Şenpazar District is an administrative district (ilçe) of Kastamonu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The district's administrative centre is the town of Şenpazar.
Geography
- Located in the western part of Kastamonu Province.
- The district covers an area of approximately 331 km² (according to the Turkish General Directorate of Mapping).
- The terrain is predominantly hilly and forested, characteristic of the interior Black Sea region.
Demographics
- As of the address‑based population registration system (ADNKS) data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for 2022, the district had a total population of 5,391 inhabitants.
- The population is distributed between the central town of Şenpazar and a number of villages.
Administrative Subdivisions
- The district comprises one municipality (the town of Şenpazar) and 23 villages. Some of the villages include:
- Alacık
- Arıt
- Bıçakçılar
- Çetin
- Dumanlı
- Gökören
- Kumlama
- Ortaköy
- Sarıhasan
- Yakaçiftlik
Economy
- The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry.
- Common agricultural products include cereals, legumes, and fruit orchards suited to the district’s climate.
- Small‑scale trade and public services are centered in the town of Şenpazar.
History
- The area now constituting Şenpazar District has been inhabited since antiquity, with archaeological evidence indicating settlement during the Hittite, Phrygian, and Roman periods.
- Throughout the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, the region functioned as a rural hinterland, with its name “Şenpazar” (literally “cheerful market” in Turkish) reflecting its historical role as a local trading center.
Governance
- The district is administered by a kaymakam (district governor) appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.
- Local municipal affairs in the town of Şenpazar are overseen by an elected mayor.
Infrastructure
- The district is accessed via provincial roads linking it to the provincial capital, Kastamonu, and neighboring districts.
- Educational facilities include primary and secondary schools; higher education is accessed in larger urban centers within the province.
References
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) – Address Based Population Registration System, 2022.
- General Directorate of Mapping – Area measurements of Turkish administrative units.
