Alexandroupolis

Alexandroupolis Αλεξανδρούπολη
Municipality
The lighthouse at the promenade, a symbol of Alexandroupolis
Alexandroupolis Location within the region
Coordinates: 40°51′N 25°52′E / 40.850°N 25.867°E / 40.850; 25.867
Country	Greece
Geographic region	Thrace
Administrative region	East Macedonia and Thrace
Regional unit	Evros
Government
• Mayor	Ioannis Zampoukis[1] (since 2019)
Area
• Municipality	1,217.0 km2 (469.9 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	642.2 km2 (248.0 sq mi)
Highest elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2021)[2]
• Municipality	71,751
• Density	59/km2 (150/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	62,936
• Municipal unit density	98/km2 (250/sq mi)
• Community	59,723
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	681 00
Area code(s)	25510
Vehicle registration	ΕΒ
Website	www.alexpolis.gr

Alexandroupolis (Greek: Αλεξανδρούπολη, pronounced [aleksanˈðrupoli]) or Alexandroupoli is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Greek Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with a population of 71,751,^[3] and is an important port and commercial center for northeastern Greece.^[4]

The city, was first settled by the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century and grew into a fishing village. In 1873, it became a kaza and one year later was promoted to a sanjak. The city developed into a regional trading center. Later, it became a part of Adrianople Vilayet. During the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), Dedeağaç was briefly captured by the Russians. Ottoman rule ended with the First Balkan War, when the city was captured by Bulgaria in 1912. In the Second Balkan War, Greece took control of the city. With the Treaty of Bucharest (10 August 1913), the city returned back to Bulgaria.

With the defeat of Bulgaria in World War I, the city came under Greek control for the second time. In 1920, the city was renamed to honour the King of Greece, Alexander. With the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, Alexandroupolis became an official part of Greece.

The modern city is near the site of ancient Sale,^[5] a colony of Samothrace.^[6] Alexandroupolis, as well as the whole area from the Evros Delta to Lake Vistonida and the foothills of Rhodope Mountains, was inhabited by Cicones, a Thracian people with whom, according to mythology, Odysseus and his comrades clashed on their return from Troy.^[7]

Alexandroupolis benefits from its position at the centre of land and sea routes connecting Greece with Turkey.^[8] Landmarks in Alexandroupolis include the lighthouse in the port, the archaeological sites of the Mesimvria Zone, the city's waterfront (the centre of commercial activity), the Ethnological Museum of Thrace, the thermal springs (Hana) of Traianoupoli, the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus and the nearby Evros delta.^[8]

Alexandroupolis has developed into a strategic port for both Greece and NATO in 2022, complementing the port of Souda in southern Greece.^[9]