Thrace

Thrace is a historical and geographical region in Southeast Europe, spanning parts of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. It extends from the Balkan Mountains in the north to the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea in the south and east. In modern terms, Thrace is divided among Bulgaria (Western Thrace), Greece (East Macedonia and Thrace), and Turkey (Eastern Thrace).

Historically, Thrace was home to various Thracian tribes, including the Getae, Odrysians, and Bessi, with the Odrysian Kingdom emerging as an early significant state. The region came under Greek and later Roman influence, was incorporated into the Byzantine Empire, and was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. In the 20th century, border changes following the Balkan Wars and population exchanges reduced Thrace to its current national divisions.

Major urban centers associated with Thrace include Philippi in Greece; Edirne (Adrianople) in Turkey; and Plovdiv and the Western Thrace area of Bulgaria, with Xanthi and Komotini among the Greek towns in the region. The Evros (Maritsa) river forms part of the Greek–Turkish border, and the Thracian Plain covers much of the region’s interior.

Economy in Thrace is diverse, with agriculture (notably grain and tobacco), forestry, and growing light industry, along with cross-border trade and tourism. The region preserves a rich cultural heritage linked to ancient Thracian civilization and to Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. It is known for archaeological sites and traditional folk music and dance, reflecting a long, layered history across three modern nations.