Preveza (regional unit)

Preveza (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Πρέβεζας) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the Epirus region. Its capital is the town of Preveza.

Preveza Περιφερειακή ενότητα Πρέβεζας
Regional unit
Municipalities of Preveza
Preveza within Greece
Coordinates: 39°10′N 20°45′E
Country	Greece
Region	Epirus
Capital	Preveza
Area
• Total	1,036 km^2 (400 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	57,491
• Density	55/km^2 (140/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal codes	48x xx
Area codes	268x0
ISO 3166 code	GR-34
Car plates	ΡΖ (Rho Zeta)
Website	www.preveza.gr

The city of Preveza, and the airport.

Geography

The regional unit of Preveza is located northwest of the Ambracian Gulf. The Ionian Sea lies to the west. The terrain is mostly hilly. The mountains of Xerovouni are in the far northeast. Rivers include the Louros in the east, and Acheron in the north.

Its climate is typically Mediterranean with hot dry summers and cool winters. Snow is not uncommon in winter at higher elevations.

Administration

The regional unit Preveza is subdivided into 3 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):[1]

• Parga (3)
• Preveza (1)
• Ziros (2)

Prefecture

Preveza was established as a prefecture in 1915 (Greek: Νομός Πρέβεζας). As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Preveza was created out of the former prefecture Preveza. The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.[1]

New municipality	Old municipalities	Seat
Parga	Parga	Kanallaki
	Fanari
Preveza	Preveza	Preveza
	Louros
	Zalongo
Ziros	Anogeio	Filippiada
	Thesprotiko
	Kranea
	Filippiada

History

The area was first settled by the Greek tribe of the Thesprotians and subsequently formed part of the Kingdom of Epirus and later the Roman Empire. The Battle of Actium took place in the area in 31 BC, following which the city of Nicopolis ("city of victory") was built by Augustus. The area became part of the Byzantine Empire, and following the Fourth Crusade, split off along with the rest of Epirus to form the Despotate of Epirus. The area passed to Ottoman rule in the 14th century, which lasted until 1913. Following the Balkan Wars, the area was awarded to Greece in 1913, at which point the prefecture was created. The prefecture included the island of Lefkada, until the latter was split off in 1955 as a separate prefecture Lefkada.

Sights

The ruins of the ancient cities of Nicopolis and Cassope, and the Necromanteion lie in the prefecture. Zalongo is a mountain village, known for its monastery. Parga is a historic port town and a resort.

Transport

The Aktio-Preveza Undersea Tunnel, which runs underneath the Ambracian Gulf, connects Preveza with Aetolia-Acarnania to the south.

• Greek National Road 5/E55, E, NE
• Greek National Road 18, S, SW, W, NW
• Greek National Road 21, S, SE, E

Persons

• Kostas Karyotakis (October 30, 1896 in Tripoli – July 20, 1928)

External links

• Preveza Weather Station SV6GMQ - Live Weather Conditions (in English and Greek)

See also

• List of settlements in the Preveza regional unit

References

1. "Kallikratis reform law text" (PDF).