Pieria is a gifted region boasting many geographical advantages and a vivid touristic, agricultural, manufacturing and industrial activity. Its economy is based mainly on the primary sector and tourism. A wide range of agricultural products is locally grown, such as cereals, cotton, legumes, grapes, cherries, kiwis and tobacco, while the region also showcases a significant export activity. Livestock farming is also highly developed, while the forests of the area offer plenty of timber.
Another important first for Pieria, is the fact that it boasts an organized aquaculture development area, the first within Greece, with a large production of shellfish both for the domestic market and for foreign markets. Moreover, its geographical position enables it to serve as a transit hub with proximity to the northern borders of the country and the port of Thessaloniki.
The opportunities for tourism
Pieria is a very attractive destination, as it geographically includes the ends of three mountain ranges: Olympus (the highest mountain in Greece – known for its mythological “past” as the abode of the gods of antiquity), Titaros and Pieria, as well as 77 km of coastlines combining mountain and sea.
The southern and western part of Pieria is mountainous. In contrast, the coastal front is an extensive and rich plain, covering 40% of its territory. It is a destination with a focus on mass tourism, but there’s also the potential for the development of cultural and religious tourism, ecotourism and sports tourism alike. At the same time, the brand name “Olympus” boasts significant international reputation and recognition, giving Pieria the pgrounds for further touristic growth.
Pieria has significant cultural resources, infrastructure and points of interest to present (mainly the archaeological park of Dion and the castle of Platamonas which are among the top archaeological sites in the region).
The rich natural landscape of the region with intense and varied vegetation, its important natural resources, landscapes of particular natural beauty and protected areas such as Mount Olympus (recognized as a UNESCO National Forest and Biosphere Reserve), the Aliakmonas Delta and the Alykes, set the basis for an even greater future.
