Erzincan / Erzîngan, historically Yerznka (Armenian: Երզնկա), is the capital of Erzincan Province in eastern Turkey / North Kurdistan / Western Armenia. The city was majorly Armenian in the 13th Century and still 1/3 Armenian populated until the Armenian Genocide when most were deported or massacred.
In the settlement of Erez, at a yet unidentified site, there was a pre-Christian shrine dedicated to the Armenian goddess Anahit. After the Christianisation of Armenia, the temple at Erez was destroyed. It later became known for its extensive monasteries.
The city was completely destroyed by a major earthquake on December 27, 1939 which killed at least 20,000 people. By the end of the year, 32,962 had died due to more earthquakes and several floods. So extensive was the damage to Erzincan city that its old site was entirely abandoned, and a new town was founded a little further to the north.
The city had an official population of 150,714 in 2022, an increase from 86,779 in 2007.
Mulberry tree plantations were found in Erzincan in the early 20th century, which were used in sericulture.
