|
The Prefecture of Thesprotia covers the NW part of Epirus region. Its surface is 1.515 km2 and the population counts more than 46.000 inhabitants. Igoumenitsa, the capital of the prefecture, is also the biggest harbor in NW Greece.
Thesprotia's territory includes eight Municipalities and two Communities:
- Municipality of Igoumenitsa
- Municipality of Sivota
- Municipality of Acherontas
- Municipality of Margariti
- Municipality of Paramythia
- Municipality of Parapotamos
- Municipality of Sagiada
- Municipality of Filiates
- Community of Perdika
- Community of Souli
Thesprotia, covered mostly by the west mountain chain of Pindos, is cosnidered a mountainous area with few small and oblong valleys, which are gracefully crossed by the rivers of Kalamas and Acheron. The two rivers, receiving the waters of many smaller rivers and torrents, fall into the Ionian Sea.
Thesprotia, with its particular geographic position, drove the Mycenae settlers to found fortified settlements, around the 14th century B.C. During the 4th century B.C the people of Thesprotia established cities with a complete residential system, such as Elea and Gitani. The history of the region, though the centuries, is imprinted upon the ruins of cities, hovels, towers, castles, monasteries, churches and a lot of archaeological findings. In the 15th century, Thesprotia is occupied by the Ottomans. The constant fights, for the liberation from the Ottomans peaks with the resistance of the people of Souli against Ali Pasha of Ioannina and the holocaust of Koughi.
Today, Thesprotia constitutes the main naval gateway of Greece towards Western Europe. Its key role is being enhanced by the new port and the completion of Egnatia highway, both of which make the capital of the prefecture of Thesprotia, Igoumenitsa, one of the principal transportation centers in Europe. |
Prefecture of Thesprotia
.