View source for Yozgat

{{Short description|City in Turkey}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox Turkey place
| type                 = municipality
| name                 = Yozgat
| other_name           = 
| image_skyline        = Ormancıların_Emekleri_Burada_-_panoramio.jpg
| image_caption        = 
| image_logo           = Yozgat (Stadt) Wappen 2013-11-30 16-03.jpg
| coordinates          = {{coord|39|49|15|N|34|48|30|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| province             = Yozgat
| district             = Yozgat
| leader_party         = YRP
| leader_name          = Kazım Arslan
| area_footnotes       = 
| area_total_km2       = 
| elevation_m          = 1300
| population_footnotes = <ref name=tuik/>
| population_total     = 92643
| population_as_of     = 2022
| postal_code          = 66000
| area_code            = 0354
| website              = {{url|https://www.yozgat.bel.tr/}}
}}
'''Yozgat''' is a city in the [[Central Anatolia Region]] of [[Turkey]]. It is the seat of [[Yozgat Province]] and [[Yozgat District]].<ref name=il>[https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx İl Belediyesi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706215822/https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx |date=2015-07-06 }}, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 22 May 2023.</ref> Its population is 92,643 (2022).<ref name=tuik>{{Cite web |title=Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports|url=https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en |access-date=22 May 2023|publisher=[[TÜİK]]|language=en|format=XLS}}</ref>

==History==
{{Missing information|section|the early history of Yozgat. It concentrates on archaeological surveys of the city, rather than the history of the area|date=May 2021}}
[[File:Yozgat Clock Tower 3997.jpg|180px|thumb|Yozgat clock tower]]
Formerly known as Bozok, the area surrounding Yozgat hosted many civilizations such as that of [[Pteria (Cappadocia)|Pteria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/1164095|title=ARASI YOZGAT İLİNİN SOSYO-KÜLTÜREL TARİHİ|access-date=2023-03-31|author=Derya BÜYÜKBAŞ|language=tr}}</ref> and [[Corniaspa]] (East of Yozgat).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imperium.ahlfeldt.se/places/27590|title=E Yozgat - Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire|access-date=2023-03-31|author=Johan Åhlfeldt|language=en}}</ref>

The first surveys were started in the year 1993. Since then archaeologists have uncovered countless artifacts belonging to 5 different ancient civilizations from the area and as well as artifacts that belong to 5 different eras – the Bronze, Hellenistic, Hittite, Copper and Upper Byzantine eras.

Surface excavations and surveys were also undertaken on the Kerkenes plateau by Dr. [[Geoffrey Summers (archaeologist)|Geoffery Summers]], a British archaeologist. The plateau is believed to be the home to the lost city of Pteria. The search for this lost city as well as other old world constructions began in 2013, and it plans to go on till the month of August as well. The expedition covers an area which is surrounded by walls and is known to date back to almost 2600 years.

According to historical reports, Pteria was destroyed, burned and abandoned during the [[Battle of Pteria]] between the [[Lydians]] and the [[Medes]]. This battle ended during a solar eclipse on 28 May 585 BC, and it was understood to be an [[omen]] that the gods wanted the fighting to stop.

Another excavation site in the region that deserves to be mentioned is in Kusaklu Tumulus. A team headed by Dr. Stefania Mazzoni has been working at the site since the year 2008, and it is believed that the Hittite civilization as well as the city of Zippalandawas once existed in the region. As a part of these excavations a 2000-year-old Roman bath that was said to be used to heal people from their wounds has been discovered. Traces of the Roman, [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuq]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] eras have also been found in the region.

With so much of history yet to be uncovered from a single city, [[archaeologist]]s remain hopeful of unearthing many more wonders of the ancient world in the next few months. It has already been proved that the area was home to numerous civilizations that date all the way back to the Roman era. Archaeologists remain hopeful of managing to unearth many more old world structures and secrets as time passes by.

After the old administrative center of the region, [[Tavium]] ([[Büyüknefes]]), became ruined, a new centre was created by Çapanoğlu, the founder of a powerful [[derebey]] family and called [[Yozgat Province|Bozok]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Yuzgat |volume=28 |page=947}}</ref>

=== Ottoman era ===
The [[Ottoman Empire]] annexed Yozgat in 1398. At around 1911, it was the chief town of a [[sanjak]] of the same name in the [[Angora Vilayet|Ankara Vilayet]]. There was a trade in yellow madder ([[Stil de grain yellow]]) and [[mohair]]. The sanjak was very fertile, and contained good breeding-grounds in which cattle, horses and even camels were reared for the local agriculture and foreign trade.

Yozgat was the site of a prisoner of war camp in the [[World War I|First World War]], holding British and Empire officers captured at the [[Siege of Kut]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gutenberg-e.org/steuer/steuer/archive/AppendixA/Turkish%20Prison%20Camps/prison_shell.html?Yozgad|title=Pursuit of an 'Unparalleled Opportunity'|last=Steuer|first=Kenneth|pages=Appendix A|access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> including [[E. H. Jones (author)|E. H. Jones]] and [[C. W. Hill]], whose escape attempts were recounted in the book ''The Road to En-dor''.<ref>{{cite DWB|id=s2-JONE-HEN-1883|title=Jones, Elias Henry|access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
The town is located at an elevation of 4,380&nbsp;ft (1,335&nbsp;m), situated 105&nbsp;mi (170&nbsp;km) east of [[Ankara]], near the head of a narrow valley through which the Ankara–Sivas road runs. Like much of the [[Anatolian Plateau]], the lands around Yozgat have been deforested over thousands of years of human habitation. This makes the climate and weather harsh, in summers and winters. However, [[Turkey]] has taken great steps to [[reforest]] at least some of the region.

===Climate===
Yozgat has a [[continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dsb'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Dc'') with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Hottest month averages at {{convert|26|C|0}} during the day. Winter temperatures can drop as low as {{convert|-20|C|1}} at the height of the season.

{{Weather box 
|metric first= Yes 
|single line= Yes 
|location= Yozgat (1991–2020, extremes 1929–2023)
| Jan record high C = 15.4
| Feb record high C = 18.5
| Mar record high C = 25.0
| Apr record high C = 29.5
| May record high C = 31.4
| Jun record high C = 33.1
| Jul record high C = 38.8
| Aug record high C = 37.4
| Sep record high C = 35.4
| Oct record high C = 30.1
| Nov record high C = 22.9
| Dec record high C = 18.2
| year record high C = 38.8
| Jan high C = 2.8
| Feb high C = 4.7
| Mar high C = 9.1
| Apr high C = 14.5
| May high C = 19.5
| Jun high C = 23.6
| Jul high C = 27.1
| Aug high C = 27.5
| Sep high C = 23.7
| Oct high C = 17.8
| Nov high C = 10.7
| Dec high C = 4.9
| year high C = 15.5
| Jan mean C = -1.3
| Feb mean C = -0.1
| Mar mean C = 3.7
| Apr mean C = 8.8
| May mean C = 13.4
| Jun mean C = 17.2
| Jul mean C = 20.3
| Aug mean C = 20.6
| Sep mean C = 16.6
| Oct mean C = 11.5
| Nov mean C = 5.0
| Dec mean C = 0.7
| year mean C = 9.7
| Jan low C = -4.8
| Feb low C = -4.1
| Mar low C = -0.8
| Apr low C = 3.5
| May low C = 7.8
| Jun low C = 11.3
| Jul low C = 13.8
| Aug low C = 14.2
| Sep low C = 10.4
| Oct low C = 6.3
| Nov low C = 0.5
| Dec low C = -2.6
| year low C = 4.6
| Jan record low C = -23.7
| Feb record low C = -24.4
| Mar record low C = -20.6
| Apr record low C = -12.6
| May record low C = -3.0
| Jun record low C = -0.4
| Jul record low C = 3.0
| Aug record low C = 3.7
| Sep record low C = -2.4
| Oct record low C = -6.8
| Nov record low C = -18.5
| Dec record low C = -20.2
| year record low C = -24.4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 66.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 58.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 70.7
| Apr precipitation mm = 58.4
| May precipitation mm = 68.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 47.1
| Jul precipitation mm = 12.8
| Aug precipitation mm = 16.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 22.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 40.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 57.4
| Dec precipitation mm = 76.7
| year precipitation mm = 595.7
| Jan precipitation days = 13.93
| Feb precipitation days = 13.33
| Mar precipitation days = 13.93
| Apr precipitation days = 13.27
| May precipitation days = 13.9
| Jun precipitation days = 10.2
| Jul precipitation days = 3.2
| Aug precipitation days = 2.83
| Sep precipitation days = 4.67
| Oct precipitation days = 8.23
| Nov precipitation days = 8.63
| Dec precipitation days = 13.7
| year precipitation days = 
 | Jan humidity = 78.6
 | Feb humidity = 74.9
 | Mar humidity = 69.9
 | Apr humidity = 65.1
 | May humidity = 65.0
 | Jun humidity = 62.8
 | Jul humidity = 57.2
 | Aug humidity = 56.9
 | Sep humidity = 58.6
 | Oct humidity = 66.1
 | Nov humidity = 71.6
 | Dec humidity = 78.0
 | year humidity = 67.0
| Jan sun = 95.2
| Feb sun = 117.4
| Mar sun = 156.2
| Apr sun = 194.4
| May sun = 242.9
| Jun sun = 282.7
| Jul sun = 328.0
| Aug sun = 317.0
| Sep sun = 249.4
| Oct sun = 194.2
| Nov sun = 143.8
| Dec sun = 86.8
| year sun = 2408.0
| Jand sun = 3.1
| Febd sun = 4.3
| Mard sun = 5.1
| Aprd sun = 6.5
| Mayd sun = 7.9
| Jund sun = 9.6
| Juld sun = 10.7
| Augd sun = 10.4
| Sepd sun = 8.5
| Octd sun = 6.4
| Novd sun = 4.9
| Decd sun = 2.9
| yeard sun = 6.7 
|source 1 = [[Turkish State Meteorological Service]]<ref name ="TSMS">{{cite web
| url = https://www.mgm.gov.tr/veridegerlendirme/il-ve-ilceler-istatistik.aspx?k=H&m=YOZGAT
| title = Resmi İstatistikler: İllerimize Ait Mevism Normalleri (1991–2020)
| publisher = Turkish State Meteorological Service
| language = tr
| access-date = 7 August 2021}}</ref>
 | source 2 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] (humidity, sun 1991-2020)<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Turkiye/CSV/Yozgat_17140.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Yozgat
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 17, 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Sights==
[[File:YOZGAT NİZAMOĞLU KONAĞI ETNOĞRAFYA MÜZESİ.jpg|thumb|Yozgat Ethnography Museum]]

The main sights of the city of Yozgat are the [[Yozgat Clock Tower]] built in 1908 and the [[Çapanoğlu Mosque]] built by the Çapanoğlu family, who are the founders of Yozgat. [[Yozgat Pine Grove National Park]] is an area of {{convert|264|ha|km2|abbr=on}} in which different types of pine trees grow, some up to 500 years old.

==Sport==
[[File:Yozgat Bozok Stadyumu.JPG|thumb|Bozok Stadium]]
The city's football team [[Yozgatspor]] plays in the [[Turkish Regional Amateur League]].

==Notable people==
* [[Agah Efendi]] (1832–1885), journalist, publisher of the first Turkish newspaper
* [[Nasuh Akar]] (1925–1984), Olympic gold medalist wrestler
* [[Celal Atik]] (1918–1979), Olympic gold medalist wrestler
* [[Bekir Bozdağ]] (1965), Deputy prime minister
* [[Cemil Çiçek]] (1946), Speaker of [[Turkish Grand National Assembly]]
* [[Aylin Daşdelen]] (1982), European champion female weightlifter
* [[John Ilhan]] (1965–2007), Turkish-Australian businessman
* [[Lütfullah Kayalar]] (1952), former Minister of Finance
* [[Soner Özbilen]] (1947), folk singer
* [[Bozoklu Mustafa Pasha]] (1693–1694), Ottoman Grand Vizier
* [[Yusuf Izzet Pasha]] (1876–1922), Ottoman and Turkish general
* [[Ahmet Şâhin (writer)|Ahmet Şâhin]] (born 1935), writer<ref>{{cite web |title=Ahmet Şahin |url=https://kidega.com/yazar/ahmet-sahin-092966/ |website=kidega.com |publisher=Kidega Elektronik Ticaret ve Yayılık A.Ş. |access-date=18 July 2023 |language=Turkish |archive-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208182812/https://kidega.com/yazar/ahmet-sahin-092966/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Mehmet Topuz]] (1983), footballer
* [[Nida Tüfekçi|Mehmet Nidâ Tüfekçi]] (1929–1993), folk singer
* [[Mehmet Yıldız (footballer)|Mehmet Yıldız]] (1981), footballer
* [[Nubar Ozanyan]] (1956–2017), Turkish-born Armenian communist
* [[Hayko Cepkin]] (1978), Rock Singer
* [[İhsan Oktay Anar]] (1960), Author

==Twin town==
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Érd]], Hungary

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

__NOTOC__
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Yozgat| ]]
[[Category:Yozgat District]]
[[Category:Provincial municipalities in Turkey]]
[[Category:Populated places in Yozgat Province]]