Pella (regional unit)

For other uses, see Pella (disambiguation).

Pella Περιφερειακή ενότητα Πέλλας
Regional unit
Municipalities of Pella
Pella within Greece
Coordinates:
Country	Greece
Region	Central Macedonia
Capital	Edessa
Government
• Vice Governor	Theodoros Theodoridis
Area
• Total	2,506 km2 (968 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	139,680
• Density	56/km2 (140/sq mi)
Postal codes	58x xx
Area codes	238x0
ISO 3166 code	GR-59
Car plates	ΕΕ
Website	www.pella.gr

Pella (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Πέλλας) is one of the regional units of Greece, in the geographic region of Macedonia. It is part of the Region of Central Macedonia. It is named after the ancient city of Pella, the capital of ancient Macedonia and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. The capital of Pella is Edessa with a population of 19,036 inhabitants according to the census of 2011, while the largest city and industrial and commercial center is Giannitsa with 29,789 inhabitants. Other important centers are the towns Krya Vrisi, Aridea and Skidra.

Administration

The regional unit Pella is subdivided into 4 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):

• Almopia (2)
• Edessa (1)
• Pella (3)
• Skidra (4)

Prefecture

Statue of Alexander the Great in Pella (municipality).

Clocktower of Giannitsa.

The region covers an area of 2.505,8 Km2 the majority of which is covered by arable land, forests and pastures. The mountains that surround the county is Mount Vora (2,524 m), Mount Vermion (2,027 m), mount Paiko (1,458 m), Mount Jenna (2,182 m) and Mount Pinovo (2,154 m .). The main plains of the prefecture is plain of Pozar in the north and the vast plain of Giannitsà in the southeastern part of the county. Of particular interest is the natural environment and ecosystems of the prefecture (the mountains, lakes Vegoritida Agra, rivers Loudias, Edessian). The county is rich in surface and groundwater resources also in the district identified archaeological sites of great value which attract large numbers of visitors.

Administratively, the Pella divided into 4 municipalities (Kallikratis). The population is according to the latest census of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (2011) to 139,680 inhabitants...

New municipality	Old municipalities	Seat
Almopia	Aridaia	Aridaia
	Exaplatanos
Edessa	Edessa	Edessa
	Vegoritida
Pella	Pella	Giannitsa
	Giannitsa
	Krya Vrysi
	Kyrros
	Megas Alexandros
Skidra	Skidra	Skidra
	Meniida

Provinces

Provinces of Pella Prefecture	Seat (if different)
Province of Almopia	Aridaia
Province of Edessa
Province of Giannitsa

Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.

Geography

The mountains lie to the north and the southwest especially the Vermio mountains, the Voras mountains to the northwest and the Paiko mountains to the northeast. The southernmost portion is flat and in the ancient times, it was a gulf connected with the Aegean Sea, the elevation does not succeed about 5 to 10 m (16 to 33 ft) above sea level. Pella is bounded by the prefectures of Kilkis to the northeast, Thessaloniki to the east, Imathia to the south, Kozani to the southwest, by Lake Vegoritida to the southwest, and by Florina to the west. On the north, it is bounded by the national border between Greece and the Former Yugoslavic Republic of Macedonia.

Tourism and sightseeing

Pella archaeological site.

Pozar thermal baths

Kaimaktsalan ski resort.

• Ancient Pella and Archaeological Museum of Pella: The capital of ancient Macedonia and birthplace of Alexander the Great and King Phillip II left a lot of ancient findings and attractions in the place of Palace and the New Museum.

• Loudias River: A river 7 km from Giannitsa where there is a canoe, kayak and rowing center

• Waterfalls in the city of Edessa

• Pozar thermal baths: The hot springs are located in a mountainous area (altitude 360–390 m) and occupy an area of 75 acres. Five spa gush along the warm river, which continues to flow in the basin of Almopia. The changes of hillocks and hollows, the movement of warm and cold water and dense vegetation give a unique view characterized by dynamic movement and beauty. In this space the visitor cares for personal physical and mental health. The Loutraki Pozar is known from time immemorial. The legends and some findings, talk about using the healing properties of the thermal waters as the time of Alexander the Great and the Roman and Byzantine period in which they become more widely known and utilized quite well. Near the baths is The gorge of Baths, Folk - Paleontological Museum, Caves, The Black forest

• Kaimaktsalan ski resort: Mount Kaimaktsalan or Vorras is the third largest in height mount in Greece (altitude 2524 mtr). There is a famous ski area with 16 ski slopes and the view from the mountain is excellent and when the weather permits one can observe the Thermaikos Gulf and Mount Olympus. At the foot of the mountain there is the picturesque village of Agios Athanasios.

• Giannitsa Ottoman monuments: At the city of Giannitsa there are a lot of buildings from the Ottoman period like The Clock Tower, Mausoleum and baths of Gazi Evrenos, House of Emin Bey, The Baths and the mausoleum of Ahmet Bey, Mosque of Sheikh Ilachi, Mosque of Iskender Bey.

History

In antiquity, the area around the modern Pella regional unit was part of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon. It later became part of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires. Following approximately 500 years of Ottoman rule, it joined Greece in 1913, following the Balkan Wars.

Agriculture

The southern part of the regional unit has many orchards. Agriculture once represented its main industry, today, manufacturing, services and other businesses dominates about 70% of its industry.

Transport

• GR-1 (old highway), SE
• GR-2/E90, W, SW, Cen., E, SE
• Edessa - Verroia road, S
• Thessaloniki-Giannitsa-Edessa

See also

• List of settlements in the Pella regional unit
• Former toponyms of places in Pella Prefecture

External links

• Official website of the prefecture of Pella
• Map & info of Pella Prefecturenn:Pélla

• Kallikratis reform law text PDF