Xanthi Prefecture

Xanthi (Ξάνθη, Xánthi, ; Turkish: İskeçe ) is one of the prefectures of Greece. It is within the East Macedonia and Thrace periphery. Xanthi has no or only one province. The capital of the prefecture is also called Xanthi. Xanthi is the smallest prefecture in area and population in all of Thrace and is the westernmost.

Xanthi borders Bulgaria along the Rhodope Mountains to the north, and the Aegean Sea to the south. The prefecture of Kavala lies to the west, Drama to the northwest and Rhodope to the east. The mountains of Koula lie to the east and the Papingio to the northeast.

Of special interest in the Xanthi prefecture are the Byzantine castle around the old town of Xanthi and the subterranean Macedonian tombs in Komnina from the 2nd century BC. During the 19th century, local tobacco production and commerce developed rapidly. The manors of the old city, many of which are still intact, testify to the prosperity of the tobacco merchants of Xanthi during this period.

Climate
The areas that mainly get Mediterranean climate is at the southern and the central portion. Its climate is mainly continental with cold winters in higher elevations and the northern part.

Transport

 * GR-2/E90, Via Egnatia, old and new, SW, Cen., S, SE
 * GR-12/E90, W, Cen.
 * GR-55

Archaeological sites

 * Abdera