Xanthi

Geographical Conditions and Environment:
The Prefecture of Xanthi is located in the west of the Thrace region, covering an area of 1,793 qkm and is bordered by the sea to the south. The land is entirely mountainous in the North, with its highest peak of Mount Koula at 1,827 m, on the border with the Bulgaria. The valley of Xanthi stretches to the South. The region has two rivers: the large Nestos River on the border of Kavala and the small Xanthos River. Therapeutic springs can be found near the village of Nea Kessani, 20 km from the city of Xanthi. The city of Xanthi, the prefecture's capital, is built on the location of an ancient city, Xantheia. Modern Xanthi is embellished with mansions and tobacco warehouses of neoclassical architecture, as well as with traditional houses lining its narrow alleys.

The city is split into two parts by the Osylinthos River. Stavroupolis, northwest of Xanthi, is nested in lush vegetation in a forested semi-mountainous area with gullies and gorges full of oak trees, chestnut trees and poplars. The Nestos Delta is rich in flora and fauna, wild ducks, cranes and herons. 18 kilometers from Stavroupolis, at Arkoudorema, a large virgin forest with centenarian trees is an example of original native vegetation. Xanthi is a Thracean city, Capital of the Prefecture of Xanthi, located at the foothills of Rodopi mountain chain. South from Xanthi plains spread over 20 km towards the Thracean Sea.

Political Location / Administrative Function:
City of Xanthi is a capital of the Xanthi Prefecture, an administrative and commerce center of the area. Since 1975, Xanthi hosts the Polytechnic School of Democritus University of Thrace. The population of Xanthi and the surrounding communities amounts to 50,000 inhabitants. The city is linked by bus and train with Athens, Thessaloniki and all major cities of Greece. The airport of Chrissoupolis, between Kavala and Xanthi provides the air services to Xanthi.

Historical Development:
The city was first mentioned by Stravon (about 63-21 b.C) as Xanthea, while Ecateus (560-490 b.C) mentioned the people of Xanthons. Xanthi was originally a small village, exposed to all the several invasions, disasters, attacks from the Goths, the Huns, the Bulgarians and the Slavs. The Ottomans came upon the region to find a dwindling population and nearly everything destroyed. They brought over inhabitants from the depths of Asia Minor and created Genisea. Xanthi was the seat of a bishop and later on (in the beginning of the 14th century) of a metropolitan bishop. It was fortified and played a significant role in the history of these violent years. In 1361 Xanthi was occupied by the Turks. During its occupation, the town preserved its significance, having a flourish economy, since it was the center of the agricultural area with the aromatic tobacco. Xanthi became well-known throughout Europe for its tobacco trade. Two major earthquakes in March and April of 1829 were to have a lasting effect on the town which was destroyed. Rebuilding was undertaken immediately. From 1860 the Municipal Council of Xanthi was developed. In 1870 Genisea was burnt down and all official buildings were transferred to Xanthi which, by then, had a population of 10,000. In 1891 the railway was built near the town and economic development led to the building of schools and the establishing of associations.
In 1912 the town was taken over by the Bulgarians, within eight months was set free by the Greek Army only to be recaptured by the Bulgarian army. The treaty of Bucharest adjudged it to Bulgaria but it became Greek again after the 1st World War. During the 2nd World War it was occupied by Germany and later by the Bulgarian troops till 1944.

Economical System

Economical Structure: services, trade, administration, small industry
Predominant Business: services, trade
Transportation System: well developed
Economical Trend: services
Unemployment: 8.5 – 9,0 %
Job Opportunities: construction industry, seasonal agriculture and sugar industry (general de-industrialization trend, paper and textile production has been moved abroad to neighbouring countries i.e. Bulgaria)
Typical Product: tobacco, sugar
Informal Activities: demand for constructive work/buildings, short term profit orientation, migration of population from villages to the town; semi-private companies with public funds (job hunters and unemployment agencies)
Estate Market: well developed, high demand for building ground