Central Greece
Continental / Central Greece
Στερεά / Κεντρική Ελλάδα Stereá / Kentrikí Elláda | |
---|---|
Capital | Athens |
Subdivisions | |
Area | |
• Total | 24,818.3 km2 (9,582.4 sq mi) |
Population | |
• Total | 4,591,568 (2,001 census) |
• Density | 185/km2 (480/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Stereoelladites, Roumeliotes |
Continental Greece (Greek: Στερεά Ελλάδα, romanized: Stereá Elláda; formerly Χέρσος Ἑλλάς, Chérsos Ellás), colloquially known as Roúmeli (Ρούμελη), is a traditional geographic region of Greece. In English, the area is usually called Central Greece, but the equivalent Greek term (Κεντρική Ελλάδα, Kentrikí Elláda) is more rarely used.
It includes the southern part of the Greek mainland (sans the
Etymology
The region has traditionally been known as Roúmeli (Ρούμελη), a name deriving from the
Geography
Central Greece is the most populous geographical region of Greece, with a population of 4,591,568 people, and covers an area of 24,818.3 km2 (9,582.4 sq mi), making it the second-largest of the country. It is located to the north of the
Mountains
The region is one of the most mountainous in Greece, having some of the highest elevations in the country.
Number | Mountain | Height (m) | Ranking in Greece |
Regional unit |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Giona |
2,510 |
5th |
Phocis |
2 | Vardousia | 2,495 |
7th |
Phocis |
3 | Parnassus | 2,457 |
9th |
Phocis, Boeotia |
4 | Tymfristos | 2,315 |
16th |
Evrytania, Phthiotis |
5 | Oeta | 2,152 |
22nd |
Phthiotis |
Lakes
Central Greece also has some of the largest lakes in Greece; among the most important is Mornos lake in Phocis, which supplies water to Phocis, parts of Phthiotis, Boeotia, and Athens as well.
Number | Lake | Area (km2) | Ranking in Greece |
Regional unit |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Trichonida | 96.513 |
1st |
Aetolia-Acarnania |
2 | Yliki | 22.731 |
9th |
Boeotia |
3 | Amvrakia | 13.619 |
13th |
Aetolia-Acarnania |
4 | Lysimachia | 13.200 |
14th |
Aetolia-Acarnania |
5 | Ozeros | 10.013 |
16th |
Aetolia-Acarnania |
Rivers
Some important and well-known rivers of Central Greece are the
.Cities
The principal cities of the region of Central Greece according to the census of 2001 are:
- 58,601
- 57,147
- Chalkida
- 53,584
- 21,211
- 20,061
Culture
Roumelian music and dances
Roumelian dances tend to be slow and controlled. The clarinet is the main instrument in this region. The main dances of this region are tsamikos (in which the leader performs energetic leaps) and kleftiko, both influenced by the Arvanites of the region.[citation needed]
Gallery
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The Athenian Treasury in Delphi
-
Chalkis
-
Fustanella from central Greece