Location
Sivas is situated between three valleys. The Kızılırmak Basin connects the city to the Central Anatolian climate, the Yeşilırmak Basin links it to the Black Sea climate, and the Euphrates Basin ties it to the Eastern Anatolian climate. These three waters represent three paths and three different cultures. The city’s natural borders are defined by elevations such as the Kelkit Valley to the north, the Kuruçay Valley and Yaman Mountain to the east, the Kulmaç Mountain and the Tahtalı Mountains to the south, and the Karababa, Akdağlar, and İncebel Mountains to the west.
Geography
Located between longitudes 35 degrees 50 minutes and 38 degrees 14 minutes east, and latitudes 38 degrees 32 minutes and 40 degrees 16 minutes north, Sivas covers an area of 28,488 km². It is the second largest province in Turkey by land area. The majority of the province’s land lies in the Kızılırmak Basin, with parts extending into the Yeşilırmak and Euphrates Basins. The province is bordered by natural features such as the Kelkit Valley to the north, the extensions of the Köse Mountains, Kuruçay Valley, and Yama Mountain to the east, the Kulmaç and Tahtalı Mountains to the south, and the Karababa, Akdağlar, and İncebel Mountains to the west. The main rivers are the Kızılırmak, Kelkit Stream, Tozanlı Stream, Yıldız River, Çallı Stream, and Tohma Stream.
Climate
Sivas has a unique climate compared to surrounding provinces, characterized as a microclimate. Its distinct features include higher elevation, exposure to northern winds, rugged terrain, varying pressure differences throughout the year, and its location in different geographic regions. The general climate is continental, with sections in the Kızılırmak Basin experiencing continental climate, sections in the Yeşilırmak Basin experiencing a Black Sea hinterland climate, and sections in the Euphrates Basin experiencing an Eastern Anatolian climate. Winters are cold and harsh with heavy snowfall, covering the province in snow for 3-5 months. Summers are hot and dry, while spring and autumn are rainy. The northern parts of the province, including Koyulhisar and Suşehri districts, experience a transition from a continental to a typical Black Sea climate, with milder temperatures compared to the interior.
Origin of the Name “Sivas”
During the Roman period, Sivas was known as Sebasteia. Many sources agree that the name Sivas is derived from Sebastia. The city has also been referred to by various names such as Tabura or Talavra, Megalopolis, and Karama, though these names lack definitive historical confirmation. Additionally, the name Diopolis, given by the Roman commander Pompeius in the 1st century BC, appears in historical records. There is also a historical legend that the name Sivas comes from the Sibasip tribe, a branch of the Hittites. During the Seljuk period, Sivas occasionally served as the capital and was an important center for science and trade. Under the Ottoman Empire, it was an administrative center of the Eyalet-i Rum and later became the provincial center under the Republic of Turkey.
Population
The total population of Sivas is 631,112, with the provincial center (including towns and villages) having a population of 329,011. The city has 62 neighborhoods, 16 districts, and 1,245 villages, making it an important administrative region.
Cumhuriyet University
Cumhuriyet University was established in 1974 as the 13th university in Turkey, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Republic. It is one of the leading institutions in the city for health, culture, and education. The university includes 4 institutes, 16 faculties, 5 schools, 1 conservatory, 14 vocational schools, and 25 research and application centers, with approximately 56,000 students. The university employs 1,876 academic staff, 1,804 administrative staff, and about 800 temporary staff.
School Status in Sivas
Sivas center has 160 primary schools, 22 high schools, and equivalent institutions. Across Sivas province, there are 702 primary schools, 70 high schools, and equivalent institutions.
Transportation
Sivas is located at a transit point between Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, the Black Sea, and Southeastern Anatolia provinces. The development of railways in the 1930s and subsequently roads has made Sivas a key junction in the transportation network. Freight transportation is primarily by railway, while passenger transport is mainly by road, facilitated by bus companies operating within and through the province. Recently, the rapidly developing air transportation has added vitality to the local economy.
Road Transport
The province is connected to all other provinces in Turkey by road. Trucks and lorries are significant for freight transport, while passenger transport is provided by local bus companies and intercity buses passing through the province.
Rail Transport
Since 1930, rail transport has been vital in Sivas for both freight and passenger services. Daily trains include the Eastern Express to Kars and Istanbul, the Southern Express to Tatvan, Kurtalan, and Istanbul, the Blue Train to Malatya, Kayseri, and Ankara, and other services to Malatya and Diyarbakır on specific days. There is also a daily Postal Train to Samsun.
Air Transport
The airport is located 23 km from the city center. Daily flights operate between Istanbul and Sivas.
