Central Greece

Στερεά Ελλάδα Central Greece Continental Greece
(Greek national flag)
Prefectures	Aetolia-Acarnania Attica Boeotia Euboea Evrytania Phocis Phthiotis
Population	4,591,568 (2001 census)
Area	24,818.3 km²
Population density	185/km²

Continental Greece (Greek: Στερεά Ελλάδα - Stereá Elláda, earlier Χέρσος Ελλάς) or Central Greece (Greek: Κεντρική Ελλάδα - Kentrikí Elláda), for a time known as Roúmeli (Ρούμελη), is a geographical region of Greece. Its territory is divided into the peripheries of Central Greece, Attica, and one prefecture of West Greece.

Etymology

The region was known for a time as Roúmeli (Ρούμελη), a name deriving from the turkish word Rumelia or Rumeli, meaning the land of Romioi (the land of Greeks). The official name Stereá Elláda (Continental Greece), derives from the fact that Central Greece was one of the first regions along with the Peloponnese to form the modern Greek state.

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, making it the second largest of the country. It is located to the north of the Peloponnese and to the south of Thessaly and Epirus, bordering the Aegean Sea to the east, the Ionian Sea to the west and the Corinthian Gulf to the south. Its climate is temperate along its coastlines, and dry in the interior.

Mountains

The region is one of the most mountainous in Greece, having some of the highest elevations in the country.

Lakes

Central Greece has also some of the largest lakes in Greece, while amongst the most important is Mornos lake in Phocis, which supplies water around the prefecture, parts of the Phthiotis and Boeotia prefectures and Athens as well.

Rivers

Some important and well known rivers of Central Greece are Acheloos in Aetolia-Acarnania which is the second longest of the country, Spercheios in Phthiotis, Evenus in Aetolia-Acarnania and Mornos in Phocis.

Cities

The principal cities of the region of Central Greece according to the census of 2001 are:

Athens - 3,130,841 (Athens metropolitan area icluding all the towns around Athens urban area - 3,761,810)

Chalkida - 53,584

Lamia - 46,406

Agrinio - 42,390

Thebes - 21,211

Livadeia - 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 (an ancient warrior dance, in which the leader performs energetic leaps), Mazochto and Kangeli.

See also

• Central Greece (periphery)

External links

• www.stereaellada.gr

Regions of Greece
Aegean Islands • Attica • Central Greece • Crete • Epirus • Ionian Islands • Macedonia • Peloponnese • Thessaly • Thrace

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