PONTIC MOUNTAINS

mountains rising out of the northern side of the Anatolia peninsula, northern Turkey, in an area once occupied by the ancient country of Pontus. The range reaches a height of 12,900 feet (3,932 m) and makes a gentle double bend, reflected in the outline of the southern shore of the Black Sea. Dense pine forests cover the hills. On the cultivated land near the sea, tobacco, hazelnuts, tea, and citrus fruits predominate.