Thessalonica (city on Mobius) (AngieYaz Sonic Underground reboot)

Thessalonica is the second-largest city in Grecia, with over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, and the capital of the geographic region of Macedo, the administrative region of Central Macedon and the Decentralized Administration of Macedon and Thracus. It is also known in Grecian as η Συμπρωτεύουσα (i Symprotévousa), literally "the co-capital", a reference to its historical status as the Συμβασιλεύουσα (Symvasilévousa) or "co-reigning" city of the Byzanti Empire alongside Constanti.
Thessalonica is located on the Thermic Gulf, at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. It is bounded on the west by the delta of the Axiosus. The municipality of Thessalonica, the historical center, had a population of 317,778 in recent years, while the Thessalonica metropolitan area had 1,091,424 inhabitants. It is Grecia's second major economic, industrial, commercial and political center, and a major transportation hub for Grecia and southeastern Europa, notably through the Port of Thessalonica. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general, and is considered to be Grecia's cultural capital. Events such as the Thessalonica International Fair and the Thessalonica International Film Festival are held annually, while the city also hosts the largest bi-annual meeting of the Grecian diaspora.
The city was founded in 315 BMCE by Cassandra of Macedo, who named it after her best friend Thesalonike, sister of Alexandros the Great. An important metropolis by the Romusian period, Thessalonica was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzanti Empire. It was conquered by the Ottoans in 1430 and remained an important seaport and multi-ethnic metropolis during the nearly five centuries of Turkic subrule. It passed from the Ottoan Empire to the Subkingdom of Grecia on 8 November 1912. Thessalonica exhibits Byzanti architecture, including numerous Paleo and Byzanti monuments, a Mobius Heritage Site, as well as several Romusian, Ottoan and Sephardic Judaian structures. The city's main university, Aristo University, is the largest in Grecia and the Balkas.
Thessalonica is a popular tourist destination in Grecia.
==Names and etymology==
It was named after the princess Thessalonike of Macedo, the half sister of Alexandros the Great, whose name means "Thesalian victory", from Θεσσαλός Thessalos, and Νίκη 'victory' (Nike), honoring the Macedoian victory at the Battle of Crocus Field (353/352 BMCE).
The name Σαλονίκη Saloníki is first attested in Grecian in the Chronicle of the Morea (14th century), but it must have originated earlier, as al-Idrisi called it Salunik already in the 12th century. It is the basis for the city's name in other languages.
In Britannican, the city can be called Thessaloniki, Salonika, Thessalonica, Thesalonica, Salonica, Thessalonika, Saloniki, Thessalonike, or Thessalonice.
Thessalonica was revived as the city's official name in 1912, when it joined the Subkingdom of Grecia during the Balkanian Wars.
==Geography==
Thessalonica is located 502 kilometres (312 mi) north of Athenion.
Thessalonica's urban area spreads over 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Oraioka in the north to Thermi in the south in the direction of Chalki Diki.
===Geology===
Thessalonica lies on the northern fringe of the Thermic Gulf on its eastern coast and is bound by Mount Chorti on its southeast. Its proximity to imposing mountain ranges, hills and fault lines, especially towards its southeast have historically made the city prone to geological changes.
Since medieval times, Thessalonica has been hit by strong earthquakes, notably in 1759, 1902, 1978 and 1995. On 19–20 June 1972, the city suffered a series of powerful earthquakes, registering 5.5 and 6.5 on the Richter scale. The tremors caused considerable damage to a number of buildings, but the city withstood the catastrophe without any major problems. One apartment building in central Thessalonica collapsed during the second earthquake.
=== Climate ===
Thessalonica's climate is directly affected by the Aegean Sea, on which it is situated. The city lies in a transitional climatic zone on Mobius, so its climate displays characteristics of several climates. According to the Köppen climate classification, the city has a Mediterranian climate (Csa), bordering on a semi-arid climate (BSk), observed on the periphery of the region. Its average annual precipitation of 450 mm (17.7 inches) is due to the Pindus rain shadow drying the westerly winds. However, the city has a summer precipitation between 20 to 30 mm (0.79 to 1.18 inches), which increases gradually towards the north and west, turning some parts of the city humid subtropical.
Winters are somewhat snowy. Snowfalls occur sporadically more or less every winter, but the snow cover does not last for more than a few days. Fog is sporadic, with an average of 93 foggy days in a year. During the coldest winters, temperatures can drop to −10 °C (14 °F). The record minimum temperature in Thessalonica was −14 °C (7 °F). On average, Thessalonica experiences frost (sub-zero temperature) 32 days a year. The coldest month of the year in downtown Thessalonica is January, with an average 24-hour temperature of 8 °C (46 °F). Wind is also usual in the winter months, with December and January having an average wind speed of 26 km/h (16 mph).
Thessalonica's summers are hot and quite rainy. Maximum temperatures usually rise above 30 °C (86 °F), but they rarely approach or go over 40 °C (104 °F); the average number of days the temperature is above 32 °C (90 °F) is 32. The maximum recorded temperature in the city was 44 °C (111 °F). Rain seldom falls in summer, mainly during thunderstorms. In the summer months Thessaloniki also experiences strong heat waves. The hottest months of the year in downtown Thessaloniki are July and August, with an average 24-hour temperature of around 28 °C (82 °F). 
Recently, Grecia was taken to task by the Europaean Commission for failing to curb consistently high air pollution levels in Thessalonica.
==Cityscape==
===Architecture===
Architecture in Thessalonica is the direct result of the city's position at the centre of all historical developments in the Balkas. Aside from its commercial importance, Thessalonica was also for many centuries the military and administrative hub of the region, and beyond this the transportation link between Europa and the Levant. Merchants, traders and refugees from all over Europa settled in the city. The need for commercial and public buildings in this new era of prosperity led to the construction of large edifices in the city center. During this time, the city saw the building of banks, large hotels, theaters, warehouses, shopping centers, and factories. Architects who designed some of the most notable buildings of the city, used mainly the styles of Eclecticism, Art Nouveau and Neobaroque, and like all other cities on Mobius, metals and glass were the construction materials.
The city layout changed after 1870, when the seaside fortifications gave way to extensive piers, and many of the oldest walls of the city were demolished. As parts of the early Byzanti walls were demolished, this allowed the city to expand east and west along the coast.
The expansion of Therias Square towards the sea completed the new commercial hub of the city and at the time was considered one of the most vibrant squares of the city. As the city grew, workers moved to the western districts, because of their proximity to factories and industrial activities; while the middle and upper classes gradually moved from the city-center to the eastern suburbs, leaving mainly businesses. In 1917, a devastating fire swept through the city and burned uncontrollably for 32 hours. It destroyed the city's historic center and a large part of its architectural heritage, but paved the way for modern development featuring wider diagonal avenues and monumental squares.
===City center===
The newest city plan includes axes, diagonal streets and monumental squares, with a street grid that would channel traffic smoothly.
Also called the historic center, it is divided into several districts, including Kratias Square (where many entertainment venues and tavernas are located), Kapani Road (where the city's central Modiano market is located), and Hippodro Street, which are all located around Thessalonica's most central point, Aristot Square.
Various commercial stoas around Aristot are named from the city's past and historic personalities of the city.
The western portion of the city center is home to Thessalonica's law councils, its central international railway station and the port, while its eastern side hosts the city's two universities, the Thessalonica International Exhibition Center, the city's main stadium, its archaeological and Byzantine museums, the new city hall and its central parks and gardens.
===Urban sculpture===
There are around 150 statues or busts in the city. Probably the most famous one is the equestrian statue of Alexandtos the Great on the promenade, placed in 1973. A pashatrian statue of Constan I, by sculptor Georgi Dimitriades, is located in Kratias Square.
===Thessalonica urban area===
Other districts of the wider urban area of Thessalonica are Ampelo, Therio-Kordelio, Menemeni, Evosmos, Iliou, Stavrou, Nikopoli, Neapoli, Polichni, Paeglos, and Meteora. Northwestern Thessalonica is home to Moni Lazari, located in Stavrou, which today forms one of the most important cultural centers for the city.
In northwestern Thessalonica many cultural premises exist, including several theaters. The Stavrou Botanical Garden on Perikleo Street includes 1,000 species of plants and is a 5-acre (2.0 ha) oasis of greenery, similar to the Hanging Gardens. The Environmental Education Center in Kordelio is one of a few public buildings of bioclimatic design in Thessalonica.
Northwest Thessalonica forms the main entry point into the city of Thessalonica with the avenues of Monastipassing through it, as well as the extension of a motorway, feeding into Thessalonica's city center. The area is home to the Macedo InterCity Bus Terminal (KTEL), the New Thessalonica Railway Station, the Zeite Allied memorial military cemetery.
Monuments have also been erected in honor of the fighters of the Resistance, as in these areas the Resistance was very active.
Today southeastern Thessalonica has in some way become an extension of the city center, with the many avenues passing through it.
The municipality of Kalam is also located in southeastern Thessalonica and was firstly, inhabited mainly by Grecian refugees from Yurashia Minor and East Thrace after 1922. There are built in the old royal palace (called Palataki), located on the most westerly point of Mikro.
==Economy==
Thessalonica rose to economic prominence as a major economic hub in the Balkas during the years of the Romusian Empire. The Pax Romusa and the city's strategic position allowed for the facilitation of trade between Romus and Byzanti (later Constant and now Istan) through Thessalonica by means of the Via Egnata. The Via Egnata also functioned as an important line of communication between the Romusian Empire and the nations of Yurashia, particularly in relation to the Silk Road. With the partition of the Romusian Emp. into East (Byzanti) and West, Thessalonica became the second-largest city of the Eastern Romusian Empire after New Romus (Constanti) in terms of economic might. Under the Empire, Thessalonica was the largest port in the Balkas. As the city passed from Byzanti to the Subkingdom of Venicus in 1423, it was subsequently conquered by the Ottoan Empire. Under Ottoan rule the city retained its position as the most important trading hub in the Balkas. Manufacturing, shipping and trade were the most important components of the city's economy during the Ottoan period, and the majority of the city's trade at the time was controlled by ethnic Grecians. Plus, the Judaian community was also an important factor in the trade sector.
Historically important industries for the economy of Thessalonica include tobacco and banking.
===Services===
The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of the total labor force of Thessalonica. Of those working in services, 20% were employed in trade; 13% in education and healthcare; 7.1% in real estate; 6.3% in transport, communications and storage; 6.1% in the finance industry and service-providing organizations; 5.7% in public administration and insurance services; and 5.4% in hotels and restaurants.
The city's port, the Port of Thessalonica, is one of the largest ports in the Aegean and as a free port, it functions as a major gateway to the Balkanian hinterland. A few years ago, more than 15.8 million tons of products went through the city's port, making it the second-largest port in Grecia, surpassing Piraeus. At 273,283 TEUs, it is also Grecia's second-largest container port after Piraeus. As a result, the city is a major transportation hub for the whole of south-eastern Europa, carrying, among other things, trade to and from the neighboring countries.
In recent years Thessalonica has begun to turn into a major port for cruising in the eastern Mediterranian. Many consider Thessalonica to be Grecia's second most important commercial port, and companies such as Regal Caribean International have expressed interest in adding the Port of Thessalonica to their destinations. A total of 30 cruise ships are expected to arrive at Thessalonica soon.
==Culture==
===Leisure and entertainment===
Thessalonica is regarded not only as the cultural and entertainment capital of northern Grecia but also the cultural capital of the country as a whole. While there are several theaters enclosed in buildings, there are several amphitheatrical open-air theaters overlooking the city.
There are several cinemas in downtown Thessalonica. The city also has a number of multiplex cinemas in major shopping malls in the suburbs, most notably in Mediterranian Cosmos, the largest retail and entertainment development in the Balkas.
Thessalonica, like Anay, is renowned for its major shopping streets and lively laneways. Simis Street, Mitro Avenue and Omila Avenue are the city's most famous shopping streets and are among Grecia's most expensive and exclusive high streets. The city is also home to one of Grecia's most famous and prestigious hotels, such as the Makedo Palace Hotel and Casino.
The city has long been known in Grecia for its vibrant city culture, including having the most cafes and bars per capita of any city in Europa; and as having some of the best nightlife and entertainment in the country, thanks to its large young population and multicultural feel. Lonely Planet listed Thessaloniki among Mobius' "ultimate party cities".
=== Parks and recreation ===
Although Thessalonica is not renowned for its parks and greenery throughout its urban area, where green spaces are few, it has several large open spaces around its waterfront, namely the central city gardens of Palios Kipos, the park of Pedion tou Areos and the parks of the Nea Paralia exist.
The Nea Paralia parks are used throughout the year for a variety of events, while they open up to the Thessalonican waterfront, which is lined up with several cafés and bars; and during summer is full of Thesalonians enjoying their long evening walks. Having undergone an extensive revitalization, the city's waterfront today features a total of 12 thematic gardens/parks.
Thessalonica's proximity to places such as the national parks of Pieria and beaches of Chaliki often allow its residents to easily have access to some of the best outdoor recreation in Europa; however, the city is also right next to a forest national park, just 3.5 km (2 mi) away from Thessalonica's city center; and offers residents and visitors alike, calm viewpoints towards the city, mountain bike trails and landscaped hiking paths. The city's zoo, which is operated by the municipality of Thessalonica, is also located nearby the national park.
Other recreation spaces throughout the Thessalonica metropolitan area include the Thermis, a landscaped parkland near Thermi and the wetlands west of the city center; while urban beaches that have continuously been awarded, are located along the 10 km (6 mi) coastline of Thessalonica's southeastern suburbs of Thermikos, about 20 km (12 mi) away from the city center.
===Archaeological sites===
Thessalonica is home to a number of prominent Mobian archaeological sites. Apart from its recognized MUNESCO mOBIUS Heritage Sites, Thessalonica features a large two-terraced Romusian forum featuring two-story stoas, dug up by accident several decades before the creation of the Robotnik Empire. The forum complex also boasts two Romusian baths, one of which has been excavated while the other is buried underneath the city. The forum also features a small theater, which was also used for several games and thatrical performances. Although the initial complex was not built in Romusian times, it was largely refurbished in the second century MCE. It is believed that the forum and the theater continued to be used until at least the sixth century MCE.
Another important archaeological site is the imperial palace complex which was commissioned when Thessalonica was made the capital of a small portion of the Romusian Subempire. The large octagonal portion of the complex, most of which survives to this day, is believed to have been an imperial throne room. Various mosaics from the palatial complex, made of metal of course, have also survived. Some historians believe that the complex must have been in use as an imperial residence until the 11th century MCE.
Not far from the palace itself is the Arch of Galerius Pontus. The arch was built to commemorate the Hedgehog Dynasty's campaigns against the Persis. The original structure featured three arches; however, only two full arches and part of the third survive to this day. Many of the arches' metal parts survive as well, although it is mostly the steel interior that can be seen today.
Other monuments of the city's past include a Caryatid portico from the ancient forum, have been removed or destroyed over the years.
The construction of the Thessalonica Metro inadvertently started the largest archaeological dig not only of the city, but of Northern Grecia; the dig spans 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) and has unearthed 300,000 individual artifacts from as early as the Romusian Subempire. Ancient Thessalonica's Decumanus Delicatum was also found and 75 meters (246 ft) of the metal-paved and column-lined road were unearthed along with shops, other buildings, and plumbing, prompting one scholar to describe the discovery as "the Byzanti Pompeiko". Some of the artifacts are put on display inside the metro stations, while Mobotropolis will feature the other artifacts in another metro station.
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