Çankırı

Districts

• Atkaracalar
• Bayramören
• Çerkeş
• Eldivan
• Ilgaz
• Kızılırmak
• Korgun
• Kurşunlu
• Merkez
• Orta
• Şabanözü
• Yapraklı

Key points of interest

Underground Salt City (Yer Altı Tuz Şehri)

A 5,000-year-old subterranean rock salt cave system featuring massive carved galleries, salt sculptures, and therapeutic air.

Ilgaz Mountain National Park & Ski Resort

A world-famous alpine national park featuring fir forests, ski slopes, cable cars, and winter sports hotels.

Taş Mescit (Cemaleddin Ferruh Complex)

A landmark 1235 Seljuk medical school and hospital famous for its carved stone reliefs depicting the caduceus snake symbol.

Emir Karatekin Tomb

The hilltop burial shrine dedicated to Emir Karatekin Bey, the 11th-century Seljuk conqueror of Çankırı.

Bayramören Paragliding Center

An internationally recognized paragliding launch hub over the deep Melan River canyon.

Investment outlook

Çankırı is a fast-growing industrial and mining center strategically located between Ankara and the Black Sea ports. The province possesses Europe's largest rock salt reserves, powering major industrial salt refining and chemical processing plants. Çankırı hosts active Organized Industrial Zones, notably the Yakınkent OIZ in Şabanözü, attracting major international manufacturing investments in automotive tires (Sumitomo Rubber AKO), electronics, food processing, and defense industries. Furthermore, Ilgaz Mountain presents high-return investments in winter tourism and alpine hospitality.

Living here

Life in Çankırı provides a safe, serene, and family-friendly environment with low living costs and clean mountain air. Located just 130 kilometers north of Ankara, the city balances quiet Anatolian routines with modern urban amenities. Çankırı Karatekin University infuses youthful vitality into town life, while Ilgaz Mountain and local pine forests offer residents exceptional outdoor weekend recreation.

History & cultural identity

Çankırı holds a deep-rooted historical legacy in Central Anatolia spanning over 4,000 years. Known anciently as Gangra and later Germanikopolis under Roman rule, the city served as a royal capital for the Kingdom of Paphlagonia. During the Seljuk golden age in the late 11th century, Çankırı was incorporated into Turkic rule by Emir Karatekin Bey, developing into an important trade and educational post along northern Anatolian routes. Under Ottoman rule and into the modern Turkish Republic, Çankırı preserved its strategic position as a center for rock salt mining, forestry, and traditional leathercrafts.