Evros () is one of the

regional units of Greece The 74 regional units of Greece (, ; singular , ) are the country's third-level administrative units (counting decentralized administrations as first-level). They are subdivisions of the country's 13 regions, and are further divided into munici ...

. It is part of the

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

East Macedonia and Thrace Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ( ; , ) is one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It consists of the northeastern parts of the country, comprising the eastern part of the region of Macedonia along with the region of Western Thr ...

. Its name is derived from the river Evros, which appears to have been a

Thracian The Thracians (; ; ) were an Indo-European speaking people who inhabited large parts of Southeast Europe in ancient history.. "The Thracians were an Indo-European people who occupied the area that today is shared between north-eastern Greece, ...

hydronym A hydronym (from , , "water" and , , "name") is a type of toponym that designates a proper name of a body of water. Hydronyms include the proper names of rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, swamps and marshes, seas and oceans. As a subset of top ...

. Evros is the northernmost regional unit. It borders

Turkey Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...

to the east, across the river Evros, and it borders

Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...

to the north and the northwest. Its capital is

Alexandroupolis Alexandroupolis (, ) or Alexandroupoli (, ) is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Greek Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with a population of 71,75 ...

. Together with the regional units Rhodope and Xanthi, it forms the geographical region of Western Thrace. The population density was 32 per km² (2021).

Geography

Evros is one of the largest regional units of Greece. It forms the eastern part of the geographical region Western Thrace, and includes the island Samothrace in the northern

Aegean Sea The Aegean Sea is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Asia. It is located between the Balkans and Anatolia, and covers an area of some . In the north, the Aegean is connected to the Marmara Sea, which in turn con ...

. Its length is about 150 km from north to south (excluding Samothrace). Its width ranges from 70 to 100 km from east to west. The most important rivers are the Evros and its tributary Arda. The

Rhodope Mountains The Rhodopes (; , ; , ''Rodopi''; ) are a mountain range in Southeastern Europe, and the largest by area in Bulgaria, with over 83% of its area in the southern part of the country and the remainder in Greece. Golyam Perelik is its highest peak ...

lie in the west and the southwest. The

lies to the south. The Evros valley is flat. Samothrace is mountainous. The coastal area has a predominantly Mediterranean climate, whereas the northern part and the mountains have a colder continental climate.

Administration

The Evros regional unit is subdivided into 5 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox): *

(1) *

Didymoteicho Didymoteicho ( ) is a town located on the eastern edge of the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, in northeastern Greece. It is the seat of the municipality of the same name. The town (pop. 8,681 in 2021 ...

(2) * Orestiada (3) * Samothrace (''Samothraki'', 4) * Soufli (5)

Prefecture

Evros was established as a

prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin word, "''praefectura"'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain inter ...

in 1930 (), when the former Thrace Prefecture was divided into the Rhodope and Evros prefectures. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the prefecture was transformed into a regional unit within the East Macedonia and Thrace region, with no change in its boundaries. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.

Provinces

*Province of Orestiada - Orestiada *Province of

- Didymoteicho *Province of Soufli - Soufli *Province of

- Alexandroupolis *Province of Samothrace - Samothrace ''Note:'' Provinces no longer hold any legal status in

Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...

History

As a part of Western Thrace, the territory of the Evros regional unit followed the fate of that region. In 1821, several parts of Evros region rebelled, such as Lavara and Samothraki, and participated in the

Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. In 1826, the Greeks were assisted ...

. It became part of Greece in 1920 when it was ceded by

as a result of the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Initially it was part of the Thrace Prefecture, which was subdivided in 1930. During the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), many Greek refugees from Eastern Thrace, next door, settled in the Evros. New towns were built, including Orestiada. The Evros river valley has flooded several times, with the most recent floods taking place in 2005, 2006, 2014 and in 2021 where the multiple and largest floods took place.

Transport

The main roads in the Evros regional unit are: * A2 motorway (Egnatia Odos)/ E90 motorway (... Komotini -

İpsala İpsala (; ) is a town in Edirne Province in northwestern Turkey. It is the seat of İpsala District.Greek National Road 2 (... Komotini - Alexandroupolis - Feres) * Greek National Road 51/ E85 (

Svilengrad Svilengrad (; ; ) is a town in Haskovo Province, south-central Bulgaria, situated at the tripoint of Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Svilengrad Municipality. Geography Svilengrad is close to the ro ...

(Bulgaria) - Orestiada -

- Feres) * Greek National Road 53 ( Ormenio -

Metaxades Metaxades (Greek language, Greek: Μεταξάδες, ) is a large village, municipal unit and a former municipality in the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. This lowland settlement, situated at an alt ...

- Aisymi - Alexandroupolis) A railway line connects Alexandroupolis with Thessaloniki via Komotini, Xanthi and

Drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

. Another line connects Alexandroupolis with Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria via Didymoteicho and Orestiada, with a branch line from Didymoteicho to Uzunköprü, Turkey. The Alexandroupolis International Airport is served by mostly national flights.

Sights

The most important sights of the prefecture are: * Church of Theotokos Kosmosoteira. The church was founded in 1152. It is considered one of the best examples of

Byzantine art Byzantine art comprises the body of artistic products of the Eastern Roman Empire, as well as the nations and states that inherited culturally from the empire. Though the empire itself emerged from the decline of Rome, decline of western Rome and ...

. * Samothrace with the Sanctuary of the Great Gods and its

Archaeological Museum An archaeology museum is a museum that specializes in the display of archaeological artifacts. Many archaeology museum are in the open-air museum, open air, such as the Ancient Agora of Athens and the Roman Forum.David Watkin. ''The Roman Forum ...

. * Evros Delta National Park * Lighthouse of Alexandroupolis * The post-Byzantine churches in the villages of Alepochori ( Church of Saint Athanasius),

( Church of Saint Athanasius) and Paliouri ( Church of Saint Pantaleon) * The ancient Mesimvria-Zoni * Dadia Forest * Fossilized Forest of Lefkimmi * Cyclops Polyphemus Cave in Makri * Burial Tomb of Mikri Doxipara: Roman Tomb which dates from the

2nd century The 2nd century is the period from AD 101 (represented by the Roman numerals CI) through AD 200 (CC) in accordance with the Julian calendar. It is considered part of the Classical era, epoch, or historical period. Early in the century, the ...

** Byzantine Castle ** Çelebi Sultan Mehmed Mosque ** Hamam of Oruç Paşa ** Türbe of Oruç Pasha ** the Kayali Cave and the Vouva Cave * Castle of Pythio * The thermal baths of Traianoupoli * Castle of Avanta-Potamos * The Ethnological Museum of Thrace in

* The Silk Museum of Soufli * Zourafa islet * The village

with its traditional architecture * The Pomak villages Goniko and Roussa with the traditional architecture ** The Seyyid Ali Sultan Tekke near Roussa

Notable people

* Hrysopiyi Devetzi (1976,

), Greek silver Olympic Champion in triple jump (Athens, 2004) * Demis Nikolaidis (1973,

), Greek international footballer, European Champion with

Greece National football team The Greece national football team (, ) represents Greece in men's international Association football, football matches, and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece is one of only ten ...

(Portugal, 2004) * Stelios Venetidis (1976, Orestiada),Greek international footballer, European Champion with

(Portugal, 2004) * Athanasios Tsigas (1982, Aristeino

), Greek footballer * Lefteris Hapsiadis (1953, Kila Feres), Greek lyricist and writer * Andreas Andreadis (1982, Provatonas Soufli), Greek international volleyball player * Marios Giourdas (1973,

), international volleyball player * Thanassis Moustakidis (1962, Soufli), Greek international volleyball player, player with the most appearances with Greece National football team * Nikos Samaras (1970-2013, Orestiada), Greek international volleyball player, player-symbol for the Greek volleyball *

Constantin Carathéodory Constantin Carathéodory (; 13 September 1873 – 2 February 1950) was a Greeks, Greek mathematician who spent most of his professional career in Germany. He made significant contributions to real and complex analysis, the calculus of variations, ...

(1873-1950, Nea Vyssa), Greek mathematician * Dimosthenis Michalentzakis (1998, Feres), Greek Gold Paralympic Champion Swimmer in category S9 (Rio, 2016) * Marinos Ouzounidis (1968,

), former international Greek footballer, now football coach * Manolis Siopis (1994,

), Greek international footballer * Dimosthenis Magginas (1982,

), Greek middle-distance, long-distance runner * Fotis Kosmas, (1926-1995),

) Mediterranean and 7th Olympic winner in decathlon * Kostas Gatsioudis (1973,

), 6th Olympic winner, Mediterranean and Silver World champion, in Javelin throw * Nikos Alavantas (1959, Krios Orestiada), former Greek international footballer *

Giannis Matzourakis Giannis Mantzourakis (; born 6 June 1949) is a Greek professional Association football, football Manager (association football), manager and former player. Early life Born in Romania to a Greek father and Romanian mother. His father an Greek pe ...

(1949,

), former footballer, now football coach *

Nikos Hadjinikolaou Nikos Chatzinikolaou () also spelled as Hatzinikolaou, Hatzinicolaou,Chatzinikolaou or Hadjinikolaou (born 1962 in Alexandroupoli) is a Greek journalist and media entrepreneur. Biography Chatzinikolaou studied at Panteion University without r ...

(1962,

), Greek journalist * Renos Haralampidis (1970, Spilaio), Greek actor, film director * Yannis Stankoglou (1974, Thourio), Greek actor * John III Doukas Vatatzes (1192–1254,

), emperor of

Nicaea Nicaea (also spelled Nicæa or Nicea, ; ), also known as Nikaia (, Attic: , Koine: ), was an ancient Greek city in the north-western Anatolian region of Bithynia. It was the site of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea (the first and seve ...

John V Palaiologos John V Palaiologos or Palaeologus (; 18 June 1332 – 16 February 1391) was Byzantine emperor from 1341 to 1391, with interruptions. His long reign was marked by constant civil war, the spread of the Black Death and several military defea ...

(1332–1391,

Byzantine Emperor The foundation of Constantinople in 330 AD marks the conventional start of the Eastern Roman Empire, which Fall of Constantinople, fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. Only the emperors who were recognized as legitimate rulers and exercised s ...

Bayezid II Bayezid II (; ; 3 December 1447 – 26 May 1512) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1481 to 1512. During his reign, Bayezid consolidated the Ottoman Empire, thwarted a pro-Safavid dynasty, Safavid rebellion and finally abdicated his throne ...

(1481–1512,

) Sultan of the Ottoman Empire * Eugenios Eugenidis (1882–1954,

), shipping magnate * Sürmeli Ali Pasha, (1645-1695,

Grand Vizier Grand vizier (; ; ) was the title of the effective head of government of many sovereign states in the Islamic world. It was first held by officials in the later Abbasid Caliphate. It was then held in the Ottoman Empire, the Mughal Empire, the Soko ...

of the Ottoman Empire *Konstantinos Malamatinas, founder of retsina Malamatina * Paraskevas Tselios (1997,

), Greek international volleyball player with Greece men's national volleyball team * Savvas Gentsoglou (1990,

), Greek football player * Gregoris Mentzas (1960,

), Greek management scientist and professor at the

National Technical University of Athens The National (Metsovian) Technical University of Athens (NTUA; , ''National Metsovian Polytechnic''), sometimes known as Athens Polytechnic, a university in Athens, Greece. It is named in honor of its benefactors Nikolaos Stournaris, Eleni Tosi ...

* Giorgos Valavanidis (1974,

), Greek; former international basketball player, silver medalist with Greece women's national under-16 basketball team in

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

and Greek champion with

PAOK PAOK (, Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινοπολιτών, ''Panthessalonikeios Athlitikós Ómilos Constantinopoliton'', ''Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans''), commonly ...

* Arete Kosmidou (1997,

), Greek singer * Anestis Dalakouras (1993,

), international Volleyball player with Greece men's national volleyball team * Stavros Stathakis (1987,

), Greece footballer * Nikos Alavantas (1959, Orestiada), former international footballer with

Greece national football team The Greece national football team (, ) represents Greece in men's international Association football, football matches, and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece is one of only ten ...

* Stefania Liberakaki (2002), Greek-Dutch singer originally from Sofiko, a village near

References

External links

Evros terrain map
by Geopsis {{Authority control Prefectures of Greece 1920 establishments in Greece Regional units of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace