Erzurum (also written as Erzerum in some texts until the early 20th century, formerly known as Arzen during the Roman period, Theodosiopolis (after Theodosius I) during the Byzantine period and Կարին (Karin) in Armenian) is a city in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The current name "Erzurum" derives from "Arz-e Rum" (literally The value of the Romans in Persian.)
Erzurum has a population of 361,235 (2000 census.) It is the capital (merkez) of Erzurum Province. Erzurum is the largest province in the Eastern Anatolian Region and is located on a high plateau (1950 m). The city is situated 1757 meters (5766 feet) above sea level and has an extreme continental climate with an average January temperature of -11°C (12°F). Temperatures often drop below -30°C in the winter, with heavy snowfall.
Nene Hatun of Erzurum has become synonymous with the patriotism and bravery of Turkish women who defended the city and its province from Russian attacks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic, resigned from the Ottoman Army in Erzurum which had been the gateway and portal to Turkish tribes migrating to Eastern Anatolia throughout history, and was declared the "Honorary Native" and the freeman of the city, which issued him his first citizenship registration and certificate (Nüfus Cuzdanı) of the new Turkish Republic.
Erzurum Congress is known as one of the cornerstones of the Turkish War of Independence. The fourth President of Turkey, Cemal Gürsel, was a native of Erzurum.
Erzurum offers winter tourism attactions and a major skiing center at the Palandöken Mountain as well as its regional academic medical center, rich architectural historical sites and great monuments from the Seljuk period such as the Çifte Minareli Medrese. International University Sports Federation (FISU) World Winter Games, 2011 Winter Universiade, will be held in Erzurum.
One specialty of Erzurum's cuisine is Cağ Kebab. Although this kebab variety is of recent introduction outside its native region, it is rapidly attaining wide-spread popularity around Turkey.
Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, has served as NATO's southeasternmost air force post during the Cold War.
The city uses the double-headed Anatolian Seljuk Eagle as its Coat of Arms, which was based on the double-headed Byzantine Eagle that was a common symbol throughout Anatolia and the Balkans in the medieval period.
