Ptolemaida
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Ptolemaida Πτολεμαΐδα |
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Aerial view of Ptolemaida
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 Ptolemaida
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Location within the regional unit
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| Coordinates: 40°31′N 21°41′E / 40.517°N 21.683°ECoordinates: 40°31′N 21°41′E / 40.517°N 21.683°E | ||
| Country | Greece | |
| Administrative region | West Macedonia | |
| Regional unit | Kozani | |
| Municipality | Eordaia | |
| • Municipal unit | 217.901 km2 (84.132 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 600 m (2,000 ft) | |
| Population (2011) | ||
| • Municipal unit | 37,289 | |
| • Municipal unit density | 170/km2 (440/sq mi) | |
| Community | ||
| • Population | 32,142 (2011) | |
| • Area (km2) | 57.508 | |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | |
| Postal code | 502 00 | |
| Area code(s) | 24630 | |
| Vehicle registration | KZ | |
| Website | www.ptolemaida.gr | |
Ptolemaida (Greek: Πτολεμαΐδα, Ptolemaïda, Katharevousa: Πτολεμαΐς, Ptolemaïs, before 1927: Καϊλάρια - Kailaria) is a town and a former municipality in Kozani regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Eordaia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is known for its coal (lignite) mines and its power stations.
During the Ottoman period, the city was named Kaylar, rendered into English as Kailar; this name was retained in Greek as Kailaria (Καϊλάρια) until 1927. Kailar refers to the Kayı tribe, the tribe of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. The modern name Ptolemaida was introduced by decree on January 20, 1927, honoring Ptolemy son of Lagus, a comrade-in-arms of Alexander the Great, and his daughter Ptolemaïs, who are said to be originating from that region. His statue stands in the central square of the city.
According to archaeologists, the Ptolemaida region has been occupied since 6000 BC.
Archaeologists, in November 2005, discovered the remains of two farming villages dating back to the Neolithic period. A press report notes that such farming villages were trading centres and had a "developed knowledge of metalworking".
A golden necklace dating to roughly 4500 BC was discovered on February 16, 2006.Associated Press reporter Costas Kantouris describes the item as a "flat, roughly ring-shaped [which] probably had religious significance and would have been worn on a necklace by a prominent member of society."
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Wikipedia