Tuzluca

Tuzluca ( _hy. Կոգհբ; Russian: Когб; Kurdish: Elîdizk; formerly known as Koghb, Kulp, and Goghb) is a town and district of Iğdır Province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. Part of the district forms the international border between Turkey and Armenia.

Name

The town was later renamed "Tuzluca", "Tuz" meaning "salt" in Turkish. The Turkish name is derived from the salt mines that have existed here since at least medieval times; a salt mine still operates.

History

During the medieval period, Tuzluca was part of the Kingdom of Bagratuni Armenia. The area later became a scene of 300 years of warfare between Turks (especially the Ottoman Empire from 1534 onwards) and the Persian Empire. It was especially coveted for its salt mines. In 1746, the region was finally ceded to Persia and became part of the Erivan khanate. After the Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828 and Treaty of Turkmenchay, it passed from Persian to Russian control. Under Russian rule, the town became part of the Armenian Oblast and later the Erivan Governorate. For a brief period from 1917 to 1920, it was part of the Democratic Republic of Armenia. However, it was ceded to Turkey as a result of the Treaty of Kars.

Armenian poet-singer Ashough Shirin was born here.

Tuzluca today

Today, Tuzluca serves as a highland retreat for asthma patients. Apricots and other fruit and vegetables are grown in the district.

References