Thesprotia

Thesprotia (Θεσπρωτία) is one of the prefectures of Greece in the periphery of Epirus. Its capital is Igoumenitsa. Thesprotia is bounded by Albania to the north, the prefecture of Ioannina to the east and Preveza prefecture in the south. It is one of the smallest Greek prefectures in terms of area and population. There are three rural inhabitants for every two urban citizens.

Much of the prefecture is mountainous. Most farmland is located in the valleys in the central, southern and the western part. Two of Thesprotia's rivers are legendary: The Kalamas River (Thiames) and the Acheron of Greek mythology, lined with reedbeds and plane trees.

In 1996, construction began on a new highway, Greece Interstate 4, officially called Egnatia Odos. The road, which links the Ionian coast to Thessaloniki, was fully paved by the early 2000s and opened to traffic in 2004. Other important roads in Thesprotia include the GR-19 and GR-6.

History
The territory of the modern prefecture remained under Ottoman rule until 1913, when it was conquered by the Greek army during the First Balkan War. Until 1937, when the separate prefecture of Thesprotia was established, the area was part of the Prefecture of Ioannina.

Climate
Thesprotia's coastal climate is Mediterranean. Cold winters of a semi-alpine climate dominate the eastern portion and higher elevations.

Economy
Thesprotia is one of the poorest regions of Greece. The main economical activities are agriculture and tourism, with agriculture as historically the main economical activity.

Tourism
As Greece attracts more than 16 million tourists each year, a portion of tourists visit Thesprotia and contribute to the its economy life. The main tourist attractions of the region are its beaches, which are quite numerous. Other tourist attractions are the remains of ancient cities such as Nicopolis, Titani and Philiates.

Infrastructure
In the mid to late 1990s, the construction of the bypass of GR-5/E55 began and was opened several years later, along with a stretch of Greece Interstate 21, which will attach with the planned Ionia Odos superhighway sometime in the mid to late 2010s. The new 670 km Egnatia Highway, which serves Northern Greece, terminates at Igoumenitsa, the seat of the prefecture. In 2009, construction began for a new highway that will connect Igoumenitsa and Saranda, passing by Sagiada and Konispol. The port of Igoumenitsa serves ferry routes to the islands of Corfu and Paxoi (includes Antipaxoi), as well as Italy.

Area codes

 * 26640 - Filiates
 * 26650 - Igoumenitsa
 * 26660 - Paramythia

Postal codes

 * 460
 * 00 through 29 - not used
 * 30 - Margariti
 * 31 - Acherontas abd Samonida-Glykis
 * 32 through 99 - not used
 * 461 - Igoumenitsa, Paraoptamos, Perdika and Syvpotes
 * 462 - Paramythia
 * 463 - Filiates and Sagiada
 * 464 through 469 - not used

Transport

 * Greece Interstate 6, W, Cen., E
 * Via Egnatia, W, Cen., E
 * Greece Interstate 19, W, SW, S, Cen.

The port of Igoumenitsa serves ferry routes to the islands of Corfu and Paxoi (includes Antipaxoi), as well as Italy.

Provinces
Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.
 * Province of Thyamida - Igoumenitsa
 * Province of Filiates - Filiates
 * Province of Margariti - Margariti
 * Province of Souli - Paramythia