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OVERVIEW
Western Greece is surrounded by the Ionian Sea, the Patras Gulf and the Corinthian gulf. It is regarded as the western gateway to the Adriatic Sea and Western Europe. The three regional units that make up the region are Aitoloakarnania, Achaia and Ilia. The capital of Western Greece is Patras, the third-largest-city in the country, home to a major port. The region is also home to Olympia, one of Greece’s most visited archaeological sites. The birthplace of the Olympic Games, Olympia, is still the location of the ritual of lighting the torch before the modern Olympic Games can begin. Mesollonghi, the sacred town of the Greek War for Independence, is also located in Western Greece. The region is privileged in terms of the natural environment: significant rivers (Acheloos, Evinos, Ladonas, Alfios), lakes (Trichonida, Amvrakia Lysimachia, Kaiafa), mountains(Aroania, Erymanthos, Panachaiko), ski hubs (Helmos in Kalavryta) and beaches many of which have been awarded blue flags can all be found here. Across the region there are scattered historical, cultural and natural prestigious monuments, archaeological sites, museums, monasteries, temples and modern achievements. Admire the Rio-Antirio Bridge, a striking feat of modern engineering, and Nafpaktos, one of the oldest towns in Greece, with a history of 3,500 years and a beautiful small Venetian port.
.HISTORY
Achaia owes its name to the Achaeans. Mythology tells us that after the Dorian invasion, the Achaeans led by the eponymous Patreus, founded the city of Patras. Patras constituted an important centre of the Mycenean era. The region was annexed by the Roman Republic in 146 BC but during Roman times, Patras flourished as a point of strategic importance. The town experienced repeated conquests from Franks, Venice, Byzantines and finally the Ottomans. Later on, it played a leading part in the Greek revolution of 1821.
.ECONOMY
The regional economy is based on agriculture and livestock, with wine and olive oil production being particularly important as well as dairy products and fish farming. Furthermore, the region is home to an emerging ecosystem of clusters in Agrofood, ICT and innovation. Western Greece is also developing its tourism sector.
>Gross regional product
Total: €8.3 billion Per capita: €15,200
.REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION
The region of Western Greece comprises the western part of continental Greece and the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The region was established in the 1987 administrative reform. Along with Peloponnese and the Ionian Islands regions, it is supervised by the Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands based at Patras.
Region’s capital: Patras Region’s area: 11,350.18 km2 Region’s population (2021): 643,349 Region’s Postal address: 32 Patra – Athens N.N.H. 26441, Patras, Greece Region’s Website: www.pde.gov.gr Tel: +30 2613 613500
Nektarios Farmakis Regional Governor of Western Greece
Nektarios Farmakis was born in 1980 and grew up in Agrinio. He holds a law degree, as well as a Law Master degree majoring in Civil Procedural Law from the Democritus University of Thrace. He has been practicing Law since 2006 as a member of the Agrinio Bar Association. In October 2023, he was re-elected as Regional Governor of Western Greece. He speaks English and German.
.REGIONAL UNITS
Explore the three regional units of Western Greece. 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.
