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OVERVIEW
Epirus, one of the most spectacular and exciting areas for nature lovers, is geographically located on the north-western side of Greece, between the untouched mountainous mass of Pindos and the Ionian Sea. The region’s natural landscape includes great virgin forests, gorgeous beaches, rivers, lakes and rock canyons. Vikos Canyon, the second deepest in the world, with an ecosystem of 1.700 plants and 182 animals, the Voidomatis River, one of the coldest (and thus clearest) in Greece, the Vikos-Aoos National Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark, Zagorochoria- a group of 46 villages located all over the slopes of the mountains- the Dragon Lakes (the mythical mountain lakes), archaeological sites including the theater of Dodoni-the largest in antiquity, castles, historic stone bridges, monasteries, and churches are all here waiting for those wanting to head off the beaten tourist track. Go trekking, rock climbing, rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, in a scenery of singular beauty, without mass tourism.
.HISTORY
Homer calls Epirus “the land of the Thesprotians”. The Thesprotians originally controlled the
the Oracle of Zeus at Dodona, to whom Achilles prayed in the Iliad. It is the oldest ancient Greek oracle, and the most prestigious one after Delphi. Epirus also achieved fame during the reign of Pyrrhus (c.319-272 BC), the king of Epirus. His campaigns against Rome are the origin of the term “Pyrrhic victory”. Epirus subsequently became part of the Roman Empire along with the rest of Greece in 146 BC, which was followed by the Byzantine Empire. When the Byzantine Empire became fragmented, an independent kingdom was maintained in Epirus (Despotato of Epirus) after 1204 CE but in the 15th century the Ottoman Turks annexed it. During Ottoman rule, certain mountainous districts enjoyed many benefits and an autonomous administration. In 1881, Epirus was liberated up to Arta, while the rest of the region was united with Greece in 1913.
.ECONOMY
Epirus is a major dairy and livestock producer as sheep and goat pastoralism have always been an important activity. Meanwhile, a thriving tourism industry, particularly ecotourism, is drawing a growing number of visitors.
>Gross regional product
Total: €4.1 billion Per capita: €14,700
.REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION
Epirus borders the regions of Western Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, West Greece to the south, the Ionian Sea and Ionian Islands to the west and Albania to the north. The region is supervised by the Decentralized Administration of Epirus and Western Macedonia based at the city of Ioannina.
Region’s capital: Ioannina Region’s area: 9,203.22 km2 Region’s population (2021): 319,543
Postal Address: Region of Epirus, 1 Pyrrou Square, 452 21, Ioannina, Greece Region’s Website: https://www.php.gov.gr Tel: +30 26510 87000, +30 26510 87150
Alexandros Kachrimanis Regional Governor of Epirus
Alexandros Kachrimanis was born in Ioannina in 1956. He is Mechanical- Electrical Engineer of Metsovio National Polytechnic University and has been working professionally in Ioannina since 1982. He is the first elected regional governor of Epirus, having successfully contested the 2010, 2014, 2019 and 2023 regional elections.
.REGIONAL UNITS
Explore the four regional units of Epirus. Click on each box to find out about history, museums, top attractions, beaches, gastronomy, festivals, activities, transportation, accommodation and much more.
Note: Some regional units are not available yet, they will be soon.
