About Thessaloniki

The Metropolitan area of Thessaloniki and its neighbouring municipalities has a population of 1.057.825 and it hosts a numerous administrative and public services, as well as numerous socio-economic organisations, industries, manufactures and department stores. It is the home of the Ministry of Macedonia & Thrace, the Region of Central Macedonia and the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. The BALCINET (Balkan Cities Network) has its headquarters in Thessaloniki and it is the network of thirty-two major cities located in eight different Balkan countries (www.balcinet.org).

For the last seven decades, every September, Thessaloniki becomes the world's focal point due to its International Trade Fair. The International Trade Fair is a commercial, economic, political and social event and it is a great promotion and celebration for the city.

Thessaloniki's location is very significant not only for the Pan-European transportation network, including road, air, railway and marine transport, but also internationally.

The main road axis which link in Thessaloniki are:

• The north to south oriented road axis, which connects the cities of Patras (a major port to Italy), Athens and Thessaloniki with Evzoni, the borderline between Greece and FYROM, and it is mostly referred by its acronym: PATHE
• The west to east road axis, known as the Egnatia Motorway, which connects the port of Igoumenitsa (a major port to Italy) to Kipi, the borderline between Greece and Turkey.

In Thessaloniki are also situated:

• The country's second largest International Port
• The country's second largest International Airport
• The city's Railway Station, with domestic and international destinations
• The city's Bus Terminal (KTEL), only to domestic destinations