The MUNICIPALITY OF AMPHIPOLIS
is situated in the south-eastern part of the Serres prefecture, in the region of Central Macedonia.
It extends from Mount Kerdyllia to the foot of Mount Pangaio, while in the south it is washed by Strymonic Bay.
The position and geographical characteristics of the Municipality make it an important junction for the greater region. It is here where Egnatia Road and the large national road axes linking the Serres prefecture with the rest of Greece meet.
It is notable that the Municipality of Amphipolis is the only coastal municipality in the Serres prefecture and the fact that the Strymon river flows into the sea in that area makes it more unique.
"The coin" - Emblem of the municipality of Amphipolis
Amphipolis minted its first silver coins as an autonomous city after 422 BC. An emblem of the Municipality of Amphipolis these coins bore the face of Apollo on one side and on the other a torch inside a square, around which was inscribed AMPHIPOLITEON, AMPHI and more rarely AMPHIPOLITON. The torch is most likely a reference to the nocturnal rituals that took place in honour of Apollo.
It's worth mentioning that AMPHIPOLIS minted a limited quantity of gold coins.
Population - Economy
Four communities and one settlement were joined to create the Municipality of Amphipolis. The settlement is called N. Fyli and up until now it came under the former community of Palaiokomi. The other municipal departments of the Municipality of Amphipolis are Amphipolis, after which it has been named, Mesolakkia, Nea Kerdyllia and Palaiokomi, where the municipality is based.
According to the 1991 census, there are 3004 inhabitants in the municipality.
From the census taken of the former communities comprising it, the population is divided as follows:
- Amphipolis, 230 inhabitants
- Palaikomi - N. Fyli, 1558 inhabitants
- Mesolakkia, 448 inhabitants
- Nea Kerdyllia, 768 inhabitants
52,6% of the population in the Municipality is economically active.
The primary sector is the most important sector of the local economy, with 61,25% of the active population being employed in it. The main agricultural products of the region are the industrial tomato, cotton and beets. Olives, almonds and vineyards are also cultivated. Stock breeding mainly revolves around goats and sheep. There is a significant number of individuals also in the fishing business.
15% of economically active people are employed in the secondary sector, mainly in oil-presses, quarries and marble and concrete industries.
The tertiary sector is the least developed of all, however, it has significant prospects for development thanks to the efforts of the Municipality and the Archaeology Department.
Tourism is increasing in the Municipality mainly due to the significant archaeological excavations being carried out, each day bringing to light more of the wealth and great historical value of the Municipality of Amphipolis.
Development in the municipality
The strategy of the Municipality is co locate, promote and utilise its potential and to re-determine the role that the region plays in the Serres prefecture and in the Region of Central Macedonia.
The main goals and priorities for each goal are:
- To exploit the Municipality's geographical position by completing the port of Amphipolis.
- To promote and rationally utilise the comparative advantages of the region via:
- the fishing resort
- the marina for pleasure boats
- the exploitation of the coastal zone
- the exploitation of the massifs
- the complete promotion of the archaeological park - To effect structural interventions in the production sector of the Municipality also by re-allotting land and completing the irrigation system.
- To upgrade the quality of local products.
- To maintain population numbers.
- To create the conditions for supplementary income.
- To effect the partial differentiation of employment.
- To upgrade and expand the municipal services provided.
greek version