Western Thrace

A geographical and historical region between the Nestos and Maritsa rivers in northeastern Greece. The approximate area of Western Thrace is 8,578 km².

Geographically, it is bounded by the Nestos River in the west, the Maritsa River in the east, the Aegean Sea in the south, and the Rhodope mountain range in the north.

The terrain of Thrace is characterized by long mountain ranges, coastal plains, and large rivers crossing the region. The largest rivers are the Nestos and Maritsa, which rise in Bulgaria, pass through Greece, and form deltas before flowing into the Aegean. The most important lake is Lake Vistonida, located on the border of the Xanthi and Rhodope prefectures. Its coasts are uninterrupted, smooth, sandy, and mostly suitable for swimming. The only island in the region is Samothrace.

The climate differs from the rest of Greece. In winter, due to northern and northwestern winds, temperatures drop significantly in mountainous areas. Rainfall is twice as much as in the plains, snow is more abundant, and does not melt until mid-spring. In the coastal areas, the climate is clearly milder, typically Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and rainy winters. On the high peaks of the big mountains, and especially the border mountains, the climate is severe/continental, with heavy snowfall in winter and cool, sudden showers in summer being quite common.