Evros (regional unit)

Evros (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Έβρου) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of East Macedonia and Thrace. Its name is derived from the river Evros, which appears to have been a Thracian hydronym. Evros is the northernmost regional unit. It borders Turkey to the east, across the river Evros, and it borders Bulgaria to the north and the northwest. Its capital is Alexandroupoli. Together with the regional units Rhodope and Xanthi, it forms the geographical region of Western Thrace.

Evros (regional unit) (Seat: Αλεξανδρούπολη, η)	03	147.947
Municipality Alexandroupoli (Seat: Αλεξανδρούπολη, η , Historic Seat: Βήρα, η)	0301	72.959
Municipal unit Alexandroupoli	030101	61.702
Municipal Community Alexandroupoli	03010101	58.125
Agnantia (Αγνάντια, η)	0301010102	158
Alexandroupoli (Αλεξανδρούπολη, η)	0301010101	57.812
Amfitriti (Αμφιτρίτη, η)	0301010103	155
Community Avas	03010102	527
Avas (Άβας, ο)	0301010201	527
Community Aisymi	03010103	253
Aisymi (Αισύμη, η)	0301010301	193
Leptokarya (Λεπτοκαρυά, η)	0301010302	60
Community Kirki	03010104	75
Kirki (Κίρκη, ο)	0301010401	75
Community Makri	03010105	1.919
Dikella (Δίκελλα, τα)	0301010502	290
Ennato (Έννατο, το)	0301010503	268
Koimisi Theotokou (Κοίμηση Θεοτόκου, η)	0301010504	48
Makri (Μάκρη, η)	0301010501	924
Mesimvria (Μεσημβρία, η)	0301010505	145
Panorama (Πανόραμα, το)	0301010506	37
Paralia Dikellon (Παραλία Δικελλών, η)	0301010507	102
Plaka (Πλάκα, η)	0301010508	105
Community Sykorrachi	03010106	803
Atarni (Ατάρνη, η)	0301010602	77
Avra (Αύρα, η)	0301010603	135
Komaros (Κόμαρος, η)	0301010604	169
Mesti (Μέστη, η)	0301010605	112
Perama (Πέραμα, το)	0301010606	108
Sykorrachi (Συκορράχη, η)	0301010601	202
Municipal unit Traianoupoli	030102	2.706
Community Antheia	03010201	1.226
Antheia (Άνθεια, η)	0301020102	781
Aristino (Αρίστηνο, το)	0301020101	445
Community Doriko	03010202	341
Aetochori (Αετοχώρι, το)	0301020202	81
Doriko (Δωρικόν, το)	0301020201	260
Community Loutros	03010203	769
Λουτρά Τραϊανουπόλεως, τα	0301020302	29
Loutros (Λουτρός, ο)	0301020301	713
Pefka (Πεύκα, τα)	0301020303	27
Community Nipsa	03010204	370
Nipsa (Νίψα, η)	0301020401	370
Municipal unit Feres	030103	8.551
Municipal Community Peplos	03010305	1.514
Vrysoula (Βρυσούλα, η)	0301030502	165
Gemisti (Γεμιστή, η)	0301030503	158
Kipoi (Κήποι, οι)	0301030504	193
Peplos (Πέπλος, ο)	0301030501	998
Municipal Community Feres	03010301	5.659
Poros (Πόρος, ο)	0301030102	202
Feres (Φέραι, αι)	0301030101	5.457
Community Ardani	03010302	306
Ardani (Αρδάνιο, το)	0301030201	306
Community Doriskos	03010303	520
Doriskos (Δορίσκος, ο)	0301030301	276
Monastiraki (Μοναστηράκι, το)	0301030302	244
Community Kavisos	03010304	197
Kavisos (Καβησός, η)	0301030401	197
Community Pylaia	03010306	148
Koila (Κοίλα, τα)	0301030602	7
Melia (Μελία, η)	0301030603	62
Pylaia (Πυλαία, η)	0301030601	79
Community Trifylli	03010307	207
Itea (Ιτέα, η)	0301030702	105
Trifylli (Τριφύλλι, το)	0301030701	102
Municipality Didymoteicho (Seat: Διδυμότειχο, το)	0302	19.493
Municipal unit Didymoteicho	030201	16.078
Municipal Community Didymoteicho	03020101	9.367
Didymoteicho (Διδυμότειχο, το)	0302010101	9.263
Neoi Psathades (Νέοι Ψαθάδες, οι)	0302010102	104
Municipal Community Ellinochori	03020104	1.373
Ellinochori (Ελληνοχώρι, το)	0302010401	593
Thyrea (Θυρέα, η)	0302010402	160
Lagos (Λαγός, ο)	0302010403	620
Community Asvestades	03020102	192
Asvestades (Ασβεστάδες, οι)	0302010201	192
Community Asimenio	03020103	334
Asimenio (Ασημένιο, το)	0302010301	334
Community Isaakio	03020105	407
Isaakio (Ισαάκιο, το)	0302010501	407
Community Karoti	03020106	271
Karoti (Καρωτή, η)	0302010601	271
Community Koufovouno	03020107	629
Koufovouno (Κουφόβουνο, το)	0302010701	629
Community Kyani	03020108	474
Kyani (Κυανή, η)	0302010801	474
Community Mani	03020109	538
Evgeniko (Ευγενικόν, το)	0302010902	85
Mani (Μάνη, η)	0302010901	385
Sitaria (Σιταριά, η)	0302010903	68
Community Petrades	03020110	184
Petrades (Πετράδες, οι)	0302011001	184
Community Poimeniko	03020111	343
Poimeniko (Ποιμενικόν, το)	0302011101	343
Community Prangi	03020112	304
Πραγγίο, το	0302011201	304
Community Pythio	03020113	541
Pythio (Πύθιο, το)	0302011301	429
Rigio (Ρήγιο, το)	0302011302	100
Σταθμός, ο	0302011303	12
Community Sitochori	03020114	326
Sitochori (Σιτοχώρι, το)	0302011401	326
Community Sofiko	03020115	795
Sofiko (Σοφικόν, το)	0302011501	795
Municipal unit Metaxades	030202	3.415
Community Alepochori	03020202	365
Alepochori (Αλεποχώρι, το)	0302020201	237
Polia (Πολιά, η)	0302020202	128
Community Asproneri	03020203	538
Asproneri (Ασπρονέρι, το)	0302020301	466
Giatrades (Γιατράδες, οι)	0302020302	72
Community Vrysika	03020204	304
Vrysika (Βρυσικά, τα)	0302020401	162
Savra (Σαύρα, η)	0302020402	142
Community Doxa	03020205	410
Doxa (Δόξα, η)	0302020501	410
Community Elafochori	03020206	433
Vrysi (Βρύση, η)	0302020602	43
Elafochori (Ελαφοχώρι, το)	0302020601	133
Chionades (Χιονάδες, αι)	0302020603	257
Community Ladi	03020207	180
Ladi (Λάδη, η)	0302020701	180
Community Metaxades	03020201	717
Avdella (Αβδέλλα, η)	0302020102	30
Metaxades (Μεταξάδες, οι)	0302020101	687
Community Paliouri	03020208	468
Paliouri (Παλιούρι, το)	0302020801	468
Municipality Orestiada (Seat: Ορεστιάδα, η)	0303	37.695
Municipal unit Vyssa	030302	6.515
Municipal Community Nea Vyssa	03030201	2.805
Nea Vyssa (Νέα Βύσσα, η)	0303020101	2.805
Community Kavyli	03030202	758
Kavyli (Καβύλη, η)	0303020201	758
Community Kastanies	03030203	1.059
Kastanies (Καστανέαι, αι)	0303020301	1.059
Community Rizia	03030204	1.272
Rizia (Ρίζια, τα)	0303020401	1.272
Community Sterna	03030205	621
Sterna (Στέρνα, η)	0303020501	621
Municipal unit Kyprinos	030303	2.226
Community Galini	03030302	0
Galini (Γαλήνη, η)	0303030201	0
Community Zoni	03030303	449
Zoni (Ζώνη, η)	0303030301	150
Mikri Doxipara (Μικρά Δοξιπάρα, η)	0303030302	209
Chelidona (Χελιδών, η)	0303030303	90
Community Kyprinos	03030301	806
Kyprinos (Κυπρίνος, ο)	0303030101	806
Community Fylakio	03030304	971
Ammovouno (Αμμόβουνο, το)	0303030402	113
Keramos (Κέραμος, ο)	0303030403	263
Fylakio (Φυλάκιο, το)	0303030401	595
Municipal unit Orestiada	030301	23.584
Municipal Community Orestiada	03030101	20.211
Lepti (Λεπτή, η)	0303010102	641
Neos Pyrgos (Νέος Πύργος, ο)	0303010103	943
Orestiada (Ορεστιάς, η)	0303010101	18.426
Palaia Sagini (Παλαιά Σαγήνη, η)	0303010104	15
Sakkos (Σάκκος, ο)	0303010105	186
Community Ampelakia	03030102	470
Ampelakia (Αμπελάκια, τα)	0303010201	470
Community Valtos	03030103	403
Valtos (Βάλτος)	0303010301	403
Community Thourio	03030104	643
Thourio (Θούριο, το)	0303010401	643
Community Megali Doxipara	03030105	302
Megali Doxipara (Μεγάλη Δοξιπάρα, η)	0303010501	302
Community Neo Cheimonio	03030106	444
Neo Cheimonio (Νέο Χειμώνιο το)	0303010601	444
Community Neochori	03030107	902
Neochori (Νεοχώρι, το)	0303010701	739
Patagi (Παταγή, η)	0303010702	163
Community Chandras	03030108	209
Chandras (Χανδράς, ο)	0303010801	209
Municipal unit Trigono	030304	5.370
Community Arzos	03030402	433
Arzos (Άρζος, ο)	0303040201	237
Καναδάς, ο	0303040202	196
Community Dikaia	03030401	834
Dikaia (Δίκαια, τα)	0303040101	561
Δίλοφος, ο	0303040102	52
Krios (Κριός, ο)	0303040103	40
Palli (Πάλλη, η)	0303040104	181
Community Elaia	03030403	428
Elaia (Ελαία, η)	0303040301	428
Community Therapeio	03030404	86
Therapeio (Θεραπειό, το)	0303040401	86
Community Komara	03030405	628
Komara (Κόμαρα, τα)	0303040501	628
Community Marasia	03030406	140
Marasia (Μαράσια, τα)	0303040601	140
Community Milia	03030407	54
Milia (Μηλέα, η)	0303040701	54
Community Ormenio	03030408	557
Ormenio (Ορμένιο, το)	0303040801	557
Community Pentalofos	03030409	510
Pentalofos (Πεντάλοφος, ο)	0303040901	510
Community Petrota	03030410	270
Petrota (Πετρωτά, τα)	0303041001	270
Community Plati	03030411	655
Plati (Πλάτη, η)	0303041101	655
Community Ptelea	03030412	441
Ptelea (Πτελέα, η)	0303041201	441
Community Spilaio	03030413	334
Spilaio (Σπήλαιο, το)	0303041301	334
Municipality Samothraki (Seat: Σαμοθράκη, η)	0304	2.859
Alonia (Αλώνια, τα)	0304000002	291
Ano Karyotes (Άνω Καρυώται, οι)	0304000003	22
Ano Meria (Άνω Μεριά, η)	0304000004	57
Dafnes (Δάφνες, οι)	0304000005	16
Therma (Θέρμα, τα)	0304000006	106
Kamariotissa (Καμαριώτισσα, η)	0304000007	1.069
Katsampas (Κατσαμπάς, ο)	0304000008	15
Kato Karyotes (Κάτω Καρυώται, οι)	0304000009	41
Lakkoma (Λάκκωμα, το)	0304000010	317
Makrylies (Μακρυλιές, οι)	0304000011	12
Xiropotamos (Ξηροπόταμος, ο)	0304000012	29
Palaiopoli (Παλαιόπολις, η)	0304000013	36
Potamia (Ποταμιά, η)	0304000014	6
Profitis Ilias (Προφήτης Ηλίας, ο)	0304000015	189
Samothraki (Town) (Σαμοθράκη, η)	0304000001	653
Municipality Soufli (Seat: Σουφλί, το)	0305	14.941
Municipal unit Orfeas	030502	4.761
Municipal Community Mikro Dereio	03050206	1.903
Geriko (Γέρικο, το)	0305020602	125
Goniko (Γονικόν, το)	0305020603	309
Mega Dereio (Μέγα Δέρειο, το)	0305020604	528
Mikro Dereio (Μικρό Δέρειο, το)	0305020601	158
Petrolofos (Πετρόλοφος, ο)	0305020605	112
Roussa (Ρούσσα, η)	0305020606	325
Sidirochori (Σιδηροχώρι, το)	0305020607	346
Community Amorio	03050202	412
Amorio (Αμόριο, το)	0305020201	412
Community Kyriaki	03050203	100
Kyriaki (Κυριακή, η)	0305020301	100
Community Lavara	03050201	1.093
Lavara (Λάβαρα, τα)	0305020101	1.093
Community Mandra	03050204	150
Mandra (Μάνδρα, η)	0305020401	150
Community Mavrokklisi	03050205	313
Korymvos (Κόρυμβος, ο)	0305020502	201
Mavrokklisi (Μαυροκκλήσι, το)	0305020501	112
Community Protokklisi	03050207	790
Agriani (Αγριάνη, η)	0305020702	530
Protokklisi (Πρωτοκκλήσι, το)	0305020701	260
Municipal unit Soufli	030501	6.170
Municipal Community Soufli	03050101	4.487
Giannouli (Γιαννούλη, η)	0305010102	185
Sidiro (Σιδηρώ, η)	0305010103	465
Soufli (Σουφλί, το)	0305010101	3.837
Community Dadia	03050102	546
Dadia (Δαδιά, η)	0305010201	533
Κοτρωνιά, η	0305010202	12
Μονή Δαδιάς, η	0305010203	1
Community Kornofolea	03050103	443
Κορνοφωλεά, η	0305010301	432
Μονή Κορνοφωλεάς, η	0305010302	11
Community Lagyna	03050104	328
Lagyna (Λαγυνά, τα)	0305010401	328
Community Lykofos	03050105	366
Lykofos (Λυκόφως, το)	0305010501	366
Municipal unit Tychero	030503	4.010
Municipal Community Tychero	03050301	2.311
Tychero (Τυχερόν, το)	0305030101	2.311
Community Lefkimmi	03050302	201
Lefkimmi (Λευκίμμη, η)	0305030201	201
Community Lyra	03050303	185
Lyra (Λύρα, η)	0305030301	185
Community Provatonas	03050304	1.004
Thymaria (Θυμαριά, η)	0305030402	232
Προβατών, ο	0305030401	712
Tavri (Ταύρη, η)	0305030403	60
Community Fylakto	03050305	309
Fylakto (Φυλακτόν, το)	0305030501	309

Geography
Flag of rebels of Evros region during the Greek War of Independence

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. 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 lie in the west and the southwest. The Aegean Sea 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):[2]

Alexandroupoli (1)
Didymoteicho (2)
Orestiada (3)
Samothrace (Samothraki, 4)
Soufli (5)

Prefecture

Evros was established as a prefecture in 1930 (Greek: Νομός Έβρου), when the former Thrace Prefecture was divided into the Rhodope and Evros prefectures.[3] 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.[2]

New municipality	Old municipalities	Seat
Alexandroupoli	Alexandroupoli	Alexandroupoli
	Traianoupoli
	Feres
Didymoteicho	Didymoteicho	Didymoteicho
Didymoteicho	Metaxades	Didymoteicho
Orestiada	Orestiada	Orestiada
	Vyssa
	Kyprinos
	Trigono
Samothrace (Samothraki)	Samothrace	Samothrace
Soufli	Soufli	Soufli
	Orfeas
	Tychero

Provinces

Province of Orestiada - Orestiada
Province of Didymoteicho - Didymoteicho
Province of Soufli - Soufli
Province of Alexandroupoli - Alexandroupolis
Province of Samothrace - Samothrace

Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.
History

As a part of Western Thrace, the territory of the Evros regional unit followed the fate of that region. At 1821, several parts of Evros region, such as Lavara and Samothraki rebelled, participated in the Greek War of Independence. It became part of Greece in 1920, when it was ceded by Bulgaria 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 settled in the Evros, and new towns bere built, including Orestiada. The Evros river valley was flooded several times, notably in 1997, 2005, and 2006.
Transport

The main roads in the Evros regional unit are:

Egnatia Odos/E90 motorway (... Komotini - Alexandroupoli - İpsala (Turkey))
Greek National Road 2 (... Komotini - Alexandroupoli - Feres)
Greek National Road 51/E85 (Svilengrad (Bulgaria) - Orestiada - Didymoteicho - Feres)
Greek National Road 53 (Ormenio - Metaxades - Aisymi - Alexandroupoli)

A railway line connects Alexandroupoli with Thessaloniki via Komotini, Xanthi and Drama. Another line connects Alexandroupoli 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.
Notable people

Todor Dinov (1919–2004), Bulgarian graphic artist and animator
Hrysopiyi Devetzi (1976), Greek athlete
Demis Nikolaidis (1973), Greek footballer
Athanasios Tsigas (1982), Greek footballer
Lefteris Hapsiadis (1953), Greek Lyrics Creator and Writer

References

"Publication of provisional results of the 2011 Population Census" (PDF). National Statistical Service of Greece. p. 3.
"Kallikratis reform law text" (PDF).
Law, Gwillim (1999). Administrative subdivisions of countries: a comprehensive world reference, 1900 through 1998. McFarland. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-7864-0729-3.

Regional units of Greece
Attica	North Athens • South Athens • West Athens • Central Athens • Islands • East Attica • Peiraias • West Attica
Epirus	Arta • Ioannina • Preveza • Thesprotia
Ionian Islands	Ithaki • Kefalonia • Kerkyra • Lefkada • Zakynthos
Crete	Chania • Heraklion • Lasithi • Rethymno
Central Greece	Voiotia • Evoia • Evrytania • Fokida • Fthiotida
North Aegean	Chios • Ikaria • Lesvos • Limnos • Samos
East Macedonia and Thrace	Drama • Evros • Kavala • Rhodopi • Thasos • Xanthi
Peloponnese	Argolida • Arkadia • Korinthia • Lakonia • Messinia
South Aegean	Andros • Kalymnos • Karpathos • Kea-Kythnos • Kos • Milos • Mykonos • Naxos • Paros • Rhodos • Syros • Thira • Tinos
Thessaly	Karditsa • Larissa • Magnisia • Sporades • Trikala
West Greece	Aitoloakarnania • Achaia • Ilia
West Macedonia	Florina • Grevena • Kastoria • Kozani
Central Macedonia	Chalkidiki • Imathia • Kilkis • Pella • Pieria • Serres • Thessaloniki