Thrace is a historically rich region located in Southeastern Europe, covering the territories of southern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece, and the European part of Turkey.
Thrace / Θράκη / Тракия
The Thrace region, which roughly corresponds to the Roman province of Thracia, is surrounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Sea to the east. It has been home to ancient Thracians and has influenced the surrounding cultures. The term 'Thrace' derives from the Ancient Greek word Thraike (Θρᾴκη), meaning 'land of the Thracians'.
The lands of Thrace are divided into three parts: Turkish Thrace (Eastern Thrace / Rumelia), Bulgarian Thrace (Northern Thrace), and Greek Thrace (Western Thrace).
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Turkish Thrace (Eastern Thrace / Rumelia)
This is the European part of Turkey. It includes Istanbul, the largest city in Europe, as well as the strategic waterways of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.
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Bulgarian Thrace (Northern Thrace)
This is the part of Thrace located in Bulgaria. It historically corresponded to the region of Eastern Rumelia, an autonomous province established after the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). It lies south of the Balkan Mountains and between the Mesta River and the Black Sea, with a significant Turkish minority population.
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Greek Thrace (Western Thrace)
This is the part of Thrace that belongs to Greece. It has a significant Turkish minority and is located between the Evros River to the east and the Mesta River to the west. The northern part of the Aegean Sea in this region is sometimes referred to as the Thracian Sea.
