Macedonia (Greece) facts for kids
Macedonia is a special historical and geographical area in northern Greece. It's the second largest region in Greece by population and is often called Northern Greece along with Thrace. This region is located between the Pindus Mountains and the Nestos river. It shares borders with Epirus and Thessaly to the west, Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia to the north, Bulgaria to the northeast, and Thrace to the east. The Aegean Sea washes its southern coasts.
Macedonia is divided into three smaller parts: West Macedonia, Central Macedonia, and East Macedonia and Thrace. In 2001, about 2,424,765 people lived here, and its total size is 34,177 square kilometers. The main city and capital of Macedonia is Thessaloniki, which has about 1,000,000 people. Macedonia's special song is Μακεδονία Ξακουστή, which means Famous Macedonia.
Geography of Macedonia
Macedonia is a land with many mountains. The tallest mountain is Mount Olympus, which stands at 2,917 meters high. There are also many large valleys, some of the biggest in all of Greece. Important rivers like the Aliakmon, Axios, Nestos, and Strymonas flow through these valleys. All these rivers eventually empty into the Aegean Sea.
Regions and Cities
Macedonia is made up of different areas called prefectures. There are 13 main prefectures. Sometimes, people say there are 14 because of Mount Athos, which is a special monastery region that governs itself.
The three main parts of Macedonia are:
- West Macedonia: Its capital city is Kozani.
- Central Macedonia: Its capital city is Thessaloniki.
- East Macedonia: This part is within the larger region of East Macedonia and Thrace. Its capital city is Kavala.
The total area of Macedonia is about 34,177 square kilometers, and its population is around 2,424,765 people.
Here are some of the largest and most important cities in Macedonia:
- Thessaloniki: This is the largest city and the capital of Macedonia. It's a very important center for business and culture.
- Kavala: A major port city in East Macedonia.
- Katerini: Located near the coast, south of Thessaloniki.
- Serres: An important city in Central Macedonia.
- Drama: A city in East Macedonia.
- Kozani: The capital of West Macedonia.
- Veria: Another significant city in Central Macedonia.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The expansion of the ancient Macedonian Kingdom up to the death of Phillip II
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The Lion of Amphipolis; built in the 4th century BC to honor Laomedon of Mytilene, a general of Alexander the Great
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A view of the Roman-era Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki, the capital of Roman Macedonia
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A view of the Byzantine fortress in the old town of Kavala.
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The old Frankish Platamon Castle.
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Metrophanes Kritopoulos, a famous theologian and monk who became the Patriarch of Alexandria. He was born in Veria in 1589.
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The 1st Battalion of the National Defence army marching towards the front during World War I.
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The port of Thessaloniki, which is a major center for trade and industry.
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A view of the Egnatia Odos highway, an important road in Greece.
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A beautiful beach in Chalkidiki.
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The Polyphytos artificial lake on the Haliacmon, which is the longest river in Greece.
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Saint Gregory Palamas Metropolitan Cathedral in Thessaloniki.
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Fanos, an old carnival tradition from Kozani.
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An ethnic map of the Balkans from 1876, showing the different groups of people in Macedonia.
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A newspaper headline from Apogevmatini quoting Kostas Karamanlis: "I myself am a Macedonian, just as 2.5 million Greeks."
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A man dressed in a Macedonomachos uniform.
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The Aromanian (Vlach) village of Nymfaio, showing traditional architecture.
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A Jewish woman from Thessaloniki, from a drawing in the late 19th century.
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The Jewish synagogue in Veria.
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See also
In Spanish: Macedonia (Grecia) para niños
