Elis or Ilia ( el, Ηλεία, ''Ileia'') is a historic region in the western part of the

Peloponnese The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic regions of Greece, geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmu ...

peninsula of Greece. It is administered as a regional unit of the modern region of Western Greece. Its capital is Pyrgos. Until

2011 File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...

it was Elis Prefecture, covering the same territory. The modern regional unit is nearly coterminous with the

ancient Elis Elis () or Eleia ( el, Ήλιδα, Ilida, grc-att, Ἦλις, Ēlis ; Elean: , ethnonym: ) is an ancient district in Greece that corresponds to the modern regional unit of Elis. Elis is in southern Greece on the Peloponnese, bounded on th ...

of the classical period. Here lie the ancient ruins of cities of Elis, Epitalion and

Olympia The name Olympia may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games * ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...

, known for the

ancient Olympic Games The ancient Olympic Games (Ὀλυμπιακοὶ ἀγῶνες; la, Olympia, neuter plural: "the Olympics") were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and were one of the Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. ...

which started in 776 BC.

Geography

The northernmost point of Elis is 38° 06'N, the westernmost is 22° 12′E, the southernmost is 37° 18′N, and the easternmost is 21° 54′E. The length from north to south is , and from east-to-west is around . The modern regional unit is not completely congruent with

: Lampeia belonged to ancient Arcadia, and Kalogria is now part of

Achaea Achaea () or Achaia (), sometimes transliterated from Greek as Akhaia (, ''Akhaïa'' ), is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Western Greece and is situated in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The ...

. The longest river is the Alfeios. Other rivers are the Erymanthos, Pineios and Neda. Alfeios, Pineios and Neda flow into the

Ionian Sea The Ionian Sea ( el, Ιόνιο Πέλαγος, ''Iónio Pélagos'' ; it, Mar Ionio ; al, Deti Jon ) is an elongated bay of the Mediterranean Sea. It is connected to the Adriatic Sea to the north, and is bounded by Southern Italy, including C ...

in Elis. Less than 1% of the prefecture is open water, most of it found in artificial reservoirs and dams, in the north and east. The Pineios Dam supplies water for Northern Elis. The water is not safe for drinking, because it contains some contaminants. A second, smaller reservoir in the river Alfeios near

and Krestena supplies water to Pyrgos. The eastern part of the regional unit is forested, with mostly pine trees in the south. There are forest preserves in Foloi and the mountain ranges of Eastern Elis. In the north is the Strofylia forest which has pine trees. Mountain ranges include Movri (around 720 m or 2,400 ft), Divri (around 1500 m),

Minthe In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, Minthe (also Menthe, Mintha or Mentha; or or ) is an Underworld Naiad nymph associated with the river Cocytus. She was beloved by Hades, the King of the Underworld, and became his mistress, but s ...

(around 1100 m), and more. About one-third of the land is fertile; the rest is mountainous and not suitable for crops. Swamplands used to cover 1–1.5% of the region, especially in the Samiko area. Most of them have been drained for agricultural purposes; only 10 km² (4 sq miles) has been kept and is now protected. Here lie the ancient ruins of Elis, Epitalion and

, known for the ancient Olympic Games which started in 776 BC. There is a museum with statues that relate to the history of Olympia. Another museum is in Elis, but it is very small. Monasteries are scattered around the region.

Climate

Elis has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers. Temperatures over 40 °C have been recorded. The mountainous interior is colder, and snow covers the mountains in winter. Elis is more humid than the eastern Peloponnese.

Natural disasters

Elis is located in a seismically active zone, and there are several earthquakes each year. Some of the most significant earthquakes to have hit the area are: *1909: earthquake in Chavari *1910: earthquake in Vartholomio *1920: earthquake in Kyllini *1953: Ionian earthquake, minor damage in Elis *2008: 8 June Peloponnese earthquake, 2 deaths; hundreds of damaged homes and buildings were reported in Lechaina, Amaliada and Vartholomio Rainy weather in 2002-2003 caused destruction of villages by mudslides, and some bridges and roads were also cut off. In February 2008, frost devastated many crops in Manolada, Nea Manolada and Kounoupeli. In August 2007, there were enormous forest fires which led to tens of deaths and a massive environmental and economic disaster. The final toll for the prefecture was: 45 dead, 100,000 affected by the fire, 3,500 left homeless by the fire, 25,000 dead animals, 8,500 hectares of burnt forests, 2,300 hectares of burnt farmland.newspaper "TA NEA"; September 3, 2007 The archaeological site of

was seriously threatened, but not damaged.

Administration

The regional unit Elis is subdivided into 7 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox): * Ancient Olympia (4) * Andravida-Kyllini (6) * Andritsaina-Krestena (3) * Ilida (2) * Pineios (7) * Pyrgos (1) * Zacharo (5)

2011 reform

As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Elis was created out of the former

prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin ''Praefectura'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain international ...

Elis ( el, Νομός Ηλείας). The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.

Provinces

Before 2006, Elis was divided into two provinces:

Elis Province Elis ( el, Επαρχία Ηλείας – ''Eparchia Ileias'') was one of the provinces of the Elis Prefecture. The seat of administration was Pyrgos. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Andravida-Kyllini, Ilida, ...

and

Olympia Province Olympia Province ( el, Επαρχία Ολυμπίας) was one of the provinces of the Elis Prefecture, Greece. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Andritsaina-Krestena and Zacharo Zacharo ( el, Ζαχάρω) is a ...

. Elis Province contained Hollow or Lowland Elis and the northern part of Pisatis. It was the smallest, but most populous of the two provinces. The seat was Pyrgos. Olympia Province contained most of Pisatis and Triphylia. Its seat was Andritsaina, in the mountains; Krestena and Zacharo were the largest towns in the province.

Population

Elis is the third most populous regional unit of the Peloponnese, after

and Messinia. Between 70% to 75% of the population live on fertile lands away from the mountains. The population of ancient Elis (from 1000–1 BC) was in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 and reached 10,000 or 20,000 by 1 BC. The population reached 217,000 around 1981, but has been declining since. Pyrgos became the largest city having the population over the 10,000 mark in the mid-20th century, and above 20,000 in the late 1980s. The population in the northwest is growing while the population is declining in the southeast and east.

Economy

Agriculture

The primary source of agriculture is corn, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, livestock, watermelon, melon and some vegetables. There are 3 major operating tomato factories in Savalia ( Kyknos), Gastouni (

Pelargos Pelargos ( el, Πελαργός) is a Greek tomato company and it is one of the major tomato paste brands in the country. It is headquartered in Athens in the Athens Industrial Area west of downtown. It manufactures tomato pastes and are used o ...

), and north of Andravida ( Asteris). The most fertile land in Peloponnese is the plain that covers the northern part of Elis and the adjacent part of Achaea. Textiles used to be dominant in business from antiquity until the Middle Ages. In the 1950s, agriculture was the dominant occupation, except in the towns

Amaliada Amaliada ( el, Αμαλιάδα, Katharevousa: Ἀμαλιάς, ''Amaliás'') is a town and a former municipality in northwestern Elis, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Ilida, of which it i ...

and Pyrgos. Currently, one third of jobs in Elis is in the agricultural sector.

Fishing

Squid, and all types of fish are common in the waters of Elis. Fishing is mainly done in the southeastern

and in the

Bay of Patras A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a gulf, sea, sound, or bight. A cove is a small, circular bay with ...

. Most of the production is sent into Patras, some into Athens, some elsewhere in the world (with small production) and some into the local markets of Elis from Kyllini and Katakolo. Overfishing is a problem north of Lechaina.

History

In classical antiquity, Elis was an independent state, centred on the town Elis and included the sanctuary at

, where the

Ancient Olympic Games The ancient Olympic Games (Ὀλυμπιακοὶ ἀγῶνες; la, Olympia, neuter plural: "the Olympics") were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and were one of the Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. ...

were held between 776 BC and 394 AD. After 146 BC, Elis was part of the province

within the Roman Empire. In the

Migration Period The Migration Period was a period in European history marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories by various tribes, and the establishment of the post-Roman ...

(3rd - 4th century AD) Vandals and Visigoths rampaged through the region. After the final partition of the Roman Empire in 395 Elis was ruled by the Byzantine Empire. In the aftermath of the

Fourth Crusade The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III. The stated intent of the expedition was to recapture the Muslim-controlled city of Jerusalem, by first defeating the powerful Egyptian Ayyubid S ...

, crusaders from Western Europe (traditionally referred to as '' Franks'' in southeastern Europe) established the principality of Achaea in territory of the defeated Byzantine Empire, including Elis. They built castles like Chlemoutsi. The principality lasted from 1204 until 1460, when it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire ruled most of Greece until the

Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by ...

of 1821. The Venetian Republic controlled a few coastal towns in the 1490s, early 16th century and from 1686 until 1715. Battlegrounds of the Greek War of Independence in Elis include Chlemoutsi, Gastouni, Lala, Lampeia, Pyrgos and Andritsaina. As a part of independent Greece, Elis experienced an economic and agricultural upswing in the first decennia after the war of independence. Houses were built, and Pyrgos became a regional centre. Like most of the

, the area was unaffected during World War I. As a result of the

Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) The Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, ota, گرب جابهاسی, Garb Cebhesi) in Turkey, and the Asia Minor Campaign ( el, Μικρασιατική Εκστρατεία, Mikrasiatikí Ekstrateía) or the Asia Minor Catastrophe ( el, Μικ ...

, Greek refugees from Asia Minor settled into a.o. the area around Amaliada. World War II struck parts of Elis, houses were damaged, leaving people homeless, and afterwards the

Greek Civil War The Greek Civil War ( el, ο Eμφύλιος �όλεμος ''o Emfýlios'' 'Pólemos'' "the Civil War") took place from 1946 to 1949. It was mainly fought against the established Kingdom of Greece, which was supported by the United Kingdom ...

caused more destruction and economic decline. The return to democracy after the

Greek military junta of 1967–1974 The Greek junta or Regime of the Colonels, . Also known within Greece as just the Junta ( el, η Χούντα, i Choúnta, links=no, ), the Dictatorship ( el, η Δικτατορία, i Diktatoría, links=no, ) or the Seven Years ( el, η Ε ...

, and Greece joining the

European Communities The European Communities (EC) were three international organizations that were governed by the same set of institutions. These were the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom), and the ...

in 1981 stimulated economic development and improvement of infrastructure.

Transport

Roads

Elis has 200 km of highways. There are no limited-access freeways in the prefecture, but a freeway (A9) is being built between

Patras ) , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , demographics1_title2 = , demographics1_info2 = , timezone1 = EET , utc_offset1 = +2 , ...

and Kyparissia, planned opening 2012. The principal highways include: * E55 ( GR Highway 9), Patras- Pyrgos–Kyparissia, along the western coast of the Peloponnese * GR Highway 74, Pyrgos– Lagkadia,

Tripoli Tripoli or Tripolis may refer to: Cities and other geographic units Greece *Tripoli, Greece, the capital of Arcadia, Greece *Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in t ...

* GR Highway 76, Pyrgos– Andritsaina– Megalopolis

Railways

The total length of railway tracks in Elis is around 140 km. There is a railway line from Patras to Kalamata via Pyrgos, and a branch line from Pyrgos to

. Since January 2011, traffic is suspended on the line from Patras to Kalamata, and only the branch line from Pyrgos to Olympia has regular passenger trains.

Ports

The port of Kyllini in the northwest is the busiest port in Elis, with car ferries to the islands of Zakynthos and

Kefalonia Kefalonia or Cephalonia ( el, Κεφαλονιά), formerly also known as Kefallinia or Kephallenia (), is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece and the 6th largest island in Greece after Crete, Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes and Chios. It ...

. The port of Katakolo is an important stop for cruise ships, offering an opportunity for passengers to visit the site of Ancient Olympia. Other ports or harbors are small in size and fit only smaller boats.

Airports

Elis has a military airport near Andravida, north of Pyrgos. There are no public airports in the area. The nearest airport on land is in Kalamata.

Communications

Telephones became more common after the 1960s when the Hellenic Telecommunication Organization ( ΟΤΕ) created hundreds of kilometres of phone lines in the region. Now nearly every household has a telephone. The ΟΤΕ built tens of towers to connect more lines for the internet, telephones, and cell phones to increase the service. Lines began around the mid-20th century to enable more people to communicate by phones in the whole of Greece. There are also several communication towers throughout the prefecture. * ORT (''Olympiaki Radiofonia Tileorasi'') serves the whole of Elis. ORT is a Polis affiliate. There are several local radio stations, for instance RSA ( Radio Station of Amalias) from Amalias and Eleftheri Radiofonas Krestenas from Krestena. There are hundreds of transmitter towers scattered over Elis.

Persons

* Panagiotis Adraktas (b. September 28, 1948 in Kardamas), a New Democracy politician * Hristodoulos Aholos or Acholos * Panagiotis Anagnostopoulos, revolutionary leader *

Astydameia In Greek mythology, Astydamea or Astydamia (; Ancient Greek: Ἀστυδάμεια ''Astudámeia'', derived from ἄστυ ''ástu'', "town", and δαμάω ''damáo'', "to tame") is a name attributed to several individuals: * Astydamea, also known ...

Atreus In Greek mythology, Atreus ( , ; from ἀ-, "no" and τρέω, "tremble", "fearless", gr, Ἀτρεύς ) was a king of Mycenae in the Peloponnese, the son of Pelops and Hippodamia, and the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus. Collectively, hi ...

Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou (Greek: Διονυσία-Θεοδώρα Αυγερινοπούλου, born 10 September 1975) is a politician regarding environmental matters, a specialized attorney in International, Environmental and Sustainabl ...

among the youngest politicians of the Greek Parliament and UN Award recipient * Avgerinos family: **

Agamemnon Avgerinos Agamemnon Avgerinos () was a Greek politician and leader of the Greek War of Independence of 1821. He was born in Pyrgos, the son of Georgios Avgerinos, a descendant of the Pyrgiotiki family. He studied for a doctorate in Italy and was electe ...

Andreas Avgerinos Andreas Avgerinos () (1820–1895) was a Greek politician from Elis. He was born in Pyrgos, now in Elis, one year before the start of the Greek War of Independence. His father was Dimitrios Avgerinos who studied Pyrgioti families. He was a pr ...

Charalambos Avgerinos Charalmbos Avgerinos (Greek: Χαράλαμπος Αυγερινός, March 13, 1866 – July 27, 1942) was a Greek politician. He was the father of Nakis Avgerinos. He ran for mayor of Pyrgos. He preceded by Christos Stefanopoulos and was l ...

Dimitrios Avgerinos Demetrius is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek male given name ''Dēmḗtrios'' (), meaning “Demetris” - "devoted to goddess Demeter". Alternate forms include Demetrios, Dimitrios, Dimitris, Dmytro, Dimitri, Dimitrie, Dimitar, Dum ...

Nakis Avgerinos Nakis Avgerinos (, 1911 – November 4, 2002) was a Greece, Greek politician. He was born in Pyrgos, Elis, Pyrgos, Elis (regional unit), Elis, the son of Charalampos Avgerinos, mayor of Pyrgos, a relative of the old Pyrgiotiki family dominate ...

** Petros Avgerinos * Dionyssios N. Bokos, writer of ''Myrsini'', ''Nihta Pepromenou'', etc. *Andreas Bratis, writer of ''To Vartholomo'' (''The Vartholonio'') *Christopoulos family: **

Agamemnon Christopoulos In Greek mythology, Agamemnon (; grc-gre, Ἀγαμέμνων ''Agamémnōn'') was a king of Mycenae who commanded the Greeks during the Trojan War. He was the son, or grandson, of King Atreus and Queen Aerope, the brother of Menelaus, the husb ...

, politician, brother of Asimakis **

Anastasios Christopoulos Anastasios Christopoulos ( el, Αναστάσιος Χριστόπουλος; 1805 – 1854) was a lawyer and a Greek revolutionary leader of the Greek War of Independence. Biography Christopoulos was born in Andritsaina, the son of Christos C ...

, revolutionary leader ** Asimakis Christopoulos, politicians, brother of Tzannetos ** Charalampos Christopoulos, politician **Christos Christopoulos, father of Anastasios ** Tzannetos Christopoulos, politician, son of Anastasios *

Christos Daralexis Christos Daralexis (Greek: Χρήστος Δαραλέξης, 1870 - 1951) was a Greek historian, a politician and a theatrical writer. Biography Daralexis was born in Pyrgos, Elis, and was a relative of the Avgerinos family. He was a well ...

, journalist *

Themistoklis Daralexis Themistocles or Themistoklis may refer to several people: * Themistocles, Athenian soldier and statesman ** the Decree of Themistocles, ancient Greek inscription, purported to have been issued under the guidance of Themistocles * Themistocles Anas ...

, politician * Vyronas Davos, a writer, historian and a poet, he published works on Ilia during the Frankish, Ottoman, Venetian periods, the Greek War of Independence and the Modern period * Dionyssis Diakos, revolutionary leader *

Ioannis Diakos Ioannis Diakos (Greek: Ιωάννης Διάκος, 1805-1887) was a Greek revolutionary leader during the Greek War of Independence. He was a chief of Pyrgos and battled during the Greek War of Independence and at the time, he was a general of ...

, revolutionary leader * Takis Doxas, writer *Epeus, ancient mythological legend *

Ioannis Giannopoulos Ioannis or Ioannes ( el, Ιωάννης), shortened to Giannis or Yannis (Γιάννης) is a Greek given name cognate with Johannes and John and the Arabic name Yahya . Notable people with the name include: * Ioannis I, Tzimiskis, Byzantine Emper ...

, politician * Kostis Gontikas (b. 1934), politician * Dimitrios Gontikas, (1888–1967) a politician and former president of the Greek parliament *

Aristeidis Griboutis Aristides (530–468 BCE) was an Athenian soldier and statesman who fought in the Battle of Marathon. Aristides, also transliterated as Aristeides or Aristeidis ( el, Ἀριστείδης), may refer also to: People *Aristides of Thebes (4th ce ...

, journalist *

Miltiadis Iatridis Miltiadis Iatridis ( el, Μιλτιάδης Ιατρίδης; 1906–1960) was a Greek naval officer active during World War II. He was born in the village Sofiko in the Peloponnese. He entered the Hellenic Naval Academy in 1921 and graduated i ...

, revolutionary leader *

Nikos Kahtitsis Nikos ( el, Νίκος, ''Níkos'') is a Greek given name. It originates from Greek ''Nikolaos'', which means "victory of the people".Liddell & Scott, Abridged Greek Lexicon Although used as a proper first name, Nikos is also a popular nickname of ...

, writer * Antonios Kalogeropoulos, a revolutionary leader from Myrsini (then Souleimanaga) * Athanassios Kanellopoulos, politician * Simon Karas, music historian *

Andreas Karkavitsas Andreas Karkavitsas or Carcavitsas (Greek: Ανδρέας Καρκαβίτσας; Lechaina, 1866 – Marousi, October 10, 1922) was a Greek novelist. He was a naturalist, like Alexandros Papadiamantis. Biography He was born in 1866 in the north ...

* Kostas Kazakos, actor *

Dimitrios Kioussopoulos Demetrius is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek male given name ''Dēmḗtrios'' (), meaning “Demetris” - "devoted to goddess Demeter". Alternate forms include Demetrios, Dimitrios, Dimitris, Dmytro, Dimitri, Dimitrie, Dimitar, Dumit ...

, former

Prime Minister of Greece The prime minister of the Hellenic Republic ( el, Πρωθυπουργός της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας, Prothypourgós tis Ellinikís Dimokratías), colloquially referred to as the prime minister of Greece ( el, Πρωθυ� ...

Dionyssos Kokkinos Dionysios Kokkinos (Greek: Διονύσιος Κόκκινος; 1884–1967) was a Greek historian, journalist, academic and writer. Early life and education Kokkinos was born in Pyrgos in Elis, Greece. His father, Antonios Kokkinos, was a ...

, writer *

Dimitrios Korkolis Demetrius is the Latinization of names, Latinized form of the Ancient Greek male name, male Greek given names, given name ''Dēmḗtrios'' (), meaning “Demetris” - "devoted to goddess Demeter". Alternate forms include Demetrios, Dimitrios, ...

, politician and mayor of Pyrgos * Krestenitis family: **

Aristeidis Krestenitis Aristides (530–468 BCE) was an Athenian soldier and statesman who fought in the Battle of Marathon. Aristides, also transliterated as Aristeides or Aristeidis ( el, Ἀριστείδης), may refer also to: People * Aristides of Thebes (4th ...

Georgios Krestenitis Georgios Krestenitis (Greek: Γεώργιος Κρεστενίτης) was a Greece, Greek politician from Elis (regional unit), Elis. He descended from the famous Krestenitis (disambiguation), Krestenitis family which had many politicians. He w ...

, two politicians **

Ioannis Krestenis (elder) Ioannis or Ioannes ( el, Ιωάννης), shortened to Giannis or Yannis (Γιάννης) is a Greek given name cognate with Johannes and John and the Arabic name Yahya . Notable people with the name include: * Ioannis I, Tzimiskis, Byzantine Emper ...

** Ioannis Krestenitis (younger), politician **

Lykourgos Krestenitis Lykourgos Krestenitis ( el, Λυκούργος Κρεστενίτης, 1793–1873) was a Greek politician during the early decades of the modern Greek state. Krestenitis was born in Pyrgos in Elis in 1793,His original name was not Lykourgos ...

(1793–1873), president of the Greek parliament ** Stamatis Krestenitis, a Greek revolutionary leader * Christos Laskaris, poet *Liourdis family: **

Ioannis Liourdis Ioannis Liourdis (Greek: Ιωάννης Λιούρδης, ca. 1800 in Pyrgos - 1899) was a Greek politician. He was born in Pyrgos around 1800 and descended from an old family of Pyrgos which had Frankish Frankish may refer to: * Franks, a ...

, politician ** Spyros Liourdis, Greek revolutionary leader **

Georgios Georgios (, , ) is a Greek name derived from the word ''georgos'' (, , "farmer" lit. "earth-worker"). The word ''georgos'' (, ) is a compound of ''ge'' (, , "earth", "soil") and ''ergon'' (, , "task", "undertaking", "work"). It is one of the most ...

and Petros Mitzos, revolutionary leaders *

Georgios Nikoloutsopoulos Georgios (, , ) is a Greek name derived from the word ''georgos'' (, , "farmer" lit. "earth-worker"). The word ''georgos'' (, ) is a compound of ''ge'' (, , "earth", "soil") and ''ergon'' (, , "task", "undertaking", "work"). It is one of the mo ...

, a revolutionary leader from Myrsini (then Souleimanaga) * Alexandros Panagoulis * Georgios Papandreou, an unrelated historian * Theodoros Papasimakopoulos, revolutionary leader *

Ioannis Pesmazoglou Ioannis Pesmazoglou ( el, Ιωάννης Πεσμαζόγλου; 1857–1906) was a Greek banker, economist and politician. Ioannis Pesmazoglou was from Constantinople (now Istanbul), although his family originate from Enderlik, in Cappadocia. P ...

* Takis Sinopoulos, poet * Sisinis family: **

Chrysanthos Sisinis (died 1845) Chrysanthos Sisinis (Greek: Χρύσανθος Σισίνης, died 1845) was a Greek revolutionary leader and a politician. He was born in Gastouni and was the son of Georgios Sisinis. He fought at the battles of Patras, Athens, Messolongi a ...

, a Greek revolutionary leader and a politician * Georgios Sisinis, a Greek revolutionary leader * Christos Stefanopoulos, politician *Theodoridis family: ** Thallis Theodoridis (elder), a Greek revolutionary leader ** Thallis Theodoridis (younger), a politician **

Vasileios Theodoridis Vasileios Theodoridis (Greek: Βασίλειος Θεοδωρίδης) was a Greek journalist and anarchist. Theodoridis was born in Pyrgos and studied law in Athens. He was descended from the famous Theodoridis family and was the son of Arist ...

, journalist * Konstantinos Varouxis, journalist, ''Patris'' writer * Leonidas Varouxis, journalist, ''Patris'' writer *

Alexis Vilaetis Alexis may refer to: People Mononym * Alexis (poet) ( – ), a Greek comic poet * Alexis (sculptor), an ancient Greek artist who lived around the 3rd or 4th century BC * Alexis (singer) (born 1968), German pop singer * Alexis (comics) (1946–19 ...

, a 19th-century politician who was elected in 1868 * Charalambos Vilaetis, a Greek revolutionary leader * Lysandros Vilaetis, a chief of Pyrgos and a politician * Nikolaos Vilaetis *

Panagis Vourloumis Panagis Vourloumis ( el, Παναγής Βουρλούμης; 1867–1950) was a Greeks, Greek politician, lawyer, economist and a Minister for Economy and Finance (Greece), finance minister. He was one of the main collaborators of Eleftherios Ve ...

* Panagiotis Kondylis, philosopher, writer and editor * Dimitris Eleas, writer living in London *

Panos Karnezis Panagiotis Karnezis ( el, Παναγιώτης (Πάνος) Καρνέζης; born 1967 in Amaliada), known as Panos Karnezis, is a Greek writer. Born in Greece, he moved to England in 1992 to study Engineering. He was later awarded a M.A. in ...

, writer living in London *For the kings of Elis (now Ilia), see section *

Pyrrho Pyrrho of Elis (; grc, Πύρρων ὁ Ἠλεῖος, Pyrrhо̄n ho Ēleios; ), born in Elis, Greece, was a Greek philosopher of Classical antiquity, credited as being the first Greek skeptic philosopher and founder of Pyrrhonism. Life ...

, father of Skepticism

Sporting teams

* Aias - Gastouni * Asteras - Amaliada * Dafni - Andravida * Iliakos - Lechaina *

Olympiacos Zacharos Olympiacós Sýndesmos Filáthlon Peiraiós ( el, Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς, Olympic Club of Fans of Piraeus) is a major multi-sport club based in Piraeus, Greece. Olympiacos is parent to a number ...

- Zacharo * Panileiakos - Pyrgos * PAO Varda - Varda

In popular culture

* The central action of Maeve Binchy's romance novel, ''

Nights of Rain and Stars ''Nights of Rain and Stars'' is a 2004 novel by the Irish author Maeve Binchy. Plot In a small town in Greece, a group of people witness a boating accident and subsequently become tangled in each other's lives. Thomas is a California university ...

'' (2004), is set in Agia Anna, Elis. * Elis is known within the Greek internet community for the strange or tragicomic news stories that are reported from the region, similar to the "

Florida Man Florida Man is an Internet meme first popularized in 2013, referring to an alleged prevalence of male persons performing irrational, maniacal, or absurd actions in the U.S. state of Florida. Internet users typically submit links to news storie ...

" meme.

Notes

References

*''I Ileia Dia Meson ton Aionon'' (''Ilia In The Middle Of The Age'') Georgios Papandreou *''Ston Pyrgo kai stin Ileia tou 1821-1930'' (''Στον Πύργο και στην Ηλεία του 1821-1930'' = ''In Pyrgos And In Ilia (1821–1930)'') Vyronas Davos 1996 *''Ilia Before The Revolution of 1821'' (''η Ηλεία πρίν την επανάσταση του 1821'' = ''I Ileia prin tin epanastasi tou 1821'') Vyronas Davos 1997 *''The Life Of The Inhabitants Of Ilia During The Turkish Rule'' (''η ζωή των κατοίκων της Ηλείας κατα την τουρκοκρατία'' = ''I zoi ton katoikon tis Ileias kata ton tourkokratia'') Vyronas Davos 1997 *''Toponmia tis Ileias'' (''Τοπονύμια της Ηλείας'' = ''Toponym of Elis'') Vyronas Davos

External links

Amaliada City Web Portal- Η Διαδικτυακή Πύλη της Αμαλιάδας (''I Diadiktyaki Pyli tis Amaliadas'') - www.amaliada.netThe Prefectural administration of Ilia
(in Greek)

(in Greek)
Structurae: Structural engineering and architecture Guide to Ilia Prefecture
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elis (Regional Unit) Prefectures of Greece 1899 establishments in Greece Regional units of Western Greece Peloponnese