Xanthi (regional unit)


Xanthi is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace. The capital is Xanthi. Together with the regional units Rhodope and Evros, it forms the geographical region of Western Thrace.

Geography

Xanthi borders the Bulgarian provinces of Smolyan and Kardzhali to the north, and the Aegean Sea to the south. The regional unit of Kavala lies to the west, Drama to the northwest and Rhodope to the east. The Rhodope Mountains cover the northern part of the regional unit. The highest point is Koula, at 1,827m.
The coastal area has a predominantly Mediterranean climate, whereas the northern mountainous part has a colder continental climate.

Administration

The regional unit Xanthi is subdivided into 4 municipalities. These are :
  • Abdera
  • Myki
  • Topeiros
  • Xanthi

    Prefecture

Xanthi was established as a prefecture in 1944, when it was split off from the Rhodope Prefecture. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the prefecture was transformed into a regional unit within the East Macedonia and Thrace region, with no change in its boundaries. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.
New municipalityOld municipalitiesSeat
Abdera AbderaGenisea
Abdera VistonidaGenisea
Abdera SeleroGenisea
MykiMykiSminthi
MykiThermesSminthi
MykiKotyliSminthi
MykiSatresSminthi
TopeirosTopeirosEvlalo
XanthiXanthiXanthi
XanthiStavroupoliXanthi

Transport

  • GR-2/E90, Via Egnatia, old and new, SW, Cen., S, SE
  • GR-12/E90, W, Cen.
  • GR-55
  • Railway Thessaloniki-Alexandroupoli

    Culture

The remains of the ancient city of Abdera have been excavated. Subterranean Macedonian tombs from the 2nd century BC have been discovered in Komnina.
There is a Byzantine castle near the old town of Xanthi. During the 19th century, local tobacco production and commerce developed rapidly. The manors of the old city Xanthi, many of which are still intact, testify to the prosperity of the tobacco merchants during this period.