Thessaloniki is the second biggest city of Greece. Undeniably it is a city of incomparable beauty and hospitable people. Thessaloniki has always been a crossroad of cultures, situated in a position where the east meets the west, where big cultures and religions are mixed. Gastronomy, amusement, world quality regions of heritage, markets are certainly some of the things that the visitors can enjoy during their visit.

The city of Thessaloniki is built amphitheatrically around the White Tower and its wide marine horizon leads to the imposing Mount Olympus. The compact size of the city and the proximity of distance between the leading monuments of interest make Thessaloniki an ideal destination.
The population of Thessaloniki is calculated around 789.000 residents (2011).

Since its foundation by Kassandros as a Hellenistic city until the Ottoman sovereignty, the city develops its strategic place and is developed as a multicultural city.

History

Thessaloniki was founded in 315 B.C. by Alexander the Great's general, Kassandros, in order to honor his spouse. Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great,  was built during an era very important for the Greek history, the moment when Hellenism began to expand in the East.

During the 2nd century B.C. the city was conquered by the Roman Empire and became the principal city of the Roman territory of Macedonia. The strategic place of the city emerges firstly, when it was selected as the Empire capital during the years of Emperor Galerius' reign, when the Emperor palace was built. Its importance appeared also later, as Emperor Constantine intended to transport the Roman's Empire capital to the East and Thessaloniki was one of the candidate cities that had been proposed, but in the end Byzantium was selected.

Today, Thessaloniki acquires more and more economic, social and cultural relations with the wider area, particularly due to its vital and strategic position. Also it constitutes a point of report in the Balkan peninsula and constitutes conjunctive ring between Europe and Asia.

Thessaloniki is a member of the Balkan Cities Network (BALCINET), which was founded by the 32 bigger cities of 8 Balkan countries.
Moreover it is a member of the Confederation of European Organizations of Environment (EUROPA NOSTRA) and in the International Black Sea Club.

source: http://el.wikipedia.org/