Katerini
| Katerini Κατερίνη |
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 Katerini's Town Hall |
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| Location | |
 Katerini
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| Coordinates | 40°16′N 22°30′E / 40.267°N 22.5°ECoordinates: 40°16′N 22°30′E / 40.267°N 22.5°E |
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Location within the region
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| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Region: | Central Macedonia |
| Regional unit: | Pieria |
| Mayor: | Savvas Chionidis |
| Population statistics (as of 2001[1]) | |
| Municipality | |
| - Population: | 83,387 |
| - Area: | 682.4 km2 (263 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 122 /km2 (316 /sq mi) |
| Municipal unit | |
| - Population: | 57,098 |
| - Area: | 93.7 km2 (36 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 609 /km2 (1,578 /sq mi) |
| Community | |
| - Population: | 53,418 |
| Other | |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
| Elevation (center): | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Postal: | 601 00 |
| Telephone: | 23510 |
| Auto: | KN |
| Website | |
| www.katerini.gr | |
Katerini (Greek: Κατερίνη, former name: Αικατερίνη - Aikaterini; "Catherine") is a town in Central Macedonia, Greece, the capital of Pieria regional unit. It lies on the Pierian plain, between Mt. Olympus and the Thermaikos Gulf, at an altitude of 14 m. The town, which is one of the newest in Greece, has a population of 83,764 (according to the 2001 census). It is near the city of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, which has been beneficial for Katerini's development over recent years. Katerini is accessible from the main Thessaloniki–Athens highway GR-1/E75 (with two interchanges near the town) and the Egnatia Odos to the north. It is served by both Intercity and local trains on the main railway line from Athens to Thessaloniki and there is a comprehensive regional and national bus service with its hub in the town.
A popular tourist destination, Katerini is close to the sea (6 km) and to several archaeological sites of great interest such as the ancient city of Dion (5th century BC, 17 km away) and the Venetian Castle of Platamon. The beaches of Korinos, Paralia and Olympiaki Akti (or Katerinoskala) are visited by both Greek and international tourists during the summer. The roots of Mount Olympus and the town of Litochoro, are at a distance of around 20 kilometres away from the centre of Katerini.
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[edit] Name
The town's name stems from Catherine of Alexandria (Agia Aikaterini; Αγία Αικατερίνη), a Greek Orthodox Martyr who lived in 4th century AD. It was liberated from the Ottomans on 16 October 1912. During the Nazi régime it was captured by the German army on 14 April 1941 and was liberated three years later. Katerini is referenced in the Mikis Theodorakis' song To treno feugei stis okto (The Train Leaves At 8) with lyrics by the poet Manos Eleftheriou. This song still remains popular today.
[edit] Geography
[edit] Municipalities
The municipality Katerini was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[2]
- Elafina, population 5,039
- Katerini, population 57,098
- Korinos, population 6,657
- Paralia, population 6,150
- Petra, population 5,896
- Pierioi, population 2,547
[edit] Politics
[edit] Local Government
The rulling mayor of Katerini is Savvas Chionidis, a member of the Political Committee of New Democracy.[3][4] Chionidis was elected for a second term in the 2010 local elections.[3]
| Results of the 2010 local elections in the Municipality of Katerini |
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[edit] Sports
[edit] Football
Katerini is represented by two football teams in the national leagues; Pierikos, a club currently playing in the Second Division and Vataniakos competing in Football League 2. The women's football club of Pierides Mouses plays in the Women's Second National Division.
[edit] Other Sports
Pierikos Archelaos B.C currenly competes in the A2 League, the second tier of Greek basketball. GAS Archelaos plays in the A2 League the second tier of the Greek handball league system.
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Historical population
| Year | Community population | Municipal unit population | Municipality population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913[5] | 7,393 | - | - |
| 1920[6] | 6,540 | - | - |
| 1928[6] | 10,138 | - | - |
| 1940[6] | 16,938 | - | - |
| 1951[6] | 24,605 | - | - |
| 1961[6] | 28,046 | - | - |
| 1971[6] | 29,046 | - | - |
| 1981[6] | 38,404 | - | - |
| 1991[6] | 42,381 | - | - |
| 2001 [1][6] | 53,418 | 57,098 | 83,387 |
| 2011 [7] | - | - | 86,170 |
[edit] Local communities
Katerini is home to a significant Aromanian population that exceeds 3,000 people.[8] Aromanians of Katerini mainly descend from nearby Aromanian settlements of Livadi and Kokkinopilos, and in lesser numbers from Samarina, Moscopole, Avdella, Perivoli and Smixi.[8] According to some sources the Aromanians formed a majority amongst the town's Christian population in the beggining of the 20th century.[8]
[edit] Religion
Agathonikos, a Greek orthodox Metropolitan of the Church of Greece has his seat in Katerini.[9] The Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas has 16 congregations within the town of Katerini.[9] There is also an Old Calendarist church in the town.[10]
[edit] Immigrants
As of 2001, the Municipal unit of Katerini (then Municipality of Katerini) was home of 2,794 foreign nationals (4.9% of the total population). Amongst them the most populous ethnic group was Albanians (2.5%) followed by Georgians (0.5%), Russians (0.4%) and Bulgarians (0.3%).[11]
[edit] Notable Natives
[edit] Arts
- Dimos Anastasiadis, singer
[edit] Sports
- Lakis Papaioannou, international football player
- Georgios Kostikos, international football player
- Kostas Konstantinidis, international football player
- Thomas Kyparissis, international football player
- Alexandros Tziolis, international football player
- Kyriakos Papadopoulos, international football player
- Stelios Malezas, international football player
- Kostas Koukodimos, long jumper, MP
[edit] International relations
[edit] Twin towns — Sister cities
Katerini is twinned with:
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Μόνιμος πληθυσμός. Νομοί, δήμοι, κοινότητες, δημοτικά και κοινοτικά διαμερίσματα και οικισμοί" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. pp. 258-260. http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/A1602/Other/A1602_SAM01_TB_DC_00_2001_01_F_GR.pdf. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
- ^ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
- ^ a b "Ο Δήμαρχος" (in Greek). Δήμος Κατερίνης (Municipality of Katerini). http://www.katerini.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=55. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Νέα Δημοκρατία: Η Πολιτική Επιτροπή" (in Greek). Νέα Δημοκρατία. http://www.nd.gr/25. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Απαρίθμηση κατά οικισμό των κατοίκων του ελληνικού τμήματος της Μακεδονίας το έτος 1913" (in Greek). Η προσωπική Ιστοσελίδα του Δημήτρη Λιθοξόου. http://lithoksou.net/macedonia_1913.html. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Η ιστορία της Κατερίνης" (in Greek). Δήμος Κατερίνης (Municipality of Katerini). http://www.katerini.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=64. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Ανακοίνωση προσωρινών αποτελεσμάτων Απογραφής Πληθυσμού 2011" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. pp. 4. http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/A1602/PressReleases/A1602_SAM01_DT_DC_00_2011_01_F_GR.pdf. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Οι Βλάχοι της Κατερίνης" (in Greek). Βλάχοι.Net. 25 November 2006. http://www.vlahoi.net/popsv-proceedings-of-seminars/162----.html. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Ιερά Μητρόπλις Κίτρους, Κατερίνης και Πλαταμώνος" (in Greek). Ιερά Μητρόπλις Κίτρους, Κατερίνης και Πλαταμώνος. http://www.imkitrous.gr/. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Ιεροί Ναοί Εκκλησίας Γ.Ο.Χ. Ελλάδος" (in Greek). Εκκλησία Γ.Ο.Χ. Ελλάδος. http://www.ecclesiagoc.gr/el/ierwn-nawn. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Αλλοδαποί κατά υπηκοότητα, ομάδες ηλικιών και φύλο, Νομοί,Δήμοι / Κοινότητες" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. pp. 166-167. http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/A1602/Other/A1602_SAM07_TB_DC_00_2001_12_F_GR.pdf. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
[edit] External links
Media related to Katerini at Wikimedia Commons
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