Drama, Greece

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Categories: Cities and towns in Greece | Greek prefectural capitals | Drama Prefecture

Drama (Δράμα)
Image:Waters of Agia Varvara.JPG Springs of Agia Varvara

Location
Image:Greece prefectures map dark.PNG
Coordinates	41°9′N 24°8′E / 41.15, 24.133Coordinates: 41°9′N 24°8′E / 41.15, 24.133
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center):	115 m (377 ft)
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	East Macedonia and Thrace
Prefecture:	Drama
Districts:	13
Population statistics (as of 2001^[1])
City Proper
- Population:	55,632
- Area:^[2]	488.830 km² (189 sq mi)
- Density:	114 /km² (295 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal codes:	661 00
Area codes:	25210
License plate codes:	ΡΜ

Drama (Greek: Δράμα) is a town and municipality in northeastern Greece. Drama is the capital of the prefecture of Drama which is part of the East Macedonia and Thrace periphery. The town (pop. 42,501 in 2001) is the economic center of the municipality (pop. 55,632), which in turn comprises 53.5 percent of the prefecture's population, the highest percentage in Greece. The next largest towns in the municipality are Choristí (pop. 2,625), Χiropótamos (2,601), Kalós Agrós (1,216), Kallífytos (1,083), and Koudoúnia (885). The municipality is the 12th-largest in Greece at 488.830 km², although it is only the third-largest in Drama Prefecture (following Kato Nevrokopi and Paranesti).

1 History
2 Economy
3 Municipal districts
- 3.1 Subdivisions
4 Population
5 Sport teams
6 Notable people
7 Photo gallery
8 See also
9 References
10 External links

History

In the Roman era, Drama was known as Dravescus (Δραβήσκος), and was a trade center and military camp on the Roman Via Egnatia. Drama has excellent water resources and may well owe its name to Hydrama (Hydro, Greek: having to do with water) a town which it is believed stood on the same site in ancient times.

Economy

In the recent past the economy of the Drama area relied heavily on the local paper and textile-clothing industries. However, these industries have either closed down or moved across the border to Bulgaria [1], with a devastating impact on the local economy and employment. Other sources of revenue include agriculture, consisting mainly of tobacco plantations, small-scale mining (particularly of marble) and forestry. Recently, there have been efforts to exploit the rich local natural environment and to develop ecotourism.

There is a modern ski resort on Mount Falakro. Drama also hosts an annual short film festival [2].

Municipal districts

There is a street named Armen, named after Armen Kouptsios a hero of the Macedonian struggle (1904-1908), who came from Volakas (a village to the north of Drama). The nearby village of Monastiraki was visited by a new journey show Exodus which has recently premiered on ERT and ERT Sat.

Subdivisions

Ampelakia (Αμπελάκια) [2001 pop: 335]
Nea Sevasteia (Νέα Σεβάστεια) [2001 pop: 480]
Taxiarches (Ταξιάρχαι) [2001 pop: 169]
Nea Amissos (Νέα Αμισσός) [aprox pop: 1000]

Population

Year	Population	Change	Municipal district population	Percent of the municipality	Municipal population	Change	Percent of the prefecture
1981	37,118	-	-	-	-	-	-
1991	37,604	486/1.39%	-	-	47,925	-	-
2001	42,501	4,897/13.02%	43,485	78.16%	55,632	7,707/16.08%	53.51%

Sport teams

Doxa Dramas - football team
Pandramaikos FC - football team
KAOD - Basketball team
PAOP Neas Amissou - football team

Notable people

Basilis C. Xanthopoulos (1951-1990) Theoretical Physicist
Ioannis Aslanidis (1983-Today) Software Engineer, Gentoo Foundation Member

Photo gallery

Agia Sofia.JPG

Church of Agia Sofia

Byzantine wall.JPG

Part of the town's Byzantine wall

References

^ PDF (875 KB) 2001 Census (Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece (ΕΣΥΕ). www.statistics.gr. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
^ (Greek) Basic Characteristics. Ministry of the Interior. www.ypes.gr. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.