Thermaic Gulf

The Thermaic Gulf (Greek: Θερμαϊκός Κόλπος), also called the Gulf of Salonika and the Macedonian Gulf, is a gulf constituting the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. The city of Thessaloniki is at its northeastern tip, and it is bounded by Pieria and Imathia on the west and the Chalkidiki peninsula on the east, with Cape Kassandra at the southeasternmost corner. It is named after the ancient town of Therma, modern Thessaloniki. It is about 100 km (62 mi) long.

Thermaic Gulf
View of Thermaic Gulf from Peraia, Thessaloniki
Thermaic Gulf Location of the Thermaic Gulf within Greece
Location	Central Macedonia
Coordinates	40°15′N 22°50′E
Type	Gulf
Etymology	Gulf of Therma
Part of	Aegean Sea
River sources	Gallikos, Haliacmon, Loudias, Vardar (Axios)
Basin countries	Greece, North Macedonia

By narrower definitions, the Thermaic Gulf is bounded on the west by the line from the mouth of the Vardar or Axios to Cape Megalo Embolo, making it about 15 km (9.3 mi) long; while the smaller Gulf of Salonica is bounded by a line running from the mouth of the Gallikos to Karabournaki (Mikro Embolo).[1]

Satellite picture

To the Romans, the gulf was also known as Thermaicus or Thermaeus sinus ("Gulf of Therma") and as Macedonicus sinus ("The Gulf of Macedon", or "The Macedonian Gulf"). One of its modern names is the "Gulf of Salonica", named after the city of Thessaloniki which sprawls around and along the northeastern coast of the gulf.

Places that lie on the gulf include Sani, Kassandreia, ancient Potidaea, Nea Moudania, Agia Triada, Neoi Epivates, Peraia, Kalochori, Methoni, Pydna, Paralia Katerinis and Olympiaki Akti. The rivers emptying into the gulf are the Pineios, Aliakmon, Loudias, Gallikos and Axios/Vardar; several streams including one near Pydna also empty into the gulf. The Thermaic Gulf was significantly larger in classical times, with many ancient seaside cities (e.g. Pella) are now found several kilometers inland. The extensive silting mainly affects the northern and western parts of the gulf, which receive the bulk of alluvial outflow. The gulf is home to many famous, pristine beaches, which include Sani Beach. However, there are no beaches on the northwest coast, where wetlands stretch from Methone (northwest coast) to Thessaloniki's western suburb of Kalochori.

The Port of Thessaloniki is the gulf's largest and busiest port, while another twelve small ports provide sea transport in, out and around the Thermaic gulf. Major road networks of northern Greece such as the A1/E75 motorway (Athens - Thessaloniki) encircles the western portion of the gulf, while the A25 (Thessaloniki - Nea Moudania motorway) almost encircles the eastern part of it.

References

1. Malamut Elisabeth, Grélois Jean-Pierre, "Le port de Thessalonique (IVe-XVIe siècles)", Actes des congrès de la Société des historiens médiévistes de l'enseignement supérieur public 35:131-147, La Rochelle, 2004. "Ports maritimes et ports fluviaux au Moyen Age." doi:10.3406/shmes.2004.1875 full text