DYTIKI ELLADA - Geography and history
Western Greece is the region of ancient Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic games. It covers an area of 11 351 square kilometres (8.6% of the Greece area) and has a density of 65 inhabitants per km². It is the region of the historic monasteries of Agia Lavra and Mega Spileo, where the banner of the revolt, which led to the liberation of Greece, was raised in 1821. It comprises the nomí of Etoloakarnania, Achaia and Ilia. It does not constitute a natural, geographical or historical entity, since the nomí of Achaia and Ilia form a natural extension of the Peloponnese and are identified geographically, historically and culturally with it, while Etoloakarnania is an extension of Central Greece. The region is essentially cut in two, the only link between the two parts being the ferry between Rio and Antirio. It comprises the western and northwestern parts of the Peloponnese and the western part of Central Greece. The capital is Patras, the third largest city in Greece, while other towns are Pyrgos, Egio, Agrinio and Messolongi.
The region is mainly semi-mountainous, but there are a number of flat areas, amongst them the plain of Ilia (the largest in the Peloponnese) and the plains of Agrinio, Katochi and Messolongi. It is also rich in water resources (e.g. the Acheloos, Evinos, Mornos, Pinios and Alfios rivers) and in lakes and lagoons with important aquatic biotopes.
Agricultural produce and a manufacturing tradition
The abundance of water, the extensive irrigated areas and the fertile plains favour the development of farming and livestock rearing.
The region is the main producer of tobacco in Greece (22% of total production); it also produces tomatoes, groundnuts, olives and potatoes, while goats and sheep make up a substantial proportion of the total for the country.
Despite this, the agricultural sector is facing difficulties because of the small size of holdings, the fragmentation of holdings, over cultivation and the general lack of crop planning.
Industry is highly developed, and the region constitutes the fifth largest industrial centre in the country. Contributory factors are the proximity of Athens, a tradition of manufacturing and commerce, the large pool of labour, the scientific and technological potential, an adequate road network and good communications with Western Europe. Its geographical position makes it the principal sea gateway to and from Western Europe, and the port of Patras has considerable freight traffic and is the second largest Greek port in terms of passengers carried.
Patras predominant
The depopulation of the mainly mountainous areas of the region, the ageing of the population and the movement to the urban centres (Patras, Agrinio) and plains are an impediment to balanced development.
The central area ? the nomós of Achaia ? has become more industrialized than the other areas, which have remained mainly agricultural. Because of the abundance of water, the nomí of Etoloakarnania and Ilia account for all the farming and livestock rearing in the region.
Patras contains most of the population of the region and is a magnet for activities in an extensive part of it.
The nomós of Achaia as the centre of the region (in terms of education, culture, communications, manufacturing, transit trade and administration) provides such an attraction that the other nomí are overshadowed.
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