Kars Municipality

Kars: The Oldest Turkish Province Name in Turkey Located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, the name "Kars" comes from the Karsaks. Kars holds the title of "the oldest Turkish province name in Turkey." Recognizing the importance of globalization among today's rising values, Kars Municipality continuously develops international cooperation with municipalities and educational institutions abroad, keeping up with global developments. In October 1878, a commission was established to oversee municipal affairs. The commission included four members from the Muslim and non-Muslim elite, excluding women, with İsa Sultan Şahtahtinski, a senior official of the governorship, appointed as the head. According to a document obtained from the Ministry of Interior regarding the establishment of the municipal organization in Kars, the municipality was founded in 1920, with Akif Çiçek serving as the first mayor from 1920 to 1921. In 2015, the total population within the Kars provincial borders was 292,660, consisting of 140,620 women and 152,040 men. By 2018, this number slightly decreased to 288,878, with 139,368 women and 149,510 men. Despite the changes in population being minimal, the negative trend in net migration over the three years led to a gradual decline, resulting in a somewhat positive situation. The strategic plan of Kars Municipality for 2015-2019 shows that there was a lack of adherence to the activity and performance indicator guidelines.