Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MOUNTAIN REGIONS: SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE, 2ND EDITION, ss.295-306, 2016 (SSCI)
The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, with a mountainous coastline of 39,203 km(2) (5.1 % of the country) and population of 3.2 million (2000 census), has the highest peaks (above 3900 m) in the central part of the region. Annual rainfall in the coastal areas ranges from 2000 to 2500 mm resulting in most dense forests in the region. Natural features in the Eastern Black Sea region make living conditions harsh; in addition, the area is difficult to access because of its distance from developed areas and an insufficient infrastructure. The mountain areas in this region suffer from lack of adequate basic services such as transportation, communication, education, and healthcare (Somuncu and Inci 2004). Mountains in the Eastern Black Sea Region are less developed areas. As a result of inadequate incomes and limited availability of basic services such as transportation, health services, and education, local people have been continuously migrating from mountains since the 1950s. Sustainable development is needed to reduce and stop emigrations from the region.