Α. General

The prefecture of Ilia is part of the western Greek periphery and has a total area of 2618 km² and a population of 179429. It occupies 23.06% of the total area of the western Greek periphery and 25.35% of the total population (3^rd in size). Its average demographic density is 69 persons / km². (Source: National Statistic Agency).

It occupies the NW part of Peloponisos and it borders with the prefecture of Achaia in the NE, with the prefecture of Arcadia SE, on the south with the Prefecture of Messinia, while at the western side is the Ionian Sea.

The capital city is Pirgos with a population of 18437. The second largest city is Amaliad with a population of 15232 followed by Gastouni, Krestena, Zaharo (Source: National Statistic Agency). There also several important towns and villages. 19 km eastwards of Pirgos, on a valley between the hill of Kronio, the river of Alfeios and the tributary Kladeo lye one of the most important archaelogical sites of Greece, Ancient Olympia with an average number of visitors at around 800 people in 1998.

The county is divided in two provinces: 1. Province of Ilia 2. Province of Olympia.

In regards to the Program “Kapodistrias”the local municipal government was assembled in the prefecture by 22 Municipalities.

According to the Ministry of Interior the new municipalities, along with its departments and the total acres area are as follows below:

Β. Natural environment and population

The patterns of the territory are made up of expanded plainsmen that form the plain of Ilia, the largest in Peloponissos. Only the area of Olympia is considered mountainous. Larger massifs are found on the border between the prefecture of Ilia and the prefecture of Arcadia. There exist the mountainside of Erymanthou with Lambia being the highest peak at 1797 m and Skiadovouni. On the south are located Foloi Latithas and Minthi.

Specifically, according to the National Statistics Agency of Greece upon the total area of the prefecture (1517 km acres) are plains, 555 km acres are semi-mountainous and 546 km acres are mountainous bas-relief.

The hydrographic system of the prefecture is located mainly on the Alfio and Pinio rivers, which are the largest (the dam of the Alfio river is one the biggest earthen dams of Europe) have been exploited mainly in the watering of the agricultural area. The lakes of Kaifa, Agoulinitsa and Mourias (the last 2 have been desiccated). Remarkable though is the plantation and sea life of the Kotichiou lagoon.

A multitude of therapeutic springs are found in the area which include: Killini, Kaifa, Frasinias and Pournariou of Xilokeras.

The admirable natural coastline portrays a gulf. There are many beautiful beaches such as Glifa, Bouka, and Manolada etc. The total coastline is 150 km.

In general, the natural environment of the prefecture is described to be rich in flora and fauna, pine trees and cypress trees on the hills and valleys, while picturesque villages are located everywhere in the prefecture.

The climate is that of the Mediterranean region which means warm with a relatively high percentage of rainfall and fluctuations of temperature.

Based on the 1991 census, the population of the prefecture of Ilia was 179429. It composes 1.7% of the total population of Greece indicating 12% rise opposed to 2.9% reduction, which the prefecture had produced in the 1981 census. The above-mentioned rise was greater than that of the total western periphery (707687 population an 8% rise) the density being 62 citizens per km² . The percentage in rise of the population was even greater than that of the total in Greece (which was +5.3% a 77.7 citizens per km² density. The prefecture of Ilia displays a 69 citizens per km² density (1981: 61 citizens per km² density)

The reducing inclination is stressed considering that the high and augmenting percentage of a natural decline in population (the predominance of births per 1000 residents: -3.5% in 1997 and -4% in 1998) in connection with the low ratio of students in Primary schools per 1000 residents (54 compared to the average in Greece which is 61).

The population in 1991 was registered as being 57.9% rural, 24.8% urban and 18.3% semi urban a fact, which indicates a strong position at the primary division in the economy of the prefecture.

From its geographical positioning, we can notice a strong gathering of people in urban areas and the valley of the prefecture of Ilia, the same year 151245 or a percentage of 84.3% of the total population was registered in the flat surfaced areas, 15.268 residents 8.5% in the semi-mountainous areas and 12.916 residents (7.2%) in the mountainous regions.

The evolution of the division of the population in the above mentioned areas during 1981-1991 decade portrayed the following chart:

In addition well-being indicators, which show quantitatively the general level of standard of living in the prefecture:

Income per resident: in 1999 760000 GRD / resident.

Per capita bank accounts: in 1999 was 0.94 million GRD with the average being in the rest of the country 1.57 million GRD.

Passenger cars: in 1998 8 out of 100 residents owned cars and the prefecture shares 39.9 of the total average of Greece.

Telephone lines: in 1997 35.6 connections per 100 residents, while during the same year the total connections in Greece where 51.7 per 100 residents.

Consumption of electricity: in 1997 the household consumption per resident was 0.7 Mwh or 65% average of the country.

Construction permits: New homes per 100 residents was in 1997 0.8 as opposed to 0.9 of the total in Greece.

Doctors: The indicator portrays one of the lowest ratios in the whole country. Specifically, in 1996, 1.5 doctors per 1000 residents (as opposed to 4.0 of the total in Greece).

High school students: In 1998 the indicator showed that in every 100o residents there was 59 students putting the prefecture at the 39^th position in Greece.