Epirus (region)

Epirus is a traditional geographic area and a modern administrative region in northwestern Greece.

It is part of a much larger historical region. This historical Epirus covers parts of both modern Greece and modern Albania. The current administrative region sits near the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west. To the north, it shares a border with Albania. It also borders Western Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, and West Greece to the south.

The geography of Epirus is defined by its rugged and mountainous terrain. Much of the land consists of high mountain ridges. These ridges are part of the Dinaric Alps. The Pindus Mountains form a massive spine through mainland Greece. These mountains separate Epirus from the regions of Macedonia and Thessaly. Most of Epirus is located on the windward side of the Pindus. This means it faces the direction from which the wind blows. Because of winds from the Ionian Sea, Epirus receives more rainfall than any other part of Greece. The highest point in the region is Mount Smolikas.

This high, wet environment creates a specific type of climate and ecosystem. The climate is mainly alpine, which is a climate found in high mountains. Because of the weather, the vegetation consists mostly of coniferous species. These are trees like pines that often have needles instead of leaves. The region is also home to two important protected areas. These are the Vikos-Aoos National Park and the Pindus National Park. These parks are located within the Ioannina Prefecture. They protect a wide range of flora and fauna.

The animal life is very rich and includes bears, wolves, foxes, deer, and lynxes.

Historically, different groups of people inhabited these lands. The ancient Molossians and Thesprotians lived in the region. The Thesprotians lived in the western part of what is now Greek Epirus. The Molossians lived in the rest of the Greek portion. The Chaonians lived in the southern section of Southern Albania. The borders of the region changed significantly in the 20th century. In 1913, the border between Greece and Albania was drawn. This left some Albanian-populated villages on the Greek side. It also left Greek-populated areas in Northern Epirus, which is now in Albania. In the 1940s, the coastal area of Thesprotia was also home to a Cham Albanian minority.

Today, Epirus is organized into four specific regional units. These units are Thesprotia, Ioannina, Arta, and Preveza.

The region was officially established during an administrative reform in 1987. Originally, it was divided into prefectures and municipalities. However, a local government reform in 2011 changed this structure. The government replaced the prefectures with these four regional units. This reform was meant to streamline how the local government works. It also restructured the former municipalities to reduce their total number.

The economy of Epirus is heavily influenced by its difficult landscape. The rugged terrain makes large-scale agriculture quite difficult. Because of this, many people rely on sheep and goat pastoralism. This means raising livestock for meat and milk. This activity is vital, as Epirus provides more than 45% of the meat for the Greek market. The region is also famous for its dairy products, such as feta cheese. Near Ioannina, people grow tobacco. Some fishing and farming also take place. Because local food production is limited, much food must be imported from more fertile parts of Greece.

Despite its natural beauty, Epirus faces some economic challenges. In 2018, the region's gross domestic product (GDP) was €4.1 billion. This accounted for 2.2% of the total economic output of Greece. The GDP per capita was €14,700. This was only 49% of the average for the EU27 nations. The GDP per employee was 63% of the EU average. Epirus has the third lowest GDP per capita in Greece. It is considered one of the poorest regions in the European Union. Many people move away due to these economic conditions and the effects of past wars.

Demographics in the region show a shrinking population. About 320,000 people live in Epirus today. In 2001, it had the lowest population of all 13 regions in Greece. Between 2011 and 2021, the population decreased by 5.1%. This was a loss of 17,313 people. The capital and largest city is Ioannina. Nearly one third of the entire population lives in this single city. Most residents are Greeks, though Aromanians and Arvanites also live there. Tourism is an important part of modern life here. Many people practice eco-tourism to visit the traditional villages and natural sites.