Kozani
Kozani (Κοζάνη) is one of the fifty-one prefectures of Greece. It is within the West Macedonia periphery. Its capital is a city of the same name. The capital is set 710 meters above ground.
Kozani has been a prosperous area in the course of its history. Its merchants are once known to have dominated the commerce of the Balkan peninsula, expanding their trade activities to the north and along the Danube.
Kozani nowadays is still among the most prosperous areas of the Greek province, but for a different reason, its rich mining industry. Kozani produces lignite, which is the main source of the electric power produced in Greece, nitrous salts which are processed into fertilizers, and chromium. There was also an asbestos mine that remained operational until the mid-1990s, which has now ceased its operation.
In the prefecture of Kozani there is also the artificial lake and hydroelectric dam of Polyfytos, which further contributes to the electricity production of Greece.
The region's vast industrial advancement in a short period of time has raised environmentalist concerns.
Kozani is the home the Technological Educational Institute of West Macedonia and the independent department of Energy Management of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
One of the more important aspects of local folklore is Kozani's carnival, which retains much of the profanity of the ancient Dionysiac cult.
Kozani's museum of folklore and natural history is a place worth visiting.
External links
- Prefecture of Kozani (http://www.kozani.gr)