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Ptolemaida  (Πτολεμαΐδα)
Location
Coordinates	40°31′N 21°41′E / 40.517, 21.683Coordinates: 40°31′N 21°41′E / 40.517, 21.683
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	West Macedonia
Prefecture:	Kozani
Mayor:	Grigorios Tsioumaris
Population statistics (as of 2001[2])
City Proper
- Population:	35,539
- Area:[3]	217.901 km² (84 sq mi)
- Density:	163 /km² (422 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal codes:	502 00
Area codes:	24630
License plate codes:	KZ
Website
www.ptolemaida.gr

Ptolemaida (Greek: Πτολεμαΐδα or Katharevousa Πτολεμαΐς) is a city in Northern Greece. It lies in the prefecture of Kozani, which is part of the periphery of West Macedonia. It is known for its coal (lignite) mines and its power stations.

Contents 1 Name 2 Location 3 History 3.1 Neolithic times 3.2 Ancient period 3.3 Byzantine Period 3.4 Ottoman period 3.5 First Balkan War 3.6 World War I 3.7 World War II 3.8 Civil war 3.9 Modern times 4 Culture 5 Economy 6 Demographics 6.1 Ethnic groups 6.2 Famous people 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

• Modern Greek: Πτολεμαΐδα Ptolemaida
• Katharevousa: Πτολεμαΐς Ptolemais
• Turkish: Kayılar, Kaylar, Kayalar, Kailar
• South Slavic language: Кайляри/Кајлари – Kailari or Кайляр/Кајљар – Kailyar

In the Ottoman period, the city was named Kaylar, and this name was retained in Greek, in the form Kailaria (Καϊλάρια) until 1927. The modern name Ptolemaida was introduced by decree on January 20, 1927. The name was chosen in honor of Ptolemy Lagus, a comrade-in-arms of Alexander the Great, and his daughter Ptolemaïs[1]. His statue stands in the central square of the city.

The city lies in the valley of Eordaia, between the Askio mountains to the southwest and the Vermio mountains to the northeast. It is located north of Kozani, east of Kastoria, south of Florina, and south-west of Edessa. Since the 1960s, GR-3/E65 has bypassed it to the east. It is the seat of the province of Eordea.

According to archaeologists, the Ptolemaida region has been occupied since 6000 BCE.^[1]

Archaeologists, in November of 2005, discovered the remains of two farming villages dating back to the Neolithic period. A press report notes that such farming villages were trading centres and had a "developed knowledge of metalworking".^[1]

A golden necklace dating to roughly 4500 BCE was discovered on February 16, 2006.^[1] Associated Press reporter Costas Kantouris describes the item as a "flat, roughly ring-shaped [which] probably had religious significance and would have been worn on a necklace by a prominent member of society."^[1]

Lately in the lake Zazari near Ptolemaida there were found 16 houses that belong in the Neolithic era due to archaaeologists. These houses were in the lake and were exposed because of the decreased water level of the lake. That particular small settlement gives informations about the society and the people in the Neolithic era.

In the area of Ptolemaida many findiings have beek revelead the last 30 years due to mining operations. Ceramic artifacts, dating to the 6th century BC, are one of many unrevealed at two sites near Grevena and Ptolemaida. Archaeologists found the artifacts at two prehistoric farming settlements. The findings will shed light on the social structures of the Neolithic era. There are also found at least two Ancient Makedonian graves in the area of Ptolemaida. These graves are dated from the 5th century BC and give many informations about the architecture that was used at that time and also about the customs that people had.

Main articles: Empire of Nicaea, Despotate of Epirus, Kingdom of Thessalonica, and Battle of Pelagonia

At various times, Ptolemaida was part of the Latin Empire, the Kingdom of Thessalonica, the Empire of Nicaea, and the Despotate of Epirus.^{[citation needed]} The borders among the Latin Empire, the Empire of Nicaea, the Empire of Trebizond, and the Despotate of Epirus are very uncertain.

During the Ottoman period, Ptolemaida was called Kailar, and it had two parts: Ashai Kayılar and Ukarı Kayılar. Asai Kayılar was Bektashi and Ukari Kailar was Rufai, hanefi (naturalist)^{[citation needed]}.

Before 1360, large numbers of nomad shepherds, or Yuruks, from the district of Konia, in Asia Minor, had settled in Macedonia; their descendants were known as Konariotes^{[citation needed]}. Further immigration from this region took place from time to time up to the middle of the 18th century. After the establishment of the feudal system in 1397, many of the Seljuk noble families came over from Asia Minor; their descendants may be recognized among the Beys or Muslim landowners in Kailar^{[citation needed]}. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Turkish population was quite considerable, but since that time it has continuously decreased. A low birth rate, the exhaustion of the male population by military service, and a large mortality from epidemics have brought about a decline which has lately been hastened by emigration. The Turkish rural population around Kailar was mainly composed of Konariot shepherds^{[citation needed]}.

Ptolemaida was released by Greek forces on October 15, 1912.

Ptolemaida's football club is called "Eordaikos" (Greek: Εορδαϊκός). Other teams include AE Ptolemaidas. Ptolemaida has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, churches, banks, a post office, a train station (Kozani - Florina), a police station, a water tower, and squares (plateies). There is the potential of a university being established by the state in the near future, which will raise the standard of life in Ptolemaida.

Ptolemaida is a highly industrialized area. The four power plants in this area produce 70% of Greece's electrical power, using the large local deposits of lignite as fuel. The plants are owned by the Public Power Corporation (DEI), the major employer in the city. The plant was dedicated by the prime minister of Greece at that time, Constantine Karamanlis. The other two are in Amyntaio in Florina and in Agios Dimitrios.

The current Municipality of Ptolemaida is constituted by the city of Ptolemaida and 12 small communities which all together cover an extent of 2.179 square kilometres.

At the 2001 census, the population of the city was 30,017 residents.

The total population of the municipality in 1991 was 32,775 residents.

However, it is likely that these elements underestimate the real population because of the tendency of certain residents to be recorded at the national censuses in their home village. Thus, the real Population of Ptolemaida is around 50.000

Year	Communal Population	Change	Municipal population	Change
1940	7,719	-	-	-
1951	8,816	-	-	-
1961	12,747	-	-	-
1971	16,588	-	-	-
1981	22,109	-	-
1981	22,109	-	-	-
1991	25,125	+3,016(+13.6% )	32,775	-
2001	30,017	+4,892(+19.5% )	36,393	+518(+1.6%)

A substantial proportion of Ptolemaida's residents are Pontic Greek from Sourmene or Sürmene, Turkey^{[citation needed]} or their descendants. These were refugees from Asia Minor who first arrived in Macedonia during the 1920s as a result of the population exchange according to the Treaty of Lausanne. These replaced the Turkish population in the area in much larger numbers, resulting in the doubling of the general population.^{[citation needed]}

• Pantelis Kapetanos
• Mara Darmousli (1982) fashion model

• List of communities of Kozani
• Karafere war
• Gianittsa war
• Kumanova war
• Lozan

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

• Ptolemaida news
• http://hellas.teipir.gr/Thesis/Eordaia/english/Ptolemaida.htm
• Mapquest - Ptolemaida, street map not yet available
• Coordinates: 40°30′40″N, 21°40′41″E

v • d • e Municipalities and Communities of the Kozani Prefecture
Municipalities	Agia Paraskevi • Aiani • Askio • Dimitrios Ypsilantis • Elimeia • Ellispontos • Kamvounia • Kozani • Mouriki • Neapoli • Ptolemaida • Servia • Siatista • Tsotyli • Velventos • Vermio
Communities	Vlasti • Livadero • Pentalofos