Kozani

Kozani
Κοζάνη
Municipality
Kozani montage. Clicking on an image in the picture causes the browser to load the appropriate article, if it exists.Panoramic view of the city of KozaniMunicipal Garden of KozaniHistorical–Folklore and Natural History Museum of KozaniChurch of Saint NicholasView of the nearby Lake PolifytosNikis Square and its Clock Tower
Clockwise from top: Panoramic view of the city of Kozani, Municipal Garden of Kozani, Historical–Folklore and Natural History Museum of Kozani, Church of Saint Nicholas, View of the nearby Lake Polifytos, Nikis Square and its Clock Tower.
Kozani is located in Greece
Kozani
Kozani
Location within the region
Coordinates: 40°18′N 21°47′E / 40.300°N 21.783°E / 40.300; 21.783
CountryGreece
Geographic regionMacedonia
Administrative regionWestern Macedonia
Regional unitKozani
Districts20
Government
 • MayorIoannis Kokkaliaris[1] (since 2023)
Area
 • Municipality
1,071.3 km2 (413.6 sq mi)
 • Municipal unit366.0 km2 (141.3 sq mi)
 • Community34.371 km2 (13.271 sq mi)
Elevation
710 m (2,330 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Municipality
67,224
 • Density63/km2 (160/sq mi)
 • Municipal unit
53,174
 • Municipal unit density150/km2 (380/sq mi)
 • Community
43,316
 • Community density1,300/km2 (3,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
501 xx
Area code(s)2461
Vehicle registrationKZ, MN
Websitecityofkozani.gov.gr

Kozani (Greek: Κοζάνη, pronounced [koˈzani]) is a town in northern Greece, capital of Kozani regional unit and of Western Macedonia. It is located in the western part of Macedonia, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 metres (2,329 feet) above sea level, 15 kilometres (9 miles) northwest of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km (75 miles) south-west of Thessaloniki, between the mountains Pieria, Vermio, Vourinos and Askio. The population of the Kozani municipality is over 67,000 people.[2] The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.

Kozani is the home of the University of Western Macedonia, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani.

Prefecture building

One of the most important aspects of local folklore is Kozani's carnival at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity of the ancient Dionysiac cult.[3] Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of saffron (Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos.[4][5]

Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia, Thessaly and Epirus. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 kilometres (2 miles) from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the A2 motorway, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.

  1. ^ "Municipality of Kozani, Municipal elections – October 2023". Ministry of Interior.
  2. ^ a b "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.
  3. ^ "Carnival: "Fanoi"of the city of Kozani".
  4. ^ "Kozani Crocus".
  5. ^ "Κρόκος Κοζάνης Greek Red Saffron". www.safran.gr. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30.