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| Karditsa
Prefecture |
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The prefecture of Karditsa is on
the South-Western part of Thessaly. It borders with
the prefectures of Trikala, Larissa, Fthiotida,
Evritania and Arta. The distance between the capital
of the prefecture, Karditsa, with a population of
37,000 people, and Athens is approximately 300 km
and Thessaloniki 220 km. Other important towns are
Sophades, Palamas and Mouzaki. The size of the prefecture
is 2,636 sq km. |
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| It is the 2% of the total
area of the country. Almost half of the area of the prefecture
(47.7%) is covered by the lowlands. The remaining area
is mountainous (44%) or semi-mountainous (8.3%). According
to the 2001 census, the population of the prefecture numbers
129,536 people. It is the 1.18% of the population of the
country and produces 0.9% of the GDP. |
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Karditsa Lowlands
Agriculture is the basic productive activity in the lowlands
of the prefecture. The arable area is 1,100,000 stremmata,
out of which 750,000 stremmata are irrigated. The main
product is cotton. Other important products for the local
economy are wheat, corn, beetroot, grapes- wine and cattle-farm
products.
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The mountainous area
of the Prefecture
The Agrafa Mountains dominate the mountainous landscape.
The highest tops are: Karava (2,184 m.), Ntelidimi (2,163
m.), Voutsikaki (2,154m.), while the Acheloos River (Aspropotamos)
is the biggest and most important river. The mountainous
area of the Prefecture is nowadays a tourist destination
which is rapidly developing. The most important destination
is Plastira Lake. Other areas of interest are: Argithea
- Acheloos and Redina - Smokovo regions.
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| Monasteries and Bridges
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The religious monuments are many and
important. The male monasteries of Korona, Pelekiti,
Petra, the Sacred Monastery of Spilia in Eastern Argithea
and of Sotiros in Vraggiana of the Municipality of Acheloos
are open and accept visitors. You can also pay a visit
to the female Monasteries of Kimiseos Theotokou (Dormition
of Virgin Mary), Redina, the Sacred Monastery of Ag.
Georgios, Mavrommati and Agia Triada in Drakotrypa.
The Prefecture features more than 30 stone bridges;
the most important ones are located in the region of
Argithea.
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Flora and Fauna
There is a big variety of ecosystems, of plant and animal
lives. Up to the altitude of 700 meters holm-oaks, phillyrea
latifolia and arbutus (Arbutus sp.) prevail. In higher
altitudes, there is an abundance of forests of oaks,
chestnut trees and firs (Abies sp.). Hornbeans (Carpinus
betulus), ostries (Ostria carpinifolia), cornel-trees
(Cornus mas), maple-trees (Acer sp.) etc grow amongst
them.
67 kinds of birds have been recorded in the area. The
rare birds of prey: vulture (Gyps fulvus) and war eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos) are amongst them. There is also
a big variety of invertebrate, small mammals, mainly
carnivorous, rodents.
There are wild trouts (Salmo trutta), otters (Lutra
lutra), frogs (Rana dalmatina, Rana balcanica) and mermans
(Triturus campestris) in the mountainous rivers.
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Texts: Kandilas Elias |
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" Our visit
in the area will remain unforgettable. Thank you for
the instructions. Ķik and Mary Charitos" |
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" Unforgettable
experience I recommend it to all. Alex Papannikolaou"
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" One of
the most beautiful areas I have visited. Zoe Alexiou" |
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