The region is centered in the metropolitan city of Thessaloniki in Central Macedonia.

[3] They enjoy both administrative and financial autonomy[1] and exercise devolved state powers in urban planning, environmental and energy policy, forestry, migration and citizenship.

Covering an area of 32,968 km2 (12,729 sq mi)[1] Macedonia and Thrace is the largest of the seven decentralized administrations by area, and with an overall population of 2,490,290[2] it is also the second most populated one, following the Decentralized Administration of Attica.

The Decentralized Administration is led by a secretary-general (Γενικός Γραμματέας) who is appointed or dismissed by a Cabinet decision upon request of the Greek Minister of Interior,[5] and is therefore considered the senior representative of the national government in the regions.

Following the electoral victory of Syriza in January 2015, the new Minister for the Interior, Nikos Voutsis, declared that the decentralized administrations would be abolished, and their powers transferred to the regions.