Çıldır District is a district of Ardahan Province in northeastern Turkey. Its seat is the town of Çıldır. The district covers an area of 988 km² (381 sq mi) and had a population of 8,983 as of 2021, giving it a population density of approximately 9.09/km².
Geography and Location The district is located in the northeastern part of the Eastern Anatolia Region, situated on a broad, flat plateau with an average elevation of about 1,950 meters. Its topography includes both hilly and flat areas. The district is best known for Lake Çıldır, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the region, which freezes over in winter and is a notable natural attraction.
Administrative Structure Çıldır District contains one municipality (the town of Çıldır, population 2,552 as of 2021) and 34 villages, including Ağıllı, Akçakale, Akçıl, Akdarı, Akkiraz, Aşağıcambaz, Baltalı, Başköy, Damlıca, Dirsekkaya, Doğankaya, Eskibeyrehatun, Eşmepınar, Gölbelen, Gölebakan, Güvenocak, Karakale, Kaşlıkaya, Kayabeyi, Kenarbel, Kenardere, Kotanlı, Kurtkale, Kuzukaya, Meryemköy, Öncül, Övündü, Sabaholdu, Saymalı, Sazlısu, Semihaşakir, Taşdeğirmen, Yenibeyrehatun, and Yukarıcambaz.
Demographics Most of the rural population of the district is composed of Karapapakhs (also known as Terekemes). The district is also populated by Turks.
History and Etymology According to the official Ardahan Governorate website, Çıldır is considered one of the oldest Turkish settlement centers. Historical references mention that Saka Turks (also known as Scythians) arrived in the region between 650–700 BC. The name "Çıldır" is said to derive from "Çavuldur," a branch of the Oghuz Turks, with the name evolving phonetically from Çavuldur (Çaldur) to Çıldır.
Government The district's kaymakam (district governor) is Muhammed Enes İpek.
