Drama (regional unit)

Drama
Περιφερειακή ενότητα
Δράμας
Regional unit

Municipalities of Drama

Drama within Greece
Coordinates: GR 41°15′N 24°10′E / 41.250°N 24.167°E / 41.250; 24.167Coordinates: GR 41°15′N 24°10′E / 41.250°N 24.167°E / 41.250; 24.167
Country Greece
Region East Macedonia and Thrace
Capital Drama
Area
 • Total 3,468 km2 (1,339 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 98,287
 • Density 28/km2 (73/sq mi)
Postal codes 66x xx
Area codes 252x0
ISO 3166 code GR-52
Car plates ΡΜ
Website www.drama.gr

Drama (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Δράμας) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace. Its capital is the town of Drama. The regional unit is the northernmost within the geographical region of Macedonia and the westernmost in the administrative region of East Macedonia and Thrace. The northern border with Bulgaria is formed by the Rhodope Mountains.

Geography

The northern part of the regional unit, bordering Bulgaria, is very mountainous. The main mountain ranges are Orvilos (Bulgarian: Славянка - Slavyanka) in the northwest, Falakro in the north (at 2232m the highest point of the regional unit), the western Rhodope Mountains in the northeast (including mounts Frakto, Elatia, Koula etc.) and Menoikio in the southwest. The Nestos is the longest river, flowing in the northeast. The northern portion holds a unique treasure known as Karantere (or Forest of Elatia).

Drama is surrounded by the regional units of Xanthi to the east, Kavala to the south, Serres to the southwest and to the west, and the Bulgarian provinces of Blagoevgrad and Smolyan to the north. Arable lands are located in the southern and the westcentral portion of Drama.

The southern part mainly has a Mediterranean climate. The climate is more continental with cold winters in higher elevations and in the northern part.

Administration

The Drama regional unit is subdivided into 5 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):[1]

Prefecture

As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the former Drama Prefecture (Greek: Νομός Δράμας) was transformed into a regional unit within the East Macedonia and Thrace region. The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.[1]

New municipality Old municipalities Seat
Doxato Doxato Kalampaki
Kalampaki
Drama Drama Drama
Sidironero
Kato Nevrokopi Kato Nevrokopi Kato Nevrokopi
Paranesti Paranesti Paranesti
Nikiforos
Prosotsani Prosotsani Prosotsani
Sitagroi

Transport

The main roads of Drama regional unit are Greek National Road 12 (Thessaloniki - Serres - Drama - Kavala), Greek National Road 14 (Drama - Xanthi) and Greek National Road 57 (Drama - Kato Nevrokopi - Bulgaria). The Thessaloniki–Svilengrad railway passes through Drama and Paranesti.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Kallikratis reform law text" (PDF).
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