Dráma

Drama Δράμα
Location
Drama, Greece
Coordinates	41°9′N 24°8′E / 41.15°N 24.133°E / 41.15; 24.133Coordinates: 41°9′N 24°8′E / 41.15°N 24.133°E / 41.15; 24.133
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	East Macedonia and Thrace
Prefecture:	Drama
Districts:	13
Mayor:	Thomas Margaritis[1]
Population statistics (as of 2001[2])
City
- Population:	55,632
- Area:	488.830 km² (189 sq mi)
- Density:	114 /km² (295 /sq mi)
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center):	115 m (377 ft)
Postal:	661 00
Telephone:	25210
Auto:	ΡΜ

Drama (Greek: Δράμα, Dráma, IPA: [ˈðɾama]) is a town and municipality in northeastern Greece. Drama is the capital of the prefecture of Drama which is part of the East Macedonia and Thrace periphery. The town (pop. 42,501 in 2001) is the economic center of the municipality (pop. 55,632), which in turn comprises 53.5 percent of the prefecture's population, the highest percentage in Greece. The next largest towns in the municipality are Choristi (pop. 2,625), Χiropótamos (2,601), Kalós Agrós (1,216), Kallífytos (1,083), and Koudoúnia (885). The municipality is the 12th-largest in Greece at 488.830 km², although it is only the third-largest in Drama Prefecture (following Kato Nevrokopi and Paranesti).

History

In the Roman era, Drama was known as Dravescus (Δραβήσκος), and was a trade center and military camp on the Roman Via Egnatia. Drama has excellent water resources and may well owe its name to Hydrama (Hydro, Greek: having to do with water) a town which it is believed stood on the same site in ancient times.

Under the Ottoman Empire, Drama was the sanjak centre in Selanik vilayet with kazas of Drama, Kavala, Sarışaban, Pravişte and Ropçoz.

In 1912 during the First Balkan War, Drama was liberated from Ottoman rule by Bulgarian troops; Subsequently, in 1913 as a result of the Treaty of Bucharest, following the Second Balkan War, it was incorporated into Greece along with the rest of eastern Macedonia and Western Thrace. Drama was occupied by Bulgarian troops from 1941 to 1944 during World War II.

Economy

In the recent past the economy of the Drama area relied heavily on the local paper and textile-clothing industries. However, these industries have either closed down or moved across the border to Bulgaria[1], with a devastating impact on the local economy and employment. Other sources of revenue include agriculture, consisting mainly of tobacco plantations, small-scale mining (particularly of marble) and forestry. Recently, there have been efforts to exploit the rich local natural environment and to develop ecotourism.

There is a modern ski resort on Mount Falakro. Drama also hosts an annual short film festival[2].

Municipal districts

There is a street named Armen, named after Armen Kouptsios a hero of the Macedonian struggle (1904-1908), who came from Volakas (a village to the north of Drama). The nearby village of Monastiraki was visited by a new journey show Exodus which has recently premiered on ERT and ERT Sat.

• Arkadikos
• Choristi
• Kallifytos
  • Panorama
• Kalos Agros
• Koudounia
• Livadero
  • Dendrakia
• Makryplagi
  • Polykarpos
• Mavrovato
• Mikrochori
• Monastiraki
  • Vathylakkos
• Milopotamos
• Nea Amissos
• Nikotsaras (formerly Argyroupoli)
• Xiropotamos
  • Metamorfosis Sotiros

Subdivisions

• Ampelakia (Αμπελάκια) [2001 pop: 335]
• Nea Sevasteia (Νέα Σεβάστεια) [2001 pop: 480]
• Taxiarches (Ταξιάρχαι) [2001 pop: 169]
• Nea Amissos (Νέα Αμισσός) [aprox pop: 1000]
• Adriani (Αδριανή)

Population

Sport teams

• Doxa Dramas - football team
• Pandramaikos FC - football team
• KAOD - Basketball team
• PAOP Neas Amissou - football team

Notable people

• Mahmud Dramali Pasha (1780-1822) - Ottoman General during the Greek Independence War
• Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt (1789-1848) ruler of Egypt in 1848 (Son of Muhammad Ali of Egypt)
• Basilis C. Xanthopoulos (1951-1990) Theoretical Physicist
• Koulis Stoligkas (1910-1984), actor
• Nikos Sergianopoulos (1952-2008), Television and stage Actor
• Giannis Papazisis - actor
• Natassa Theodoridou - singer
• Tania Tsanaklidou - singer
• Petros Gaitanos - singer
• Pasxalis Arvanitidis - singer

Photo gallery

The church of St.Panteleimon	Part of the town's Byzantine wall	Pavlos Melas' statue	Springs of Aghia Varvara
Old house in Drama

See also

• List of communities of the Drama prefecture

References

External links

• Official website of Drama Prefecture

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