Phthiotis
Phthiotis (Greek: Φθιώτιδα, Fthiótida, [ˈfθjɔtiða]; ancient Greek and Katharevousa: Φθιῶτις) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Central Greece. The capital is the city of Lamia. It is bordered by the Malian Gulf to the east, Boeotia in the south, Phocis in the south, Aetolia-Acarnania in the southwest, Evrytania in the west, Karditsa regional unit in the north, Larissa regional unit in the north, and Magnesia in the northeast. The name dates back to ancient times. It is best known as the home of Achilles.
Phthiotis Περιφερειακή ενότητα Φθιώτιδας | |
---|---|
Municipalities of Phthiotis | |
Phthiotis within Greece | |
Phthiotis Phthiotis within Greece | |
Coordinates: 38°54′N 22°32′E | |
Region | Central Greece |
Capital | Lamia |
Government | |
• Vice Governor | Efthymios Karaiskos (Changing the Heart of Greece) |
Area | |
• Total | 4,440 km2 (1,710 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 158,231 |
• Density | 36/km2 (92/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+2 |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Postal codes | 35x xx |
Area codes | 223x0 |
ISO 3166 code | GR-06 |
Car plates | ΜΙ |
Website | www.nafthiotidos.ondsl.gr |
Geography
Phthiotis covers the northern and southern shorelines of the Malian Gulf, an inlet of the Aegean Sea. It stretches inland towards the west along the valley of the river Spercheios. In the south it covers the upper part of the Cephissus valley. There are several mountain ranges in Phthiotis, including the Othrys in the northeast, the Tymfristos in the west, the Vardousia in the southwest, Oeta in the south and the Kallidromo in the southeast.
History
"Phthiotis" means "the region of Phthia", the southernmost region of ancient Thessaly around Pharsalus and home of Achilles. In Classical times, it also referred to the region of Achaea Phthiotis, which bordered on Thessalian Phthiotis to the south and east. Achaea Phthiotis covered the northern part of the present regional unit Phthiotis and the southern part of present Magnesia. The southeastern part of present Phthiotis was covered by the ancient region Locris, and the southwestern part was ancient Malis and Ainis.
Transport
- E65, S, Cen., NE
- Greek National Road 1/E75, SE, E, Cen., NE
- Greek National Road 3, SE, S, Cen., N
- Greek National Road 27, S, Cen.
- Greek National Road 38, W, Cen.
Administration
The regional unit Phthiotis is subdivided into 7 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):[1]
- Amfikleia-Elateia (2)
- Domokos (3)
- Lamia (1)
- Lokroi (4)
- Makrakomi (5)
- Molos-Agios Konstantinos (6)
- Stylida (7)
Prefecture
The prefecture Phthiotis and Phocis was created in 1845. In 1947 this prefecture was split into the southern part Phocis and the northern part Phthiotis. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Phthiotis was created out of the former prefecture Phthiotis (Greek: Νομός Φθιώτιδας). The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.[1]
New municipality | Old municipalities | Seat |
---|---|---|
Amfikleia-Elateia | Amfikleia | Kato Tithorea |
Elateia | ||
Tithorea | ||
Domokos | Domokos | Domokos |
Thessaliotida | ||
Xyniada | ||
Lamia | Lamia | Lamia |
Gorgopotamos | ||
Leianokladi | ||
Pavliani | ||
Ypati | ||
Lokroi | Atalanti | Atalanti |
Dafnousia | ||
Malesina | ||
Opountia | ||
Makrakomi | Makrakomi | Spercheiada |
Agios Georgios Tymfristou | ||
Spercheiada | ||
Tymfristos | ||
Molos-Agios Konstantinos | Agios Konstantinos | Kamena Vourla |
Kamena Vourla | ||
Molos | ||
Stylida | Stylida | Stylida |
Echinaioi | ||
Pelasgia |
Persons
- Thanos Livaditis (1934–2005)
- Dimitrios Holevas
Sporting teams
- Lamia F.C.
- Ionikos Lamias BC
See also
- List of traditional Greek place names
- List of settlements in Phthiotis
References
External links
Media related to Phthiotis at Wikimedia Commons