War of 1919 to 1922 brought refugees to the area including Kozani and villages and towns that removed the Turkish population to the country which later became only known as Turkey. The economy boomed and was disrupted later on. After World War II and the Greek Civil War, most of the buildings were repaired. Kozani opened its airport and later its hospital. Economy Kozani has been a prosperous area in the course of its history. Its merchants are known to have dominated the commerce of the Balkan peninsula, expanding their trade activities to the north and along the Danube. Nowadays, Kozani is still among the most prosperous areas of the Greek province, but for a different reason, its rich mining industry. Kozani produces lignite, which is the main source of the electric power produced in Greece, nitrous salts which are processed into fertilizers, and chromium. There was also an asbestos mine that remained operational until the mid-1990s, which has now ceased its operation. In the regional unit of Kozani there is also the artificial lake and hydroelectric dam of Polyfytos, which further contributes to the electricity production of Greece. The region's vast industrial advancement in a short period of time has raised environmentalist concerns. Transport National Roads Greek National Road 3, SE, Cen., N Greek National Road 15, SW, W Greek National Road 20, SW, W, Cen. Via Egnatia Air transport: Kozani National Airport "Filippos", 4 km from Kozani (flights to Kastoria, Athens). Rail transport: Kozani-Amyntaio railway line See also List of settlements in the Kozani regional unit References External links Prefectures of Greece 1915 establishments in Greece Regional units of Western Macedonia