Alexandroupolis
Ἀλεξανδρούπολις Αλεξανδρούπολη | |
|---|---|
 The lighthouse at the promenade, a symbol of Alexandroupolis | |
  Alexandroupolis Location within the region  | |
| Coordinates: 40°51′N 25°52′E / 40.850°N 25.867°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Geographic region | Thrace |
| Administrative region | East Macedonia and Thrace |
| Regional unit | Evros |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ioannis Zampoukis[1] (since 2019) |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 1,217.0 km2 (469.9 sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 642.2 km2 (248.0 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021)[2] | |
| • Municipality | 71,751 |
| • Density | 59/km2 (150/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 62,936 |
| • Municipal unit density | 98/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| • Community | 59,723 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 681 00 |
| Area code(s) | 25510 |
| Vehicle registration | ΕΒ |
| Website | www.alexpolis.gr |
Alexandroupolis (Greek: Ἀλεξανδρούπολις, pronounced [aleksanˈðrupolis]) or Alexandroupoli (Greek: Αλεξανδρούπολη, pronounced [aleksanˈðrupoli]) is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Greek Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with a population of 71,751,[3] and is an important port and commercial center for northeastern Greece.[4]
The city was first settled by the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century and grew into the fishing village Dedeağaç. In 1873, it became a kaza and one year later was promoted to a sanjak. The city developed into a regional trading center. Later, it became a part of Adrianople Vilayet. During the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), the area was briefly captured by the Russians. Ottoman rule ended with the First Balkan War, when the city was liberated by Bulgaria in 1912. In the Second Balkan War, Greece took control of the city. With the Treaty of Bucharest (10 August 1913), the city returned to Bulgaria.
With the defeat of Bulgaria in World War I, the city came under Greek control for the second time. In 1920, the city was renamed to honour the King of Greece, Alexander. With the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, Alexandroupolis became an official part of Greece.
The modern city is near the site of ancient Sale,[5] a colony of Samothrace.[6] Alexandroupolis, as well as the whole area from the Evros Delta to Lake Vistonida and the foothills of Rhodope Mountains, was inhabited by Cicones, a Thracian people with whom, according to mythology, Odysseus and his comrades clashed on their return from Troy.[7]
Alexandroupolis benefits from its position at the centre of land and sea routes connecting Greece with Turkey.[8] Landmarks in Alexandroupolis include the lighthouse in the port, the archaeological sites of the Mesimvria Zone, the city's waterfront (the centre of commercial activity), the Ethnological Museum of Thrace, the thermal springs (Hana) of Traianoupoli, the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus and the nearby Evros delta.[8]
Alexandroupolis has developed into a strategic port for both Greece and NATO in 2022, complementing the port of Souda in southern Greece.[9]
- ^ Municipality of Alexandroupoli, Municipal elections – October 2023, Ministry of Interior
- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ 2022census from elstat statistics, retrieved 24 November 2022
- ^ "The comparative advantages of Alexandroupolis as a transit center and energy hub". bigbusiness.gr (in Greek). 8 December 2018. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- ^ D. C. Samsaris, Historical Geography of Western Thrace during the Roman Antiquity (in Greek), Thessaloniki 2005, p. 126
- ^ "Θρακικός Ηλεκτρονικός Θησαυρός - Ιστορία".
- ^ "Thracian online treasure - History". xanthi.ilsp.gr. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
- ^ a b "Alexandroupolis".
- ^ Nedos, Vassilis. "Alexandroupoli crucial for NATO | eKathimerini.com". ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2022-10-02.