ANATOLIKI MAKEDONIA, THRAKI - Geography and history
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is an important link between Europe and Asia. It occupies the northeastern part of Greece and is bounded on the east by Turkey, on the north by Bulgaria, on the south by the Aegean and on the west by the region of Central Macedonia. It comprises the nomi of Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi, Kavala and Drama. The most populated urban centre in the region is Kavala, and other large towns include Xanthi, Drama and Alexandroupolis.
Arable land accounts for 25% of the region's total area, pasture 11% and forest 31%. 75% of the total land under agriculture is flat, comprising essentially the plains of Xanthi, Komotini, Orestiada, Drama, Filipi and the Evros valley.
Largely unexploited resources
This markedly agricultural region is one of Greece's leading producers of cotton and sugar beet. However, although the region's water resources are considerable, many areas are not systematically irrigated via modern networks, and this affects production and pushes up costs.
The region has considerable mineral resources (lignite, marble, uranium, etc.); its minerals are underexploited, although there has been some development.
The distance from Eastern Macedonia and Thrace to the main administrative, demographic and economic centres, together with the poor national and regional road network, the lack of facilities and the poor operating conditions of its commercial and passenger ports, mean that it has remained at a low level of development ? indeed, it would appear to be the most isolated region in the country. On the other hand, its proximity to the other Balkan countries and its position relative to the Middle East mean that the region has potential as a link between these areas and the rest of Europe and as a hub for the transport and handling of goods.
Similarly, whilst the region has considerable tourist potential, it is significantly behind the rest of the country owing to the lack of a hotel infrastructure, difficulties with access, failure to promote its rich natural environment and, more generally, the low level of tourist services.
Problems in the northern areas
The mountainous northern parts of Evros, Xanthi, Rodopi and Drama are problem areas. This has led to a flight from the area, which ? together with the declining numbers engaged in agriculture ? has swollen the population of the urban and semi-urban centres in the nomí of Kavala and Xanthi.
Investment has focused on the nomós of Kavala, as a result of which it has become a leading centre of agricultural and industrial activity. Thrace, on the other hand, which comprises the nomí of Evros, Xanthi and Rodopi, is one of the poorest areas in Greece and has to contend with the typical problems of a backward economy.
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