Reception Booklet IFMSA – HelMSIC Exchange Program 2013
ALEXANDROUPOLIS With a population of more than 60.000 people, Alexandroupolis is the capital of the Administrative Regional Unit of Evros. The city was named after King Alexander, who visited the area after its liberation on May 14 th 1920. During the first half of the 19 th century, the population was initially composed of fishermen, but after 1870 it began to grow, especially after the setting of the railroad which connected Thessaloniki with Istanbul. The commercial character of the city was determined by its location. Today, Alexandroupolis is a new city with modern infrastructure, based on a wellstructured urban plan, and has a leading role in the geographical area of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, being the connecting gate between the European countries, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia and the countries around the Black Sea. Having a harbour, an airport and a railroad station, the city has developed itself to one of the major junctions of the European Union. Alexandroupolis is also the seat of the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Primary Level Education, the Faculty of Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Faculty of Preschool-Level Education of the Democritus University of Thrace.
Aerial views of the city of Alexandroupolis
Many hotels and a large camping offer their services to all visitors. A great number of different events, exhibitions, feasts and conferences give to the city a vivid cultural colour, especially during the summer months. The Egnatia Park and the Lighthouse Square (the Lighthouse is the trademark of the city) are the places where most of the events take place. A small number of museums, such as the Ethnological © & ® 2009 – 2013 Hellenic Medical Students’ International Committee
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