Epirus

General information about the Epirus region.

1. REGIONAL PROFILE

Geographical area specification
Epirus is sited at the North Western part of Greece. Its borders are to the West with the Ionian Sea while to the East with Thessaly and Macedonia. It’s Northern borders are those to Albania and to the South spreads to Amvrakikos gulf and Aitoloakarnania Region.

Epirus is comprised by four Prefectures, these are:
1. Prefecture of Ioannina
2. Prefecture of Arta
3. Prefecture of Preveza and
4. Prefecture of Thesprotia

The Capital of the Region is the city of Ioannina.

Epirus total land area is 9.203 km³ covering 6.7% of the country’s area.
It’s geomorphology is characterized by the mountainous terrain and the plentitude of water resources. This results to a rich natural environment, with plenty of forests, unique flora and fauna and rare natural beauty.

Epirus provides the country with Natural Forests and Water Areas while the subsoil is rich of non-metal minerals. Extended seashores exist in three Prefectures that share borders to the Ionian Sea and Amvrakikos Gulf.

As mentioned above, the main characteristic of Epirus is that most of its areas are mountainous covering 77% of its total land. The percentage 66.6% of its total municipalities and villages (566) are sited in these areas (377), while 33.4% of the population live in these mountainous areas.

Four basic zones are identified in the Region of Epirus:

1. The seashore zone of Prefectures of Preveza and Thesprotia which is highly developed due to, the Tourism sector, sea transportation, and fishery. This zone concentrates substantial development potential.
2. The mountainous zone spread across the East border of the region in the Prefectures of Ioannina and Arta. This area presents several development capabilities based on provided advantages (traditional settlements, historical – cultural heritage, natural beauty areas).
3. The rural areas zone, sited on the South West part of the region.
4. The greater zone of mountainous and non-mountainous areas. This zone, due to its particular feature presents fewer development abilities.

Region of Epirus comprises a substantial amount of sensitive or/and protected areas, which consist 2 National Forests, a RAMSAR area, 22 potential areas to participate in the NATURA 2000 Project, a Nature Monument, 2 protected landscapes (aesthetic forests) and 30 CORINE areas.

History and Culture
Epirus disposes many historical monuments (Ancient Theatre of Dodoni, Ancient City of Nikopolis, Byzantine churches and monasteries, traditional Settlements, stone bridges, etc.).

Education and Health
The sectors of Education and Health consist of its two comparative advantages (University Hospital, 5 General Hospitals, Health Centers, University, 4 Technological Institutions).

Demographic Data
The Region of Epirus total population is up to 373.420 residents that corresponds to 3.54% of Greece’s population. In the end of a long period with a lag on development rates, the total population of the Region of Epirus is increased faster than for the rest of Greece (12.4% for Epirus, 3.2% for Greece). The Prefectures of Ioannina (15.6%) and Thesprotia (17.7%) present the highest rates of population rise towards Prefectures of Preveza (8.5%) and Arta (5.8%).

Economy
A percentage by 4.5% of the Greek rural production occurs in Epirus, an amount of 13% regarding the Greek manufacture and 2.6% for the Greek service sector. Epirus GDP Per Capita reach the amount of 9.977 € which occurs to 84% average for Greece. As far as the EU patterns concern, this is translated to 67% of the EU average. Due to these data, Epirus is placed among the poorest EU regions, together with Western Greece, Peloponnesus, Portuguese Azores, Spanish Extremadure and overseas areas of France.

Employment
Epirus unemployment rates are reduced to 3 units (10.6% of the workforce). According to Eurostat, the workforce of Epirus is expected to increase up to 8.6% during 2000 – 2010.

Transportation and Infrastructure
Epirus is sited in a strategic position towards Western Europe, which is expected to be exploited through the Port of Igoumenitsa and become a Gate of Greece to the west of Europe. Epirus airport is placed at the Prefecture of Ioannina.

An effective intervention for the Region’s isolation withdrawal is the Egnatia Highway combined to the West Highway and Rio - Antirio Bridge, as well as the Aktio – Preveza underwater tunnel. These constructions expect to provide the region with substantial development.

Epirus offers amazing comparative advantages (clean seashores, incredible local beauties, archaeological sites, National Forrests, local traditional heritage, traditional settlements such as Metsovo – Zagorochoria, Historical heritage) to promote tourism (especially alternative types of tourism) and Culture as main development resources.

A large number of Epirus population is concentrated at its urban centers, particularly at Ioannina. The population of Ioannina is now more than 120.000 residents due to the high concentration of Public Services, two Hospitals (University Hospital and General Hospital of Ioannina), the Technological Institute of Epirus and one of the most important Greek Universities where almost 17.000 students study in a variety of departments. The University of Ioannina is a strong participant in major development actions (EU projects, research and Technology) and has lately contributed to the most, for the creation of the Science and Technology Park of Epirus.

Maps
The Region of Epirus
The Epirus Region in Greece
The Epirus Region in Europe