Rize is a coastal city in the eastern part of the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Rize Province and Rize District. Its population is 119,828 (2021). Rize is a typical Turkish provincial capital with little in the way of nightlife or entertainment. Since the border with Georgia was opened in the early 1990s, the Black Sea coast road has been widened and the town is much wealthier than it used to be. Current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's family has its roots in Rize and the local university is named after him. The city is linked by road with Trabzon, Hopa (55 miles [88 km] east on the Georgian border, and Erzurum. Rize–Artvin Airport started operating in 2022.
Image: Panorama of Rize
Image: Georgian Laz people monument in Rize (Modern Day Turkey)
Image: Entrance of the Castle of Rize, Rize, Turkey
Rize in 1890s
The Black Sea Region is a geographical region of Turkey. The largest city in the region is Samsun. Other big cities are Zonguldak, Trabzon, Ordu, Tokat, Giresun, Rize, Amasya and Sinop.
A view of Ordu on the Black Sea coast
The City Walls of Trabzon and the Eugenius Aqueduct are among the oldest remaining structures in the city.
Zilkale Castle in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province
Panoramic view of the Pontic Mountains in the Black Sea Region of Turkey