West Macedonia

West Macedonia Periphery Περιφέρεια Δυτικής Μακεδονίας
Country:	Greece
Capital:	Kozani
Prefectures:	Florina Grevena Kastoria Kozani
Secretary-General:	{{{secgen}}}
Population:	303,857 (2005)
Area:	9,451 km² (3,649 sq.mi.)
Density:	32 /km² (83 /sq.mi.)
Website:	www.westernmacedonia.gr

West Macedonia is one of the thirteen peripheries of Greece, consisting of the western part of the region of Macedonia. It is divided into the prefectures of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.

Geography

The periphery of West Macedonia is situated in north-western Greece, bordering with the peripheries of Central Macedonia (east), Thessaly (south), Epirus (west), and bounded to the north at the international borders of Greece with the Republic of Macedonia (Bitola region) and Albania (Korçë region).

Although it covers a total surface of 9,451 km² (3,649 sq mi) (7,2% of country’s total), it has a total population of 302,892 inhabitants (2.9% of the country’s total), thus it is a low-density populated Region (32 per km², as compared to the country’s 79.7 relevant figure). This is mainly due to the mountainous nature of the Region, as 82% of the total surface are mountainous and semi-mountainous areas. This is also reflected in the population distribution, as the major part of the population (56%) lives in rural areas. Capital of the periphery is Kozani with 47,451 inhabitants. Other main towns are Ptolemaida (32,775), Grevena (16,704), Florina (14,318) and Kastoria (13,959).

Economy

The map of West Macedonia Periphery.

The Region has one operational Industrial Area in Florina and another one under construction in Kozani. The secondary sector is very important for the Regional economy, mainly due to the mining activities, the production of electric power (70% of country’s total power is produced in the Region) and the fur-leather sector. However, “soft” structures have not followed the general improvement of heavy infrastructures, a situation that has to be remedied, in order to achieve an overall higher economic development of the Region. The R&D services are at a rather low level: only 3,5% of the country’s total research foundations are situated in the Region. Among them, the Technological Educational Institute plays an important role in supporting the regional research and educational efforts. However, an enhanced interaction with SME’s will be a crucial factor, in order to improve the productivity and the added value of products and services generated in the Region of Western Macedonia. Some of its more famous products are marbles, Saffron (krokos Kozanis), fruits, local wines (Kozani, Amyntaio), furs (Kastoria, Siatista) and specialized arts and crafts industry.

The Egnatia motorway via Egnatia (Trans – European Network) that crosses the Region, along with its two vertical National Roads, form a network that dramatically improves the transport conditions in the Region and alter its traditional “isolation” image, mainly due to its mountainous landscape. On the other hand, the railroad network is insufficient and the two airports (Kozani and Kastoria) can only serve small passenger planes. The telecommunication network has drastically improved over the last decade, providing the regional population with adequate services and modern facilities.

The last years the region is being developed in tourism mainly on winter. It is the only Greek periphery without sea coast, but on the other side there are a lot of lakes, mountains, graphic villages and two big ski centers in Florina (Vigla) and Grevena (Vasilitsa) and one other under construction in Kozani (Velvendos).

The building of West Macedonia Periphery is located in Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP) in the city of Kozani.

Prefectures and Municipalities

Ptolemaida

West Macedonia. The bridge over the Polyfytos artificial lake of the river Aliakmonas in Kozani Prefecture.

The community of Nymfaio in Florina Prefecture.

The lake Orestiada in Kastoria.

Neoclassical houses at the shoreline of Sakoulevas river,Florina.

Georgios Lassanis mansion in Kozani.

Biggest towns in each prefecture, according to the census of 2001 (only towns with population more than 1,000 recorded):

Demographics

According to the 2001 census,^[2] the population of West Macedonia was 303,857 people. Today, the periphery has a mixed population of Greeks and Slavophone Greeks (12% of the population). The former are mainly concentrated in Florina, Kastoria and Ptolemaida^[3][4]. Other smaller communities include Aromanians and Arvanites.

Education

The University of Western Macedonia and the technological faculties help in the intellectual growth of region. There is a big number of students who's studying main in the Pedagogic Department and in Department of Balkan study of the University in Florina and in the Department of Energy Management of the University and in Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia in Kozani.

Media

Television channels

• West channel - Kozani
• TOP channel - Kozani
• Kanali 28 - Grevena
• TRM - Grevena
• Flash TV - Kastoria/Kozani
• Dyktio - kastoria

Gallery

Florina	Kastoria	Ancient Macedonian Grave in Eordaia	Aghios Nikolaos Clock Tower in Kozani
Village of Agios Germanos-Prespa	Vigla - Pissoderi ski resort in Florina

References

External links

• West Macedonia Homepage

v • d • e Peripheries of Greece Attica • Central Greece • Central Macedonia • Crete • East Macedonia and Thrace • Epirus • Ionian Islands • North Aegean • Peloponnese • South Aegean • Thessaly • West Greece • West Macedonia • Mount Athos (autonomous region in Macedonia)