......HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

      Çanakkale, an important place of settlement, since the Early Bronze Age, has not only joined Europe, with Anatolia but also the Mediterranean with the Black Sea. The Çanakkale Straits have been one of the Passages providing connection between the seas after the Bosporus. For this reason, it has a very rich history today. Its geographical Iocation helped the people Iiving here dominate the neighboring peoples at the time economically and military. However, this strategic region attracted the others. They came to settle or occupy it by force. In both cases, they caused cultural relations between the peoples. In addition to this, Çanakkale being a trading centre where the cultures intertwined each other greatly. This cultural exchange Iasted centuries at intervals. As a result, a mosaic of cultures emerged in this Iand. During the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror, Kilitbahir Castle near Sestos at the narrows on the Europen side, and Çanak Castle near Abydos on the Asian side of the Straits were built. Today's name of Provincial town was named after Çanak Castle.

        The earliest-known inhabitants of the region Iived in the Chalcolithic sites of Beşiktepe and Kumtepe. They were followed by Trojans who Iived in this Iand dating back from 3000 B.C. to 1200 B.C. without being influenced. After Troy had been sacked, Acheans settled. During the migrations across the Aegean Sea, some others came and settled. Finally, after the death of the Commander Roger De Flor, the Catalonians controlled the region but they handed it over to Turkish Beys after reachking an agreement with them.  

        ADMINISTRATION AND POPULATION

        Theprovince of Çanakkale possesses eleven counties-two of them are island counties thirty-four municipalities and 568 villages. According to the 2000 census the total number of people living within the boundaries of Çanakkale Province is 464.975.The density rate of population is 48 Per square kilometre.

        SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DESCRIPTION

        Education in the Province of Çanakkale is satisfactory. Schooling rate at the primary and secondary levels is very high. Literacy rate in the Province is 93 % . Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University has 9 faculties, 13 two year vocational collages, and 2 institues.They all contribute to the socio-cultural development of the Province. And health services at the provincial scale, are provided by 10 hospitals including a private Medical Centre and the hospital of Social Insurance Department, also 4 Health Centers,58 County Clinics and 201 Regional Health Offices reinforce these services. All of the settlements in the Province have telephone cervices. They have been linked by telephones. The people in the province of Çanakkale, where many cultures developed, are very interested in the socio-cultural activities.

        HANDICRAFTS Manufacturing of ceramic iying the period of B.C. belongs to small private institutions by its inefficient techniques. Usually this sector offers touristic small gifts.

        There were found lots of ceramics with its original shapes. Designs and its interesting glaze drawings beloging to XII and XXI. Centuries of Ottoman period. Manufacturing carpet and rug having special importance in handicrafts has density in Çan.

        Besides these manufacturing of cotton and woolen fabric and processing iron and copper are another interesting handicrafts activities.

        FOLKLORE The folklore of Çanakkale is really rich. Traditional tales and songs which are written or oral coming from the old generation have still Iived at especially wedding ceremonies. The main folk dances of the city are Karşılama, Zeybet, Çeyiz Altı and Halay.

........ECONOMIC DESCRIPTION

        54 percent of the Province is covered by forest,34 percent arable,5 percent grasslands, and 7 percent of it is not cultivated. Economy in the Province depends on agriculture and cattle breeding, but in the recent years the industry which depends on agriculture, and vegetable growing has developed considerably. The industry which deals with the sub-branches of dairy products and sea foods has also developed in the region. Ceramics, cement, artificial skin, petrol chemicals, wine and cognac industries have grown considerably. Mining is also important.