Trikala (regional unit)

(Redirected from Trikala Prefecture)

Trikala (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Τρικάλων) is one of the regional units of Greece, forming the northwestern part of the region of Thessaly. Its capital is the city of Trikala. The regional unit includes the town of Kalampaka and the Meteora monastery complex, the town of Pyli, the town of Farkadona and the mountain range of south Pindus with its tourist destinations (i.e. Pyli's stone bridge, Basilica Church of Porta Panagia, Elati, Pertouli, Palaiokarya's stone bridge and waterfall, Pertouli Ski Center etc.).

Trikala
Περιφερειακή ενότητα
Τρικάλων
Municipalities of Trikala
Municipalities of Trikala
Trikala within Greece
Trikala within Greece
Trikala is located in Greece
Trikala
Trikala
Coordinates: 39°40′N 21°40′E / 39.667°N 21.667°E / 39.667; 21.667
CountryGreece
Administrative regionThessaly
SeatTrikala
Area
  Total
3,383.48 km2 (1,306.37 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
  Total
122,081
  Density36.0815/km2 (93.4506/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
42x xx
Area code243x0
Vehicle registrationΤΚ
Websitewww.trikala.gr

Geography

edit

Trikala borders the regional units of Karditsa to the south, Arta to the southwest, Ioannina to the west, Grevena to the north and Larissa to the east.

The southeastern part belongs to the Thessalian Plain. The forested Pindus mountain range dominates the western part. The northern part of Trikala is also mountainous and made up of forests and barren lands, the ranges here are Chasia and Antichasia. Its major river is the Pineios, flowing to the south and east.

Its climate is mainly of Mediterranean character, with hot summers and cold winters, along with temperate climate conditions by the mountains.

Administration

edit

The regional unit Trikala is subdivided into 4 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):[2]

Prefecture

edit

Trikala was created as a prefecture (Greek: Νομός Τρικάλων) in 1882. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Trikala was created out of the former prefecture Trikala. The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.[2]

New municipalityOld municipalitiesSeat
FarkadonaFarkadonaFarkadona
Oichalia
Pelinnaioi
MeteoraKalampakaKalampaka
Aspropotamos
Vasiliki
Kastania
Kleino
Malakasi
Tymfaia
Chasia
PyliPyliPyli
Aithikes
Gomfoi
Myrofyllo
Neraida
Pialeia
Pindos
TrikalaTrikalaTrikala
Estiaiotida
Kallidendro
Koziakas
Megala Kalyvia
Paliokastro
Paralithaioi
Faloreia

Provinces

edit

Trikala prefecture had four provinces and areas named Trikala, Kalampaka, Pyli and Farkadona the four largest towns.

Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.

History

edit
Litheos river flowing through city of Trikala.
Kalabaka.
View of Meteora from Kastraki

The area of Trikala was relatively obscure in ancient Thessaly, as well as during the periods of Macedonian, Romans, and Byzantine rule. Under the Ottomans, Trikala was known as "Tırhala" and became the seat of the Sanjak of Tirhala, encompassing most of Thessaly, until the late 18th century. Despite a number of rebellions against Ottoman rule, the area remained under Ottoman control until joined with the independent Kingdom of Greece in 1881.

Upon annexation by Greece, Trikala became the seat of one of the two prefectures in which Thessaly was divided (the other being Larissa Prefecture). The area was briefly occupied by the Ottomans again during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, and by the Italians and Germans during the Axis occupation of Greece in World War II. In 1947, the southern part was split off as Karditsa Prefecture.

Economy

edit

Agriculture

edit

The agriculture of the area is famous, and produces a part of the country's production also in export. Its well-known production includes fruit and vegetables, cotton, olives, cattle and other foodstuffs.

Communications

edit

Newspapers

edit

Transport

edit

The Palaiofarsalos–Kalambaka railway passes through the regional unit, from Palaiofarsalos and up to Trikala and Kalambaka. The A2 motorway, part of European route E90, passes through the northwestern corner of the unit, near Panagia [el]. Other main roads passing through the unit include the A3, EO6, EO15, EO26 and EO30.

Sports

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
edit