Kozani

Statistics
Prefecture:	Kozani (capital)
Province	Kozani (capital)
Location: Latitude: Longitude:	40°18'00" N lat. 21°47'20" E long
Population: (2001) - Total - Density - municipal area	47,451 138/km² 343 km²
Elevation: -lowest: -centre: -highest:	about 720 m (centre)
Number of communities:	19
Postal code:	501 00
Area/distance code:	11-30-24610 (+30-24610)
Municipal code:	2911
Car designation:	`KZ`
3-letter abbreviation:	KOZ Kozani
Name of inhabitants:	Kozanitis sing. -es pl.
Address of administration:	Plateia Nikis 1 50100
Website:	[1]

Kozani (Greek: Κοζάνη) is a city in northern Greece, capital of Kozani prefecture. It is in the western part of Macedonia. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15km north-west of the lake Polyfitos, 120km south-west of Thessaloniki.

Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of West Macedonia and the department of Energy Management of the University of West Macedonia. One of the more important aspects of local folklore is Kozani's carnival at the end of the winter,which retains much of the profanity of the ancient Dionysiac cult.

Kozani's nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 3km away from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is build near highway "Egnatia odos", which connect the coast of Ionian sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.

History

Kozani was founded probably by Christian settlers who after the Ottoman conquest withdrew from the plains of Macedonia into the mountains. Its safe position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus. In 1664 the magnificent church of Agios Nikolaos was built . In 1668 the library and the famous school of Kozani were founded. 17th and 18th century the commercial relations with the countries of central Europe give the city the opportunity for economic development. The city combines modern with the old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the clocktower, the town hall,the folklore museum, the building of national bank and the mansions of Georgios Lassanis and Grigorios Vourkas. The municipal library has 150,000 books and it is second biggest in Greece.

The city was liberated from Turks on 11 October 1912 in the First Balkan War. The earthquake that shook the region on May 13, 1995, with intensity of 6.6 on the Richter scale, caused only material damage. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of western Macedonia.

Economy

The city is mostly known for the important contribution to the greek electricity and a big part of population works in the factories which produce electricity from coal.Other famous products are marbles,Saffron,fruits,local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry.

Sites of interest

Kozani Archaeological Museum, Website
Kozani's museum of folklore and natural history is a place worth visiting. Other attractions include the Gr. Vourkas Mansion. Website
Kozani Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, a museum dedicated to history of the Macedonian Struggle, Website
the church of Agios Nikolaos 350 years old.
the bridge above the lake of Polyfytos-the longest in Greece.

Sporting teams

Kozani FC - Greek Third Division North Kozani F.C.

Communications

Television channels

Radio stations

TOP FM
West Radio
Klik FM
Radiocity
Alpha
ERA
Diva
NRG
Lampsi FM
Radio Kozani
Mousikes Idees
Radio Akroama

Newspapers

Chronos
Grammi
Kozani
Kosmos
Proini Kozanis
Proinos Logos
Tharros

Historical Population

Year	Population	Change	Municipal population	Change	Density
1981	31,120	-	-	-	-
1991	31,553	+433/+1.39%	43,395	-	127/km²
2001	35,242	+3,689/+11.7%	47,451	+4,056/+9.35%	138/km²

Transport

By bus(KTEL) for the biggest greek cities Athens (4 times/day), Thessaloniki(every hour), Larisa, Volos, Ioannina, Patra.
By aeroplane (Olympic Airlines) the city is connected with Athens (4 times/week).
By railway (OSE) to Thessaloniki.

The public transit in the city is provided by mini buses. Over time, traffic conjestion and problems within the city have become more severe.

Zone of Alternate Urban Planning

Kozani,in the district of Western Macedonia in Greece,is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans,with areas and activities of a wider regional nature.Within this context the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town,the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban planning(ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK)was established in order to implement the projects of ZEP. ZEP strategically located on 50 ha area south-west of Kozani aims to become e model development centre,attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.http://www.depepok.com.[2]

External links