Ordu and its surroundings have been recorded in literature as one of the oldest settlements in human history, dating back to the 15th century BC.

The ruins found in Bozukkale belong to the "Kotyora" civilization, established by Sinop immigrants of Miletus origin. In addition, ruins bearing the traces of Persian, Byzantine, Hellenistic, Roman, Seljuk, Beylik, and Ottoman civilizations are also encountered. The "Phoenicians," a seafaring people, made expeditions to the Black Sea at various times in the 11th-12th centuries BC and established marketplaces here. In this period, when ocean routes had not yet been discovered, this route was of great importance for transporting goods from Europe to Asia via the Black Sea. With the rise of the Milesians and their dominance over the Black Sea, it is estimated that they settled in the early 6th century in the region located to the northwest of present-day Ordu, which is still used as a cemetery. (Kotyora)

In Greek, Kotyora means "Foothill." This suggests that the town was named according to the characteristics of the place where it was founded. Ordu came under Turkish sovereignty when the "Hacıemiroğulları Beylik" (Principality of Hacıemiroğulları), founded in the Mesudiye district of Ordu by Hacı Emir Bey, son of Bayram Bey of the Turkmen Chepni tribe, succeeded in descending from Mesudiye to the Ordu coast under the command of Emir Süleyman Bey in 1381, and subsequently captured Giresun from the Greeks. Although the principality's sovereignty in Ordu passed to the Ottomans during the time of Çelebi Mehmet and Yıldırım Beyazıt, it sided with Timur in the Yıldırım Beyazıt-Timur war. With the "Battle of Ankara," which resulted in Timur's victory and marked the beginning of the "Interregnum Period" that would last for 13 years and bring the Turkish Union in Anatolia to the brink of dissolution, the principality was rewarded by Timur, and these lands were returned to them. The Hacıemiroğulları Beylik managed to maintain its existence between 1344 and 1461. Ordu was incorporated into Ottoman lands with the Trabzon campaign of Fatih the Conqueror. The Hacıemiroğulları, however, lived on Ordu's lands as a family for many years.

Ordu province is located between 37-38 degrees east meridians and 40-41 degrees north parallels. It is surrounded by Giresun in the East, Samsun in the West, Sivas and Tokat in the South, and the Black Sea in the North. The responsibility area of the province is 115 km. wide and 62 km. deep. The coast is 60 miles long and with its small bays and gulfs, it has places and beaches where sea vessels can easily shelter. The area of the province is 6001 km2.

Beaches; Ordu Province has a 110 km coast to the sea and natural beaches stretch along this coast. Güzelyalı Beach in the center of Ordu, Fasılcık Beach in Gülyalı, Efirli Beach in Perşembe, Çaka, Yason Cape and the surrounding beaches, Kireççi Cape Beach in Fatsa, Uzunkum and Cüri Creek Beach in Ünye are important and prominent beaches of the province.

Highlands; Çambaşı Plateau, Mesudiye Keyfalan Plateau, Aybastı Perşembe Plateau, Akkuş Argın Plateau, Gölköy Aydoğan Plateau and Hill, Yeşilce Topçam Plateau are very convenient for highland tourism. However, the lack of sufficient facilities in terms of accommodation and catering, transportation and promotion problems are among the reasons why the city has not been able to make a significant move in the name of tourism in this field.

Recreation Places; Boztepe, for which folk songs are sung, is the most important recreation place. Boztepe, which has attracted attention with paragliding in recent years, has an insatiable view with its location overlooking the city and the Black Sea. However, the lack of adequate promotion and facilities, and the fact that house constructions have climbed to the summit disrupt the natural texture of this place. The steep and substandard road leading to Boztepe and the lack of a checkpoint cause fatal traffic accidents, especially at night. Boztepe, which is not safe after certain hours, is popular only at certain times of the day and in certain seasons.

Rivers; Melet River, Crane Water and Civil Stream in Ordu, Çaka Stream in Çaka, Bolaman Stream in Bolaman are among the prominent rivers and there is no investment or promotion in order to use these rivers for tourism purposes.