Thessaly, Traditional geographic region in northern Greece
Thessaly is a geographic region in northern Greece that stretches from the Pindos Mountains in the west to the coast of the Aegean Sea in the east. The region contains two broad plains separated by a gentle chain of hills that run through its center, enclosing cities like Larissa and Trikala.
The region joined Greece in 1881 through the Convention of Constantinople after centuries under Ottoman rule. Full integration came during the First Balkan War when the last Ottoman-held territories in the north were liberated.
The ancient Thessalians established a three-tier social system, dividing the population into bondsmen, subject peoples, and Thessalian rulers who controlled the territory.
The main cities of Larissa and Trikala serve as starting points for exploring the surrounding plains and mountains, with regular transport connections to Athens and Thessaloniki. Agricultural land dominates the landscape, with grain fields and grazing areas spreading across both plains.
The Vale of Tempe at the northern edge forms a natural passage where the Pineios River breaks through the mountains and flows toward the Aegean. This narrow valley has served as a strategic link between the central plains and the coast since ancient times.
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