Serres prefecture
Serres prefecture (Greek: Νομός Σερρών Nomos Serron) is a prefecture located in east northeastern Macedonia. The total population almost reached over 200,000 and the capital is of the same name.
Geography
The mountains are Orvelos are to the north, Menoikio to the east, Pangaio to the southeat, Kerdylio to the southwest, Vertiskos to the west, parts of Krousi to the west and portions of the Kerkini lies to the northwest. The bounding prefectures and one district of another state (nation) are Thessaloniki to the southwest, Kilkis to the west, the Former Yugoslav Republic of "Macedonia" (FYROM) with the district of Strumica to the northwest, Bulgaria to the north, Drama to the northeast and the Kavala to the east. The Strymonian Gulf lies to the south along with the Strymonas delta. Lake Cercinities was a lake located in the southern portion which is now drained. The prefecture covers 3% of all of Greece. 41% of the prefecture are arable and most of the lands are near the Strymonas River which flows from Bulgaria and empties into the Strymonic Gulf?. Another river is the Angitis in the eastern portion of the prefecture.
History
In modern times, Serres, like the rest of Macedonia was contested territory between Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and the Ottoman Empire. Serres was seized from the Turks by the Bulgarians in the First Balkan War and became a part of Greece at the end of the Second Balkan War. During the National Schism, it was occupied by Bulgaria again only to form part of Greece at the end of the war. During the Second World War Bulgaria occupied Serres and launched a campaign of Bulgariasation. It was liberated in 1944. On May 19, 2005, an OSE train collided at around 7 to 8 in the morning (4 to 5 AM UTC/GMT) injuring four people near Rodopoli on a line linking Thessaloniki and Sidirokastro and Sofia in Bulgaria as well as Serres and Alexandroupolis. Four people were hospitalized.
Information
A substantial portion of the population of the prefecture are descended from refugees which came from Eastern Thrace which is now Northwestern Turkey, Asia Minor and from Pontus during the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922).
The prefecture has a lot of archaeological and historical features including Serres, Amphipolis, several monasteries, and Metaxa near the border with Bulgaria. The prefecture is also a tourist attraction including Lailia, rich in forests, a skiing resort in the central portion, lake Kerkini which is a reservoir supplying water to the farmlands, fishing is common within Ano Poroia especially during the summer months and famous caves near Alistrati.
It is also famous for being the place of origin of Constantine Karamanlis.
Climate
The areas that mainly get Mediterranean climate is at the southern portion by the Axios valley. Its climate is mainly continental with cold winters in higher elevations.
Transportation
Communications
Television
Famous inhabitants of the Serres prefecture
- Angelos Charisteas
- Constantine Karamanlis (March 8, 1907 in Proti - April 23, 1998) , a former Greek prime minister and president
- Costas Karamanlis nephew of the above and recently Greek prime minister
- Glykeria, a popular singer born in Agio Pnevma.
- Stratos Dionysiou, laika singer.
- Ioannis Melissanidis, a Greek gymnast athlete
Places
- Heraklia
- Nea Zichni
- Nigrita
- Serres
- Sidirokastro
Provinces
- Serres Province - Serres
- Visaltia - Nigrita
Municipalities
| Municipality | YPES code | Seat | Postal code | Area code ((0)30-) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achinos | 4705 | Sitochori | 622 00 | 23220-5 |
| Alistrati | 4702 | Alistrati | 620 45 | 23720-5 |
| Amfipoli | 4703 | Palaiokomi | 620 41 | 23240-9 |
| Emmanouil Pappas | 4708 | Chryso | 620 46 | 23210-7 |
| Heraklia | 4709 | Heraklia | 624 00 | 23250-2 |
| Kapetan Mitrousi | 4710 | Provata | 621 00 | 23210-9 |
| Kerkini | 4711 | Rodopili | 620 52 | 23170-2 |
| Kormista | 4712 | Nea Bathra | 620 47 | 23240-8 |
| Lefkona | 4713 | Lefkona | 621 xx | 23210-9 |
| Nea Zichni | 4714 | Nea Zichni | 620 42 | 23240-2 |
| Nigrita | 4715 | Nigrita | 622 00 | 23220-2 |
| Petritsi | 4717 | Neo Petritsi | 620 43 | 23230-4 |
| Proti | 4719 | Proti | 620 47 | 23240-6 |
| Rodolivos | 4720 | Rodolivos | 620 41 | 23240-7 |
| Serres | 4721 | Serres | 621 00 | 23210-2 |
| Sidirokastro | 4722 | Sidirokastro | 623 00 | 23230-2 |
| Skotoussa | 4723 | Skotoussa | 621 00 | 23210-9 |
| Skoutari | 4724 | Skoutari | 621 00 | 23210-9 |
| Strymona | 4725 | Strymona | 621 00 | 23210-9 |
| Strymoniko | 4726 | Strymoniko | 620 54 | 2320-8 |
| Traglio | 4727 | Mavrothalassa | 620 49 | 23220 |
| Visaltia | 4728 | Dimitritsi | 622 00 | 23220-6 |
Communities
| Commune | YPES code | Seat | Postal code | Area code ((0)30-) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achladochori | 4706 | Achladochori Sidirokastrou | 623 00 | 23230-6 |
| Angistro | 4701 | Angistro | 623 00 | 23230-4 |
| Ano Vrontos | 4704 | Ano Vrontades | 621 00 | 23210-8 |
| Oreini | 4716 | Oreini | 621 00 | 23210-5 |
| Promachona | 4718 | Promachona | 623 00 | 23230-4 |
- See also: Communities of Serres
Sporting teams
Primary and Secondary divisions A' and B' Ethniki
Junior division
- Agkistro
- Ano Poroia
- Heraklia
- Lithotopos
- Nigrita FC
- Pontismeno
- Rodopoli
- Sidirokastro FC
- Vyroneia