Ispiri District (İspir İlçe) in Turkish Wikipedia

Abstract

Ispir Ilçe (district) is a part of Erzurum Province, Turkey. It lies in the headwaters of the Chorokhi River. Historically, it was a region of Georgia known as Speri. The district consists of 89 villages, according to the current official nomenclature. The central settlement, or administrative center, is the city of Ispir.

Numerous settlements in Speri have been mentioned in both Georgian and foreign sources since ancient times. Nevertheless, it can be stated that this area remains relatively under-researched compared to other regions of the Chorokhi basin. As part of the comprehensive research process, there is a natural interest in digital information sources. This paper primarily relies on data from Turkish Wikipedia, along with various other sources and scientific literature, as well as field materials collected over the years during expeditions in the Chorokhi basin.

The Turkish-language section of Wikipedia has existed since 2002. It contains a wealth of information about the country in general and the settlements of the Chorokhi basin in particular. Each village has its own dedicated page, which adheres to a standard format that includes details about the village’s history and location. Maps and population statistics are also provided, along with the article’s editing history and a list of sources and literature that have been referenced.

The historical chronicle presents information about the ancient name of the village, occasionally clarifying the meaning of the root word. Based on the historical Ottoman census records—mainly from 1642 and 1835, and at times referring to the 1896 census or others—the number of households in ancient times is documented by religious affiliation.

Over the years, a consistent informational framework and general standard have been established; however, there are instances where this standard is overlooked, resulting in a broader and more engaging presentation of information. The editing of articles and the relationship between subjective and objective layers of information can also be discussed.