Ordu as its head of government.

### Demographics

Population data from the Address-Based Population Registration System documents Ordu's demographic trajectory:

- **2012**: 112,525 residents
- **2015**: 202,310 residents
- **2018**: 200,807 residents
- **2019**: 217,640 residents
- **2020**: 229,214 residents

This data indicates substantial growth between 2012 and 2015, with continued expansion through 2020.

### Historical Nomenclature

The city has been known by multiple names throughout its history, reflecting its multicultural past:

- Kotyora (primary historical name)
- Cotyora
- Ordo
- Cotiora
- Kotyoron
- Ordou
- Arabic: أردو,تركيا and اردو

The municipality officially replaced the earlier settlement of Kotyora, and the name "Ordu" (meaning "army" in Turkish) became the standard designation. In Japanese, the city is rendered as オルドゥ (Orudu).

### International Relations

Ordu maintains formal sister city relationships with three municipalities:

- **Marmaris**: A coastal city in southwestern Turkey
- **Batumi**: A Georgian Black Sea port city (partnership established February 26, 2011)
- **Ganja**: Azerbaijan's second-largest city

These twinning arrangements facilitate cultural exchange and regional cooperation across the Black Sea basin and beyond.

### Digital Presence and Media

The Ordu Metropolitan Municipality operates an active digital footprint across multiple platforms:

- **Official Website**: http://www.ordu.bel.tr/ (Turkish language)
- **Twitter**: @ordubbld (verified account, established April 4, 2014)
- **Facebook**: OrduBBld (location ID: 108641602493503)
- **Instagram**: @ordubbld
- **YouTube**: OrduBBld channel (ID: UC9zbmL8qITRFWpe6GKh6X3g, launched June 7, 2014)

Social media engagement metrics show steady growth: 33,740 followers in January 2021, 37,354 in January 2022, and 40,580 in February 2023. The YouTube channel accumulated 613,414 video views by December 2025.

### Global Documentation and Identifiers

Ordu appears in extensive international reference systems and library catalogs:

- **German National Library (GND)**: 4210636-9, noting "Provinzhauptstadt in der Türkei; an der Schwarzmeerküste" (Provincial capital in Turkey; on the Black Sea coast)
- **FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology)**: 1322780
- **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)**: 144697323
- **Library of Congress**: nr97002320
- **GeoNames**: 741100
- **BBC Things**: ee3bed25-2b75-4f89-a592-5606845874d8
- **WorldCat Entities**: E39PBJhRKH4p9Jw6Mtf9WHJbh3
- **National Library of Israel**: 987007540408505171
- **Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana**: ordu-0 (current), 0047516 (former scheme)
- **TDV Encyclopedia of Islam**: ordu--sehir
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online**: place/Cotyora, place/Ordu

Additional identifiers include Freebase (/m/07jzzx), Who's On First (101911105), GNS Unique Feature ID (-766636), OpenStreetMap Node (26486071), and Yale LUX (place/85bb7157-9e0e-46b6-abd5-42e7f135877a).

### Wikimedia and Encyclopedia Coverage

Ordu is extensively documented across Wikimedia projects:

- **Wikipedia**: Available in 70+ languages including Turkish, English, German, French, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, and many others
- **Wikimedia Commons**: Gallery and category under "Ordu"
- **WikiProject Involvement**: Maintained by WikiProject Turkey and WikiProject Cities
- **Sitelink Count**: 72 interwiki links

The city was documented in the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th Edition (1911), reflecting its established historical significance.

### Categories and Classification

Ordu is categorized under:

- **Main Topic Category**: Category:Ordu
- **People Born Here**: Category:Births in Ordu
- **Associated People**: Category:People from Ordu

The entity is classified distinctly from Orda Khan (a historical Mongol figure) and Ordu Province (the surrounding administrative region), clarifying potential naming ambiguities.

## References

1. [Source](https://statoids.com/ytr.html)
2. [Source](https://batumi.ge/ge/?page=show&sec=5)
3. [Source](https://www.lexpera.com.tr/resmi-gazete/metin/gun-isigindan-daha-fazla-yararlanmak-amaciyla-butun-yurtta-uygulanan-ileri-saat-uygulamasinin-devam-3)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tr.htm)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. YouTube API
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File