Place Names From Ottoman Times to Present

Abstract

Place names are very important for historians doing research in the field of historical geography as well as for linguists and geographers.. The determination of places whose names had been changed in time causes great difficulties as the places which have been wiped out of the map. Some places are double-named and one of them has been forgotten in time and the other has begun to be used. Morevoer, some names have been changed by administrative authorities. While changing the names arbitrarily could be observed partially during the Ottoman period, it was taken into consideration more seriously during the Republican era and especially in 1950's many place names were changed. Changing names of foreign origin with the Turkish ones was shown as a reason. However, some names that are definitely Turkish as Cepni and Cavuldur from Ogcuz tribes were changed without making the necessary investigations. Afterwards, it was realized that a mistake was being made and this process was stopped.