ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Western Thrace

Western Thrace is a geographical region located in northern Greece. It is also known as Greek Thrace or Eastern Thrace, which represents the European part of Turkey, and Northern Thrace, which is part of Bulgaria.

The region's territory overlooks the Aegean Sea and is bordered to the west by the Mesta River, separating it from Greek Macedonia, to the east by the Evros River, which separates it from Turkish Thrace, and to the north by the Rhodopi Mountains, which separate it from Bulgarian Thrace.

Historically, Western Thrace was part of the Byzantine themes of Thracia and Macedonia, and served as a center for medieval Greek culture and trade, benefiting from its proximity to the imperial capital Constantinople. In 1357, the region was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, marking the birth of the modern Muslim minority in Greece.

Today, Western Thrace is part of the Greek administrative region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The region includes three Greek administrative districts: Evros, Xanthi, and Rhodope, as well as the Aegean island of Samothrace, which belongs to Nom Evros. The approximate area of Western Thrace is 8,578 km², with a population of approximately 63,774 (2001). Komotini (Gumurjina) is the largest city in the district.

The region has a rich history dating back to ancient times. In Homer's Epic, the Thracian tribes are mentioned as participating in the Trojan War. The Kicons created a powerful kingdom in these lands. In the 7th century BC, Thrace was inhabited by various tribes, including the Thracians and the Romans.

During the Archaic and Classical periods, Ancient Greeks extensively colonized the region, establishing prosperous cities such as Sale, Maroneia, and Abdera. These cities were home to notable figures like Democritus, who developed an atomic particle theory, and Protagoras, a leading sophist. Thracian soldiers also played a significant role in Persian armies, with their images depicted in carvings of the Persepolis.

The region's unique geography alternates between mountainous enclosed basins and deep cut river valleys. The Rhodopi Mountains, which separate Western Thrace from Bulgarian Thrace, are home to one of the two remaining populations of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in