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Imathia (Greek: Ημαθία) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Central Macedonia. The capital of Imathia is the city of Veroia.

Administration

The regional unit Imathia is subdivided into 3 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):[1]

Alexandreia (2)
Naousa (3)
Veroia (1)

Prefecture

As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Imathia was created out of the former prefecture Imathia (Greek: Νομός Ημαθίας). The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.[1]
New municipality Old municipalities Seat
Alexandreia Alexandreia Alexandreia
Antigonides
Meliki
Platy
Naousa Naousa Naousa
Anthemia
Eirinoupoli
Veroia Veroia Veroia
Apostolos Pavlos
Vergina
Dovras
Makedonida

Provinces

Veroia Province
Naousa Province

Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece since 2006.

Geography

Its geography include mountains are parts of Pierian Mountains to the southeast and the Vermion Mountains to the west. Much of the population is in the valley areas. The longest river is the Aliákmon river which flows to the south and east. Its reservoir is partially bounded with Kozani. Imathia's lowest point is the Thermaic Gulf and the highest point is Vermio to the west

The regional unit borders on Pieria to the south, Kozani to the west, Pella to the north and Thessaloniki to the east. Imathia has a short shoreline on the Thermaic Gulf to the east.

History

The area around Imathia was first under Macedonian rule. Imathia was named from the area of the Thermaic Gulf, during the Macedonian Empire, when the name connoted the district between the Haliacmon and Loudias. The ancient and classical Imathia included Edessa and Aigai, the ancient capital of Beroea, Kitio (Κίτιον, now Naousa), etc.

Later, Imathia was annexed to the Roman rule and later the Byzantine rule. The Ottoman Empire ruled the area from the 15th century until the Balkan Wars of 1913. Unlike southern central and central Greece, it only joined Greece during the Balkan Wars and the treaties of Bucharest and London. The population exploded and farmlands expanded and its streets plans were modernized, and Veria received electricity, and its major roads became paved. During the Greco-Turkish War, several refugees from Asia Minor (now in Turkey) arriving in Imathia built refugee camps and houses, as well as several villages modeled after their former villages. Imathia experienced World War II and saw damages to most of the homes and properties. The area suffered again during Greek Civil War, which saw the last fighting in the area. For the first 34 years of being Greek, Imathia belonged to the prefecture of Thessaloniki. In 1947 Imathia became a prefecture, and Veroia was selected the its capital.

Imathia yet again saw a small growth in the 1950s but the growth slowed due to emigration. The villages saw their roads paved, their homes receive electricity, more automobiles, radios and appliances. Television arrived in the 1960s and the 1970s for the rural portion, and the GR-1 was completed in 1972. The 1980s saw the first construction of the Egnatia Odos superhighway, and it became the second superhighway in the prefecture with two undivided lanes. Between 1998 and 2005, the superhighway added two more lanes and became divided. It also extended to the prefectural boundary with Kozani along with some tunnels.

Agriculture

Farming in the area is rich in peach crops and some strawberries, and the production is large. The jam Naoussa is the most famous production of the native area.

Climate

Imathia's climate is mainly of Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cold winters. In most of the central part and the western part receives winter weather especially in the hills and the Vermio mountains.

Transport

GR-1, E, SE (length: 1 to 2 km)
GR-4, SW, Cen., NE
Via Egnatia/E90, SW, S Cen., SE

Media

Newspapers

Agrotikoi Orizontes
Elefthero Vima
Epikaira Imathias
Epta Imathias
Imerisia
Kerkida
Laos
Pliroforisi

Sporting clubs

AE Alexandreia - Alexandreia
Apostolos Pavlos Enosis - Veria

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