Thessaloniki
40471
225904280
2008-07-15T23:09:38Z
Student7
2745211
use past tense for credibility. Otherwise looks like we're predicting the future
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name = Thessaloniki
|name_local = Θεσσαλονίκη
|periph = [[Central Macedonia]]
|prefec = [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki]]
|image_skyline = White Tower.jpg
|caption_skyline = The [[White Tower of Thessaloniki]] was used as a prison during the era of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Today it is a museum and the landmark of the city.
|city_flag = Thessaloniki Municipal Flag.png
|city_seal = Thessaloniki seal.png
|districts = 16
|party = [[New Democracy (Greece)|ND]]
|since = [[January 1]], [[1999]]
|elevation_min = 0
|elevation_max = 20
|population = 363987
|population_metro = 1057825
|population_as_of = 2001
|area = 17.8
|area_metro = 108.088
|lat_deg = 40
|lat_min = 38
|lon_deg = 22
|lon_min = 57
|postal_code = 53x xx, 54x xx, 55x xx, 56x xx
|area_code = 2310
|licence = Ν
|mayor = [[Vassilios Papageorgopoulos]]
|website = [http://www.thessalonikicity.gr www.thessalonikicity.gr]
}}
'''Thessaloniki''' ({{lang-el|Θεσσαλονίκη}}, {{IPA2|θe̞salo̞ˈnikʲi}}) or '''Salonica''' is the [[List of largest cities and second largest cities by country|second-largest city]] in [[Greece]] and the capital of [[Macedonia (Greece)|Macedonia]], the nation's largest [[Regions of Greece|region]]. It is the largest city in the [[Macedonia (region)|wider geographical region of Macedonia]], and also one of the largest cities in [[Balkans|southeastern Europe]]. The [[Thessaloniki Urban Area]] extends around the [[Thermaic Gulf]] for approximately {{convert|17|km|mi|0}} and comprises 16 municipalities. According to the 2001 census, the municipality of Thessaloniki had a population of 363,987, while the metropolitan population approximates one million inhabitants.
Thessaloniki is Greece's second major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe; its commercial port is also of great importance for Greece and its southeast European hinterland. It has been traditional for the country's [[Prime Minister of Greece|Prime Minister]] to set out his government's policies for each coming year in a speech at the annual Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.
Thessaloniki retains several [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] and [[Sephardi Jews|Jewish]] structures as well as a large number of [[Byzantine architecture|Byzantine architectural]] monuments. The city has hosted an annual International Trade Fair, the [[Thessaloniki International Film Festival]], and the largest bi-annual meeting of the [[Greek diaspora]].
==Name==
{{seealso|Names of European cities in different languages#T}}
All variations for the city's name derive from the original (and current) appellation 'Thessaloniki'. The alternative name ''Salonica'', formerly the common name used in some [[western Europe]]an languages, is derived from a variant form Σαλονίκη (''Saloníki'') in popular [[Greek language|Greek]] speech. The city's name is also rendered ''Thessaloníki'' or ''Saloníki'' with a [[Velarized alveolar lateral approximant|dark l]] typical of Macedonian Greek.<ref>{{cite book |last= Ανδριώτης (Andriotis) |first= Νικόλαος Π. (Nikolaos P.) |year= 1995 |title= Ιστορία της ελληνικής γλώσσας: (τέσσερις μελέτες) (History of the Greek language: four studies) |publisher= Ίδρυμα Τριανταφυλλίδη |location=Θεσσαλονίκη (Thessaloniki) |isbn=960-231-058-8 |language=Greek}}</ref><ref>
{{cite book |last= Vitti |first= Mario |year=2001 |title= Storia della letteratura neogreca |publisher=Carocci |location=Roma |isbn=88-430-1680-6 |language=Italian}}</ref> Names in other languages prominent in the city's history include سلانيك in [[Ottoman Turkish language|Ottoman Turkish]] and ''Selânik'' in [[Turkish language|modern Turkish]], ''Solun'' ([[Cyrillic]]: Солунь) in the [[Slavic languages of Macedonia (Greece)|Slavic languages of the region]], ''Sãrunã'' in [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]], and ''Selanik'' in [[Ladino language|Ladino]]. It is also knows as 'Thess' by the diaspora Greeks who returned to Greece and by the international forces stationed in the various ex-Yugoslav territory and who visit the city for their short breaks.
Thessaloniki is commonly called the ''Συμπρωτεύουσα'' ''Symprotevousa'' (lit. co-capital) of Northern Greece since the [[National Schism]], in much the same way as it was called the ''συμβασιλεύουσα'' ''symbasilevousa'' (co-queen) of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. It was also considered to be the second-most important city in the Ottoman empire.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
==History==
{{main|History of Thessaloniki}}
[[Image:Ac alexanderstatue.jpg|thumb|The [[statue]] of [[Alexander the Great]] (Alexander III of Macedon)]]
The city was founded around [[315 BC]] by the [[Cassander|King Cassander of Macedon]], on or near the site of the ancient town of [[Therma]] and twenty-six other local villages. He named it after his wife [[Thessalonice of Macedon|Thessalonike]], a half-sister of [[Alexander the Great]] (''Thessalo-nikē'' means the "victory of Thessalians"). It was an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Macedon. After the fall of the kingdom of Macedon in [[168 BC]], Thessalonica became a city of the [[Roman Republic]]. It grew to be an important trade-hub located on the [[Via Egnatia]] and facilitating trade between Europe and Asia. The city became the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia.
When in 379 the Roman Prefecture of Illyricum was divided between East and West Roman Empires, Thessaloníki became the capital of the new Prefecture of Illyricum. The economic expansion of the city continued through the twelfth century as the rule of the [[Komnenoi]] emperors expanded Byzantine control to the north. Thessaloniki passed out of Byzantine hands in 1204, when Constantinople was captured by the [[Fourth Crusade]]. Thessaloníki and its surrounding territory—the [[Kingdom of Thessalonica]]—became the largest fief of the [[Latin Empire]]. The city was recovered by the Byzantine Empire in 1246 sold it in 1423 to [[Republic of Venice|Venice]], which held the city until it was captured by the [[Ottoman Dynasty|Ottoman Sultan]] [[Murad II]] on [[29 March]] [[1430]].<ref>cf. the account of [[John Anagnostes]].</ref>
During the Ottoman period, the city's Muslim and Jewish population grew. By 1478, Selanik had a population of 4,320 Muslims and 6,094 Greek Orthodox, as well as some Catholics, but no Jews. By ca. 1500, the numbers had grown to 7,986 Greeks, 8,575 Muslims, and 3,770 Jews, but by 1519, there were 15,715, 54% of the city's population. The invitation of the [[Sephardic Jew]]s expelled from Spain by [[Catholic Monarchs|Ferdinand and Isabella]], was an Ottoman demographic strategy aiming to prevent the Greek element from dominating the city.<ref name="Cambridge">The New Cambridge Medieval History p.779 - Rosamond McKitterick, Christopher Allmand</ref> The city remained the largest Jewish city in the world for at least two centuries, often called "Mother of Israel". Selanik was a [[sanjak]] centre in [[Rumelia Province, Ottoman Empire|Rumeli Eyaleti]] till 1864. It was centre of [[Salonika Province, Ottoman Empire|Selanik Vilayeti]], which consisted sanjaks of Selanik, [[Serres|Serez]] and [[Drama%2C_Greece|Drama]] between 1864-1912.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
[[Image:Dimamosaic.jpg|thumb|120px|A seventh-century mosaic from [[Hagios Demetrios]] representing St. Demetrius with children.]]
From 1870, driven by economic growth, the city's population exploded by 70%, reaching 135,000 in 1917.
During the [[First Balkan War]], the Ottoman garrison surrendered Salonica to the [[Hellenic Army|Greek Army]], on November {{OldStyleDate|8 November|1912|26 October}} without any resistance. In 1915, during [[World War I]], a large [[Allies|Allied]] [[Expeditionary Force|expeditionary force]] landed at Thessaloniki as the base for a massive offensive against pro-German Bulgaria. In 1916, pro-[[Venizelism|Venizelist]] army officers, with the support of the Allies, launched the [[Movement of National Defence]], which resulted in the establishment of a pro-Allied [[Provisional government|temporary government]] that controlled northern Greece and the Aegean, against the official government of the King in Athens, which lead the city to be dubbed as ''symprotévousa'' ("co-capital"). Most of the old town was destroyed by [[Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917|a single fire]] on {{OldStyleDate|18 August|1917|5 August}}, accidentally sparked by French soldiers in encampments at the city. The fire left some 72,000 homeless, many of them Turkish, of a population of approximately 271,157 at the time. Thessaloniki fell to the forces of [[Nazi Germany]] on [[April 22]] [[1941]], and remained under German occupation until [[30 October]] [[1944]]. The city suffered considerable damage from Allied bombing, and almost its entire [[Jewish population]] was exterminated by the Nazis. Barely a thousand Jews survived. Thessaloniki was rebuilt and recovered fairly quickly after the war with large-scale development of new infrastructure and industry throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
On [[20 June]] [[1978]], the city was hit by a powerful [[earthquake]], registering a moment magnitude of 6.5. The tremor caused considerable damage to several buildings and even to some of the city's Byzantine monuments; forty people were crushed to death when an entire apartment block collapsed in the central Hippodromio district. Early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki were inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage list]] in 1988, and Thessaloniki later became [[European Capital of Culture|European City of Culture]] 1997. In 2004 the city hosted a number of the [[football (soccer)|football]] events forming part of the [[2004 Summer Olympics]]. Thessaloniki unsuccessfully bid for the 2008 World EXPO, this time won by [[Zaragoza]] in [[Spain]], but another planned bid for 2017 was announced in September 2006 and is now in full development.
==Government==
{{seealso|List of mayors of Thessaloniki}}
As Thessaloniki is the second largest city in [[Greece]], and an influential city in Northern Greece, it functions as the capital of the [[Central Macedonia|Central Macedonia Periphery]], [[Thessaloniki Prefecture]], and Thessaloniki Municipality.
==Urban Landscape==
[[Image:Thessaloniki Upper Town2.jpg|700px|thumb|center|<center>The Ano Poli district as seen from the eastern seafront.</center>]]
[[Image:Thesaloniki - Wiev of the city and the sea.jpg|thumb|center|700px|<center>Panoramic View of parts of central and eastern Thessaloniki from the Byzantine walls.</center>]]
===Architecture===
[[Image:Derelict building Agias Sofias 1.jpg|thumb|Part of the Aghia Sophia Square.]]
[[Image:Bank of Greece Thessaloniki 1.jpg|thumb|The building of the [[National Bank of Greece]] in central Thessaloniki.]]
[[Image:Looking down at Aristotelous Sq Thessaloniki 2005.jpg|thumb|Part of [[Aristotelous Square]] in central Thessaloniki.]]
[[Image:Thessaloniki-Arch of Galerius (eastern face).jpg|thumb|The [[Arch of Galerius]] (''Kamara'') stands on Egnatia Avenue.]]
[[Image:Saint George Rotunda.jpg|thumb|The [[Rotunda of St. George]] in central Thessaloniki.]]
[[Image:Aerial view of Kalamaria, Greece.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of the eastern districts of Thessaloniki and [[Kalamaria]], the city's easternmost suburb.]]
The architectural map of Thessaloniki has been a direct result of the city's position at the center of all historical developments in the Balkans. Aside from its commercial importance, Thessaloniki was, for many centuries, the military and administrative hub of the region, and beyond this the transportation link between Europe and [[the Levant]].
The city attracted merchants, traders and refugees from across Europe, including Jews joining the city's earlier population. The authorities replaced part of the city's earliest Byzantine walls to allow it to expand, which it did, to the east and west along the coast. The need for commercial and public buildings in this new era of prosperity led to a marked shift in architectural direction and the construction of large edifices in the city center, in lots formerly occupied by small, shabby one-family homes. During this time, the city saw the building of banks, large hotels, theaters, warehouses, and factories. The city layout changed after 1870, when the seaside fortifications gave way to extensive piers, and many of the oldest walls of the city were demolished including those surrounding the White Tower.
The expansion of [[Eleftherias Square]] towards the sea completed the new commercial hub of the city. The western districts are classified as a the working class section, near the factories and industrial activity; the middle and [[Social class|upper classes]] gradually moved to the east suburbs of the town from the center, leaving the latter mostly business dominated. The most decisive and unforeseen moment in the city's modern history was 1917. A devastating fire swept through the city that year and burned uncontrollably for 32 hours. It destroyed the city's historic center and a large part of its architectural heritage, including many buildings of rare beauty.
A team of architects and urban planners led by Ernest Hebrard, a French architect chose the Byzantine era as the basis for their (re)building designs. The new city plan included axes, diagonal streets and monumental squares, with a [[Grid plan|street grid]] that would channel traffic smoothly. The plan of 1917 included provisions for the future population explosion and an adequate street and road network that would have been sufficient even today. It contained sites for public and significant buildings, the restoration of important Byzantine churches and landmarks and of Ottoman mosques, whereas the whole of the [[Upper City]], near the fortifications, was declared a [[heritage site]]. The plan also included a site for the campus of the future [[University of Thessaloniki]], which was never fully realized, although today's University campus incorporates some of Hebrard's ideas nonetheless.
An important element of the plan was to achieve a fine balance between contemporary urban planning and architectural ideas, and the city's rich tradition and history. These plans were never to be fully implemented, and the city lacks a full administrative district to this day. Nevertheless, this aspect of the plan influenced a number of building and planning decisions throughout the 20th century, with inevitable adaptations to service the population explosion of the last 50 years.
===Landmarks===
*The [[White Tower of Thessaloniki]] ({{lang-el|Λευκός Πύργος}} ''Lefkos Pyrgos''), widely regarded as the symbol of the city.
*The [[Arch and Tomb of Galerius]] is more commonly known as the "Kamara" and ornately decorated, crafted with a reddish-coloured stone.
*The Upper Town or 'Ano Poli' is what remains of Ottoman Thessaloniki, with beautiful wooden houses overhanging the winding streets all the way up to the Eptapyrgio at the top of the city. The Ano Poli also contains some of the city's oldest and most important churches, particularly Osios David, [[Church of Saint Nicolaos Orfanou|St. Nicolaos Orphanos]] and Vlatades Monastery.
*The Church of [[Aghios Demetrios]] is the most important church in the entire city. Lying above the remains of the agora and the Roman Forum, the church has three side-chapels, a museum, and underground catacombs that also include Saint Demetrios' imprisonment chamber; he is the patron saint of the city.
*[[OTE Tower]], a [[radio masts and towers|TV tower]] is the center of the Thessaloniki Expo Center. A [[revolving restaurant]] offers spectacular views of the city.
*The waterfront is Thessaloniki's major draw. The promenade of Nikis Avenue runs from the White Tower of Thessaloniki to the giant palace that is now a ferry terminal, and plentiful cafés, restaurants and shops line the waterfront.
*The [[Arch and Tomb of Galerius]], or the Church of Aghios Georgios, is a circular church lacking the classic Orthodox iconostasis. The church is built upon former Roman and Greek pagan ruins.
*[[Aristotelous Square]] extends all the way from Nikis Avenue on the waterfront to the [[Church of Panayia Halkeion]]. The square, shaped like a bottle, is lined with tall ''archondika'', or mansions of the affluent, that have now been converted to shops and hotels. A large park lies at the north end of the square, and Thessaloniki's thriving old market is just one block away to the east and west.
*The Church of [[Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki)|Aghia Sofia]], also located in the city center, includes the large church and paved alleyways that make the few blocks around it widely known.
*The extensive [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] walls of the Upper City (''Ano Poli'') and kastro.
*The Kyvernion (''little Palace''); former residence of the King and Queen of Greece; in the [[Karabournaki]] area, in Eastern Thessaloniki
*The modern Concert Hall of Thessaloniki in the East side of the city, near the Posidonion sports center.
*Thessaloniki Intemational [[Trade fair|Trade Fair]] held every September, organised by Helexpo.
*The Seven tower-castle (''Επταπύργιον'').
===Museums===
*[http://www.jmth.gr/ Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki] (Museo Djudio de Salonik)
*[http://www.mmca.org.gr/ Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art]
*[[State Museum of Contemporary Arts]] [http://www.greekstatemuseum.com] housing an important collection of 1275 [[russian avantgarde|Russian avant-garde]] works of art, collected by [[George Costakis]]
*Macedonia-Thrace Folklore and Ethnological Museum, housed in the G. Modiano Mansion
*[http://www.mbp.gr/html/en/index.htm Museum of Byzantine Culture]
*[http://www.amth.gr/ Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum]
*[http://www.cinemuseum.gr Thessaloniki Cinema Museum]
*[[Museum of the Macedonian Struggle]]
*[http://www.sportmuseum.gr/index.php?lan=1 Thessaloniki Sports Museum]
*[http://www.eyath.gr/eng/4mouseio.htm Water Museum of Thessaloniki]
*White Tower of Thessaloniki, museum and monument
*[[Thessaloniki Science Center & Technology Museum - NOESIS]]
*[http://www.thmphoto.gr/ Thessaloniki Museum of Photography]
*[http://www.cinemuseum.gr/museum/ Museum of Cinematography]
*[http://web.auth.gr/teloglion/ Teloglion Foundation of Art]
*Artforum Culture Foundation
*[http://www.artforum-culture-foundation.org/ Artforum Research-institute and public-exhibition-hall]
*[http://www.ekbmm.gr/ukindex.html European Center of Byzantine and Postbyzantine Monuments]
*[http://www.ekby.gr/ The Goulandris Natural History Museum]
===Archaeological sites===
*Agia Paraskevi, Thessaloniki, archaic cemetery
*The Ancient Agora of Thessaloniki
*[[Monastery of Latomou (Thessaloniki)|Monastery of Latomos]] at Thessaloniki
*The Roman Palace and Hippodrome
*The extensive city walls
*Trigonian Tower and the Castra area
==Demographics==
Although the population of the Municipality of Thessaloniki has declined in the last two censuses, the metropolitan area's population is still growing, as people are moving to the suburbs. Today approximately 1 million people live in the [[Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area|metropolitan area]], making it the second largest metropolitan area in Greece after [[Athens]].
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Year !! City population !! Change !! Metro population
|-
| 1981 || 406,413 || - || -
|-
| 1991 || 383,967<ref name=pop>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gr/Main_eng.asp |title= Population of Greece |work=General Secretariat Of National Statistical Service Of Greece |publisher=www.statistics.gr |accessdate=2007-08-02 |date=2001}}</ref> || -22,446/-5.52% || -
|-
| 2001 || 363,987<ref name=pop/> || -19,980/-5.20% || 1,057,825<ref name=pop/>
<!--http://www.statistics.gr/gr_tables/pinakas2-39.PDF -->
|}
===The Jews of Thessaloniki===
{{main|History of the Jews of Thessaloniki}}
[[Image:Street in Ladidaka neighbourhood of Thessaloniki July 2006.jpg|thumb|The colourful shopfronts of the central district of Ladadika which used to be the Jewish quarter]]
[[Image:CimetièreJuifSaloniquefin19e.jpg|thumb|The Jewish Cemetery of Thessaloniki in the late 19th century.]]
Thessaloniki's Jewish community was largely of [[Sephardic]] background, but also included the historically significant and ancient [[Romaniotes|Romaniote]] community. During the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] era, Thessaloniki's Jewish community comprised more than half the city's population and Jews were dominant in commerce until the Greek population increased after 1912. Within the interwar Greek state the Jews enjoyed the same [[civil rights]] as all other Greeks.<ref>[http://www.jmth.gr/web/thejews/pages/pages/history/pages/his.htm History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As a result of the Jewish influence on the city, many non-Jewish inhabitants of Thessaloniki also spoke [[Ladino language|Ladino]], the [[Romance languages|Romance language]] of the [[Sephardic]] Jews, and the city virtually ground to a stop on Saturday, the Jewish [[Shabbat|Sabbath]].<ref>[http://www.ce-review.org/00/4/daskalovski4.html Central Europe Review - Macedonian Jews: Remembering the Past<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
A great blow to the Jewish community of Thessaloniki came with the [[Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917|great fire of 1917]], which left 50,000 Jews homeless.<ref>[http://www.jmth.gr/web/thejews/pages/pages/history/pages/his1.htm History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Many Jews emigrated to [[Turkey]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Stanford J. Shaw |title=Turkey and the Jews of Europe during World War II |url=http://www.sefarad.org/publication/lm/043/6.html |date=2001}}</ref> the [[United states of America|United States]], other parts of Europe and [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]]. In 1920, a law of the period creating separate electoral colleges for Salonica's Jews, meant they could not compete with Christian candidates,<ref>Mazower, pg. 381</ref> and a measure in 1922 ending Sunday trading had caused further stress for part of the city's Jewish population, already suffering the loss of markets after the collapse of the Ottoman empire, and more Jews emigrated.<ref>ibid</ref> The arrival of the 100,000 Greek refugees settling in Thessaloniki after the Asia Minor catastrophe of 1923, reduced the importance of the community and during the interwar period its proportions were at 20% of the city's population.
In March 1926, Greece had re-emphasised that all citizens of Greece enjoyed equal rights, and a considerable proportion of the Jews of the city stuck by their earlier conviction they should remain. By 1944 the great majority of the community firmly identified themselves as both Greek and Jewish. According to [[Misha Glenny]], these Greek Jews had largely not encountered "anti-Semitism in its North European form..the twentieth century had witnessed the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment among Greeks... but it attracted an insignificant minority".<ref>"Misha Glenny, The Balkans, page 512"</ref> By the mid 1940s the prospect of German deportation to death camps was repeatedly met with disbelief by an increasingly well integrated Greek Jewish population. [[Mordechai Frizis]] was nevertheless among the leading Greek officers of World War II.
Thessaloniki's Jewish community continued to play an important role in the city's life up until its occupation by the [[Nazi]]s in World War II. The Nazis murdered approximately 96% of Thessaloniki's Jews of all ages in the [[Holocaust]], effectively ending the Jewish community of Thessaloniki. Today, fewer than 1,000 Jews are left in Thessaloniki, although there are communities of Thessaloniki Jews -- both Sephardic and Romaniote -- in the United States and [[Israel]].
'''Jewish Population of Thessaloniki'''<ref>[http://www.jmth.gr/web/thejews/pages/pages/history/pages/his.htm History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Total Population
!Jewish Population
!Jewish Percentage
!Source
|-
|1842
| align="right" |70,000
| align="right" |36,000
| align="right" |51%
| align="middle"|Jakob Philipp Fallmerayer
|-
|1870
| align="right" |90,000
| align="right" |50,000
| align="right" |56%
| align="middle"|Greek schoolbook (G.K. Moraitopoulos, 1882)
|-
|1882/84
| align="right" |85,000
| align="right" |48,000
| align="right" |56%
| align="middle"|Ottoman government census
|-
|1902
| align="right" |126,000
| align="right" |62,000
| align="right" |49%
| align="middle"|Ottoman government census
|-
|1913
| align="right" |157,889
| align="right" |61,439
| align="right" |39%
| align="middle"|Greek government census
|-
|1917
| align="right" |
| align="right" |52,000
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
|-
|1943
| align="right" |
| align="right" |50,000
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
|-
|2000
| align="right" |363,987<ref name=pop/>
| align="right" |1,000
| align="right" |0.27%
| align="right" |
|}
===Ethnic statistics===
The tables below show the ethnic statistics of Thessaloniki during the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century.
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Total Population
!Jewish Population
!Turkish Population
!Greek Population
!Bulgarian Population
!Roma Population
!Other groups
|-
|1890
| align="right" |118,000<ref name=19thcen>{{cite book |author=Васил Кънчов |title="Избрани произведения", Том II, "Македония. Етнография и статистика" |url=http://www.promacedonia.org/vk/vk_2_01.htm |publisher=Издателство "Наука и изкуство" |location=София |year=1970 |page=pg. 440 |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>
| align="right" |55,000<ref name=19thcen/>
| align="right" |26,000<ref name=19thcen/>
| align="right" |16,000<ref name=19thcen/>
| align="right" |10,000<ref name=19thcen/>
| align="right" |2,500<ref name=19thcen/>
| align="right" |8,500<ref name=19thcen/>
|-
|around 1913
| align="right" |157,889<ref name=20thcen>{{cite book |author=Συλλογικο εργο |title="Ιστορια του Ελληνικου Εθνους",History of Greek Nation Том ΙΔ, |publisher="ΕΚΔΟΤΙΚΗ ΑΘΗΝΩΝ" |location=ATHENS |year=1973 |page=pg. 340 |language=Greek and English |accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>
| align="right" |61,439<ref name=20thcen/>
| align="right" |45,889<ref name=20thcen/>
| align="right" |39,956<ref name=20thcen/>
| align="right" |6,263<ref name=20thcen/>
| align="right" |2,721<ref name=20thcen/>
| align="right" |1,621<ref name=20thcen/>
|}
==Economy==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=January 2008}}
Thessaloníki is a major port city and an industrial and commercial center. The city's industries center around [[Petroleum|oil]], [[steel]], [[petrochemicals]], [[textiles]], machinery, [[flour]], [[cement]], [[pharmaceuticals]], and [[distilled beverage|liquor]]. Being a [[free port]], the city functions as the gateway to the Balkan hinterland. The city is also a major transportation hub for the whole of southeastern Europe, carrying, among other things, trade to and from the newly capitalist countries of the region. A considerable percentage of the city's workers are employed in small- and medium-sized businesses and in the service and the public sectors.
In recent years, the city has begun a process of deindustrialization and a move towards a service based economy. A spate of factory shut downs have occurred in order to take advantage of cheaper labor markets and more lax regulations. Among the largest companies to shut down factories are [[Goodyear]], [http://www.pfi.gr/ PFI (ΒΦΛ)], AVEZ (the first industrial factory in northern Greece built in 1926),<ref>http://www.makthes.gr/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10661 Information is in Greek from one of the city's largest dailies.</ref> and VIAMIL (ΒΙΑΜΥΛ). Siemens is also considering shutting down their plant in the city.
==Culture==
===Festivals===
{{Unreferencedsection|date=April 2008}}
{{main|Festivals of Thessaloniki}}
[[Image:Thessaloniki music Hall4.jpg|thumb|The Thessaloniki Concert Hall.]]
Thessaloniki is home to a number of festivals and events, including the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, with its eighty-year history;{{fact}}<!--including WW II? this seems unlikely--> the city's Fair has been hosted at the [[Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center]] and attracts over 300,000 visitors in 2007. The [[International Thessaloniki Film Festival|Thessaloniki International Film Festival]] has been established as one of the most important film festivals in [[Southeastern Europe]], with a number of notable film makers such as [[Francis Ford Coppola]], [[Faye Dunaway]], [[Catherine Deneuve]], [[Irene Papas]] and [[Fatih Akın]] taking part. The "[[Thessaloniki Documentary Festival|Documentary Festival]]", founded in 1999, has focused on documentaries that explore global social and cultural developments, with many of the films presented being candidates for [[FIPRESCI]] and Audience Awards. The [[Dimitria]] festival, founded in 1966 and named after the city's [[patron saint]] of [[St. Demetrius]], has focused on a wide range of events including music, theatre, dance, local happenings, and exhibitions. The "[[DMC World DJ Championships|DMC DJ Championship]]" has been hosted at the [[International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki]] and has become a worldwide event for aspiring DJs and turntablists. The "International Festival of Photography" has taken place every February to mid-April, attracting the interest of both the photographic world and the public. Exhibitions for the event are sited at museums, heritage landmarks, galleries, bookshops and cafes.
===Sports===
[[Image:Dayforball.JPG|right|thumb|[[Toumba Stadium]], home ground of [[PAOK FC]]. ]]
[[Image:Alexandrio melathro1.jpg|thumb|Basketball game in [[Alexandreio Melathron]]. ]]
The main football stadiums in the city are the [[Public ownership|state-owned]] [[Kaftanzoglio Stadium]], [[Toumba Stadium]] and [[Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium]] home grounds of Iraklis, PAOK and Aris respectively. PAOK, Iraklis and Aris are founding members of the [[Super League Greece|Greek league]]. Thessaloniki's major indoor arenas are the state-owned [[Alexandreio Melathron]], home to Aris indoor departments and various other cultural activities, [[PAOK Sports Arena]] and the [[YMCA]] indoor hall.
In [[basketball]], [[Aris BC|Aris]] has won 10 [[A1 Ethniki|Greek Championships]], 8 [[Greek basketball Cup|Greek Cups]], and 3 European titles, with [[PAOK BC|PAOK]] and [[Iraklis BC|Iraklis]] following suit with many successes too. In [[volleyball]], [[Iraklis VC|Iraklis]] is considered by far the most successful team in the city and one of the 3 most successful teams in Greece having won 3 [[A1 Volleyball|Volleyball Championships]], 5 Cups, 2 Super Cups, and having reached the final of the [[CEV Champions League|Volley Champions League]] twice. In October 2007, Thessaloniki organized the first South Eastern European Games.<ref>[http://www.seegames2007.org/site.php?&file=index.xml&lang=el 1οι Αγώνες των χωρών της Νοτιανατολικής Ευρώπης - SEE games - Thessaloniki 2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Club
!Founded
|-
|[[G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki|Iraklis]]
|1908
|-
|[[Aris Thessaloniki|Aris]]
|1914
|-
|[[YMCA]]
|1921
|-
|[[PAOK]]
|1926
|-
|[[Apollon Kalamarias F.C.|Apollon]]
|1926
|-
|[[Agrotikos Asteras]]
|1932
|}
===Notable Thessalonians===
{{main|List of Thessalonians}}
Thessaloniki, throughout it's history has been home to a number of [[politicians]], [[artists]], [[craftsmen]], [[sportsmen]], [[clergy]] and [[singers]] among others.
==Geography==
Thessaloniki was hit by powerful earthquakes in 620, 667, 700, 1677, 1759, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1932, and 1978. The event in 1978 measured a 6.5 magnitude on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]].<ref>http://caltecheerl.library.caltech.edu/221/00/7803.pdf PDF file</ref>
===Climate===
Thessaloniki lies on the northern fringe of the [[Thermaic Gulf]], along its western side, and to its south-eastern side is bordered by Mt. Hortiatis. The city borders the [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] and Mid-European Temperate climates. Annual rainfall has averaged 451 mm (17.75 inches). Snowfall has been sporadic, but has occured almost annually.
Thessaloniki was hit by powerful earthquakes in 620, 667, 700, 1677, 1759, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1932, and 1978. The event in 1978 measured a 6.5 magnitude on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]].<ref>http://caltecheerl.library.caltech.edu/221/00/7803.pdf PDF file</ref>
{{climate chart|Thessaloniki
|1|9|40
|2|11|38
|5|14|43
|8|19|35
|12|25|43
|16|29|30
|19|32|22
|18|31|20
|15|27|27
|11|21|45
|7|15|58
|3|11|50
|float=right
|source=
}}
The city lies in the transitional climatic zone, so its climate has displayed characteristics of continental as well as mediterranean climate. The winter is relatively dry, with morning frost being common. Snow has occured almost annually, but usually has not persisted for many days. During the worst winter spells, temperatures have dropped as low as -10C/14F (Record min. -14C/7F).
Thessaliniki's summers have been hot and their nights humid. Maximum temperatures have generally risen above 30C/86F, but have rarely overshot 40C/104F (Record max. 44C). Rain has been infrequent during summer, and has occured mainly in the form of thunderstorms.
==Transportation==
Public transport in Thessaloniki is currently served only by buses. The [[Bus|bus company]] operating in the city is called Organismos Astikon Sygkoinonion Thessalonikis ([[OASTH]]), or Thessaloniki Urban Transportation Organization.
===Thessaloniki Metro===
{{see|Thessaloniki Metro}}
The construction of the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Railway was under discussion for more than fifteen years,<ref name=AE/> but construction began in 2006 and is scheduled to last around six and a half years, with a completion date envisaged for late 2012.<ref name=AE>{{cite web |url=http://www.ametro.gr/cgi-bin/showpress.cgi?id=77 |title=CONCLUSION OF CONTRACT FOR THE THESSALONIKI METRO |date=2006-04-07 |accessdate=2007-08-13 |work=Attiko Metro S.A. |publisher=www.ametro.gr}}</ref> The line is set to extend over 9.5km and include 13 stations,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=2203508&service=8 |title=Thessaloniki metro "top priority", Public Works minister says |work=Athens News Agency |date=2007-02-12 |publisher=www.ana.gr |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> and it is expected that the subway will eventually serve 250,000 passengers daily.<ref name=AE/> Like the [[Athens Metro]], the [[Thessaloniki Metro]] will also house a number of archaeological finds.<ref name=AF>{{cite web |url=http://www.ametro.gr/cgi-bin/showpress.cgi?id=88 |title=CONCLUSION THESSALONIKI METRO & ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION |date=2007-04-12 |accessdate=2007-08-13 |work=Attiko Metro S.A. |publisher=www.ametro.gr}}</ref>
Discussions are underway on future expansion, in order to connect the underground with the major transport hubs for the city, the Makedonia Central Bus Station, the [[Central Railway Station]], and [[Makedonia International Airport]]. Expansions to [[Kalamaria]], the easternmost suburb of Thessaloniki, and to [[Stavroupoli]], in the west, are part of the initial construction phase. Future expansions include the districts of [[Eleftherio-Kordelio]], and the northern districts, such as [[Toumba]].
===Motorways===
{{see|Egnatia Odos}}
[[Image:Thessaloniki airport terminal.jpg|thumb|The exterior view of the [[Makedonia International Airport]].]]
[[Image:Thessaloniki train station.jpg|thumb|The train station. Thessaloniki is linked with a number of cities throughout [[South-Eastern Europe]].]]
Thessaloniki was without a motorway link until the 1970s. The city is accessed by [[Greece Interstate 1|GR-1]]/E75 from Athens, GR-4, [[Greece Interstate 2|GR-2]], (Via Egnatia) /E90 and GR-12/E85 from Serres and [[Sofia, Bulgaria|Sofia]]; by the early 1970s the motorway had reached Thessaloniki and was the last section of the GR-1 to be completed, while 1980s construction saw completion of the city's 4-lane bypass, which was finally opened to traffic in 1988 and runs from the western industrial side of the city all the way to its southeast, approaching Thermi and Halkidiki. Recently upgraded, it now takes in a number of new junctions and improved motorway features; the latest motorway expansion was toward the Via Egnatia, northwest of Thessaloniki.
===Railways===
The city is a major railway hub for the Balkans, with direct connections to [[Sofia]], [[Skopje]], [[Belgrade]], [[Moscow]], [[Vienna]], [[Budapest]], [[Bucharest]] and [[Istanbul]], alongside [[Athens]] and other major destinations in [[Greece]]. Commuter rail services have recently been established between Thessaloniki and [[Litochoro]], [[Pieria]], covering the journey in approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
===Airport===
[[Air Traffic|Air traffic]] to and from the city is served by [[Makedonia International Airport]], for both international and domestic flights. The short length of the airport's two runways means that it does not support intercontinental flights, although there are plans for major expansion. The expansion of one of the runways into the Thermaic Gulf is being undertaken, so as to enable the servicing of trans-oceanic flights, despite considerable opposition from local environmentalist groups.
==Media==
{{MultiCol}}
===Newspapers===
*[[Makedonia (newspaper)|Makedonia - Thessaloniki]] <ref>[http://www.makthes.gr Makthes]</ref>
*Aggelioforos
{{ColBreak}}
===Television===
*[[ERT3]] [http://www.ert3.gr]
*[[TV Macedonia]] [http://www.maketv.gr]
*TV100
*4E, Church TV Station
{{Multicol-end}}
==Twin Cities==
{{MultiCol}}
===Twinnings===
*{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]], since [[July 12]] [[1993]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Bologna]], [[Emilia-Romagna]], [[Italy]], since [[October 20]] [[1984]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Slovakia}} [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]], since [[April 23]] [[1986]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Cologne]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany, since [[May 3]] [[1988]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Constanţa]], [[Romania]], since [[July 5]] [[1988]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], [[Connecticut]], [[United States]] since [[March 5]] [[1962]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hplct.org/tap/cultural_exchange/sister_cities/hartford_sister_cities_internati.htm#Thessaloniki%20Sister%20City |title=Hartford Sister Cities International |accessdate=2008-02-02 |work=Harford Public Library}}</ref><ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|India}} [[Kolkata]], [[India]] since [[January 1]] [[2005]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Albania}} [[Korçë]], [[Albania]] since [[October 14]] [[2005]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Leipzig]], [[Saxony]], [[Germany]], since [[October 17]] [[1984]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Limassol]], [[Cyprus]], since [[June 30]] [[1984]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] since [[March 19]] [[1984]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=161&pg=1643 |title=International relations: Thessaloniki |accessdate=2008-02-02 |work=City of Melbourne}}</ref><ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Nice]], [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]], [[France]], since [[March 20]] [[1992]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Plovdiv]], [[Bulgaria]], since [[February 27]] [[1984]]<ref name=twins>{{cite web |url=http://www.thessalonikicity.gr/English/twinning-cities.htm |title=Twinning Cities |work=City of Thessaloniki |accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[California]], United States since [[August 6]] [[1990]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sfgov.org/site/visitor_index.asp?id=7717 |title=Fun Facts and Statistics |accessdate=2008-02-02 |work=City and County of San Francisco}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]], since [[November 24]] [[1994]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Tianjin]], China since [[March 4]] [[2002]]<ref name=twins/>
{{ColBreak}}
===Collaborations===
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]] since [[April 21]] [[1996]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota]], [[United States]] since [[July 5]] [[1993]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Budapest]], Hungary since [[April 5]] [[1993]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Dnipropetrovsk]], [[Ukraine]] since [[April 18]] [[2003]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Armenia}} [[Gyumri]], [[Armenia]] since [[November 23]] [[2000]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Marseille]], [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]], [[France]], since [[June 4]] [[1991]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States]] since [[April 1]] [[2004]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]], since 2003<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Shenyang]], [[China]] since [[March 23]] [[2000]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] since [[September 5]] [[1986]]<ref name=twins/>
*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Venice]], Italy, since [[July 17]] [[2003]]<ref name=twins/>
{{EndMultiCol}}
==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Saint Demetrius Thessaloniki.jpg|The Church of [[Hagios Demetrios]], Patron Saint of the city, in central Thessaloniki.
Image:Thessaloniki Saint Gregory Palamas.jpg|The Metropolitan Church of Thessaloniki, Saint [[Gregory Palamas]].
Image:Hagiasophiathessa.jpg|The [[Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki)|Church of Holy Wisdom]] (''Αγία Σοφία'' - Hagia Sophia) in central Thessaloniki.
Image:Saloniki Nikis2.jpg|Niki's Avenue on Thessaloniki's central seafront.
Image:THES-Heptapyrgion SE.jpg|The Heptapyrghion or Yedi Kule Castle.
Image:Dioikitirio Salonica 4.jpg|The Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace in central Thessaloniki.
Image:OTE Tower.jpg|The OTE Tower is one of the city's modern landmarks.
Image:Aristotelian University.jpg|Section of the campus of the [[Aristotle University]] of Thessaloniki.
Image:Navarinou_Square.jpg|The colourful Navarinou Square at the city center.
Image:Thessaloniki 08-07.jpg|Evening view of the [[White Tower]] and the [[Thermaic Gulf]] towards the [[YMCA]] Square.
Image:Thessaloniki night building.jpg|The Institute of Macedonian Studies in central Thessaloniki.
Image:Makedonia_Palace_Thessaloniki.jpg|The historic Makedonia Palace is amomg the city's largest and most luxurious hotels.
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[History of Greece]]
*[[Jews in Greece]]
*[[Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917]]
*[[OASTH]]
==Further reading==
*Apostolos Papagiannopoulos,''Monuments of Thessaloniki'', Rekos Ltd, date unknown.
*Apostolos P. Vacalopoulos, ''A History of Thessaloniki'', Institute for Balkan Studies,1972.
* John R. Melville-Jones, 'Venice and Thessalonica 1423-1430 Vol I, The Venetian Accounts, Vol. II, the Greek Accounts, Unipress, Padova, 2002 and 2006 (the latter work contains English translations of accounts of the events of this period by St Symeon of Thessaloniki and [[John Anagnostes]]).
*''Thessaloniki: Tourist guide and street map'', A. Kessopoulos, Malliarēs-Paideia, 1988.
*[[Mark Mazower]], ''Salonica, City of Ghosts: Christians, Muslims and Jews, 1430-1950'', 2004, ISBN 0-375-41298-0.
*''Thessaloniki City Guide'', Axon Publications, 2002.
*James C. Skedros, ''Saint Demetrios of Thessaloniki: Civic Patron and Divine Protector, 4th-7Th Centuries'' (Harvard Theological Studies), Trinity Press International (1999).
*Vilma Hastaoglou-Martinidis (ed.), ''Restructuring the City: International Urban Design Competitions for Thessaloniki'', Andreas Papadakis, 1999.
* Matthieu Ghilardi, Dynamiques spatiales et reconstitutions paléogéographiques de la plaine de Thessalonique (Grèce) à l'Holocène récent, 2007. Thèse de Doctorat de l'Université de Paris 12 Val-de-Marne, 475 p.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons}}
===Government===
*[http://www.thessalonikicity.gr Municipality of Thessaloniki]
*[http://www.thpa.gr/ Thessaloniki Port Authority]
*[http://www.oasth.gr ΟΑΣΘ - Organisation of Urban Transport of Thessaloniki] (Greek & English)
*[http://www.minpress.gr/minpress/en/index/currevents/currevents-publications.htm Thessaloniki - Photo Archive Documents 1900-1980]
===Cultural===
*[http://www.filmfestival.gr/ Thessaloniki Film Festival]
*[http://lahana.org/blog/Thessaloniki%20postcard.htm Thessaloniki - Old postcards]
*[http://www.saloniki.org/ Thessaloniki Info & Links]
{{Thessaloniki}}
{{European Capital of Culture}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Greece}}
{{Prefectural capitals of Greece}}
{{Capitals of Peripheries of Greece}}
{{Second Journey of Paul of Tarsus}}
<!--[[Category:Mediterranean]] covered via Category:Port cities in Greece-->
[[Category:Thessaloniki]]
[[Category:Coastal cities]]
[[Category:Port cities in Greece]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]
[[Category:Greek regional capitals]]
[[Category:Prefecture of Thessaloniki]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Greece]]
[[Category:Tourism in Greece]]
[[Category:Pauline churches]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Greece|Thessaloniki, Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments]]
[[Category:310s BC establishments]]
[[Category:Settlements established in the 4th century BC]]
[[Category:Historic Jewish communities]]
{{Link FA|mk}}
[[ar:سالونيك]]
[[roa-rup:Sãrunã]]
[[be:Горад Фесалонікі]]
[[bs:Solun]]
[[bg:Солун]]
[[ca:Tessalònica]]
[[cs:Soluň]]
[[cy:Thessaloníci]]
[[da:Thessaloniki]]
[[de:Thessaloniki]]
[[et:Thessaloníki]]
[[el:Θεσσαλονίκη]]
[[es:Salónica]]
[[eo:Tesaloniko]]
[[fr:Thessalonique]]
[[gl:Tesalónica - Θεσσαλονίκη]]
[[hak:Thiap-sat-lò-nì-kâ]]
[[ko:테살로니키]]
[[hr:Solun]]
[[id:Thessaloniki]]
[[is:Þessaloniki]]
[[it:Salonicco]]
[[he:סלוניקי]]
[[ku:Selanik]]
[[lad:Selanik]]
[[la:Thessalonica]]
[[lv:Saloniki]]
[[lt:Salonikai]]
[[hu:Theszaloníki]]
[[mk:Солун]]
[[nl:Thessaloniki (stad)]]
[[ja:テッサロニキ]]
[[no:Thessaloniki]]
[[nn:Thessaloníki]]
[[nds:Thessaloniki]]
[[pl:Saloniki]]
[[pt:Salónica]]
[[ro:Salonic]]
[[ru:Салоники]]
[[scn:Saluniccu]]
[[simple:Thessaloniki]]
[[sk:Solún]]
[[cu:Ѳессалонїка]]
[[sr:Солун]]
[[sh:Solun]]
[[fi:Thessaloniki]]
[[sv:Thessaloniki]]
[[tl:Thessaloníki]]
[[tr:Selanik]]
[[uk:Салоніки]]
[[vo:Thessaloniki]]
[[yo:Thessaloniki]]
[[zh:塞萨洛尼基]]