Greece is a country in southern Europe that has a rich and diverse history, culture, and geography. It is divided into 13 administrative regions, each with its own characteristics and attractions. One of these regions is Central Macedonia, which occupies the central part of the historical and geographical region of Macedonia. In this blog post, we will explore the differences and similarities between Central Macedonia and other regions of Greece, focusing on aspects such as location, population, economy, tourism, and heritage.
Location
Central Macedonia is situated in northern Greece, bordering the regions of Western Macedonia (west), Thessaly (south), Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (east), and the countries of North Macedonia and Bulgaria (north). It has a coastline on the Thermaic Gulf, the Toroneos Gulf, the Singitic Gulf, and the Strymonic Gulf. It covers an area of 18,811 square kilometers, making it the second largest region in Greece after Central Greece.
Other regions of Greece have different geographical features and locations. For example, Attica is the most populous region in Greece and includes the capital city of Athens and its metropolitan area. It is located on the eastern part of Central Greece and has a coastline on the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in the Ionian Sea, west of mainland Greece. They are known for their scenic beauty, mild climate, and cultural influences from Venice, France, and Britain. Crete is the largest and most populous island in Greece, located in the southern Aegean Sea. It has a diverse landscape that ranges from mountains to beaches, and a rich history that spans from the Minoan civilization to modern times.
Population
Central Macedonia has a population of about 1.8 million people, making it the second most populous region in Greece after Attica. It accounts for about 17% of the total population of Greece. The largest city and capital of the region is Thessaloniki, which has about 790,000 inhabitants and is the second largest city in Greece. Other major cities in Central Macedonia include Serres, Katerini, Veria, and Giannitsa. The majority of the population is Greek Orthodox Christian, but there are also minorities of Muslims, Jews, Roma, Slavic speakers, and others.
Other regions of Greece have different population sizes and compositions. For example, Attica has a population of about 3.8 million people, accounting for about 35% of the total population of Greece. It is also the most densely populated region in Greece, with about 2,600 people per square kilometer. The majority of the population lives in the Athens metropolitan area, which is one of the oldest and most influential cities in Europe. The South Aegean region has a population of about 310,000 people, accounting for about 3% of the total population of Greece. It consists of two island groups: the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. The Cyclades are famous for their white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and picturesque villages. The Dodecanese are known for their medieval castles, ancient monuments, and cosmopolitan resorts. The majority of the population is Greek Orthodox Christian, but there are also minorities of Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Armenians, and others.
Economy
Central Macedonia has a diversified economy that includes agriculture, industry, services, tourism, trade, education, research, and culture. It contributes about 15% to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Greece and has a GDP per capita of about 14,400 euros (as of 2011). Some of the main agricultural products are cotton, tobacco, olives.
