Zonguldak

Zonguldak, city in northern Turkey, capital of Zonguldak province. It is situated on the Black Sea coast, east of İstanbul, in a well-forested and mountainous area drained by the rivers Aras, Filyos, and Ova. The region consists of fertile lowlands that produce corn, flax, and vegetables. Zonguldak is a coal-mining city; the industry grew during the late 19th century, leading to a swift increase in the city’s population. After 1940 the Turkish government developed coal mining extensively and today about 80 per cent of the city’s workforce is involved in the industry. The Zonguldak Technical School of Mining is located in the city. The medieval city of Safranbolu, an important caravan station and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, is in the province. Population 116,725 (1990).