Katerini

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Katerini (Greek: ????????) is a town in Northern Greece, the capital of Pieria prefecture. It lies on the Pierian plane, between Mt. Pierus and Thermaikos Gulf, on an altitude of 14-45 m. The town has a population of 56,576 (according to the 2001 census). It is near the city of Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece, which has been beneficial for Katerini's development over the last years. Katerini is accessed with GR-1/E75 with three interchanges and is accessed with Via Egnatia to the north.

Related Topics:
Greece - Pieria - Prefecture - Mt. Pierus - Thermaikos Gulf - Census - Thessaloniki - GR-1 - E75 - Via Egnatia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A popular tourist destination, Katerini is very close to the sea (6 km.), to several archaeological sites of great interest like 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 very popular during summer.

Related Topics:
Dion - 5th century BC - Venetian - Platamon - Korinos - Paralia - Olympiaki Akti

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The town's name stems from Catherine of Alexandria (Agia Aikaterini), a Greek Orthodox Martyr, who lived in 4th century A. D. It was liberated from the Ottomans on October 16, 1912. During the Nazi régime it was captured by the German army on April 14, 1941 and was liberated three years later.

Related Topics:
Catherine of Alexandria - Orthodox - 4th century - Ottomans - October 16 - 1912 - Nazi - April 14 - 1941

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The current Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited Katerini in February 2004 as part of the campaign tour before the Greek election in March of 2004 and was on a high-tech bus heading to the city square. Thousands of people including in their balconies of their homes participated and saw Karamanlis and cheered for a better government.

Related Topics:
Greek Prime Minister - Costas Karamanlis - February 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~