Lakonia prefecture Greece
Laconia prefecture occupies the North part of the Peloponnese. It borders N and NE with the Prefecture of Arcadia, W with the Prefecture of Messinia, SW is bathed by the Messinian Gulf, N by the Laconic Gulf and East by the Myrtoan Sea.
It has an area of 3,636 sq. Km. And a population of 94,916 inhabitants. There are small islands along its beaches. The main ones are: Karavopetra, Petronisia, Trinisia and Elafonisos.
The capital of the prefecture is Sparta. Administratively it is divided into four provinces: Gythio with Gythio as its capital, Epidaurus Limira with its capital Molai, Lakedaimonos with its capital Sparta and Itilou with its capital Areopolis.
GEOGRAPHY OF LACONIA
Soil
Most of the territory of Laconia is mountainous and semi-mountainous. Analytically, its distribution in categories is as follows: 25.6% lowland, 37.8% semi-mountainous and 36.6% mountainous.
Mountains
A large part of the prefecture is covered by the two large mountains of Taygetos and Parnonas. The highest peak of Taygetos is the Prophet Elias (2,404 m.), Part of which is located in the prefecture of Messinia. The Parnon mountain range is separated from Taygetos by the plain of Evrotas. In other words, they are parallel mountain ranges. Its highest peak is Megali Tourla (1,935 m.) On the border with N. Arcadia.
Plains
The only plain of Laconia is that of Evrotas, which starts from Sparta as a narrow valley and descends widening to the Laconian Gulf. Rivers: In Laconia there is only one river, the Evrotas, which originates in the N of the Megalopolis plateau and receives in its course many small tributaries. Its main tributary is the Vasilopotamos.
Coasts
The beaches of Laconia present many bays. It includes a part of the eastern shores of the Messinian Gulf, the Laconic Gulf and the eastern shores of the Myrtos Sea. Two large peninsulas are formed, of Tainaros and Maleas.
Forests
Both large mountain ranges of the prefecture are overgrown with forests. The main forest trees, which produce rich and good wood, are the fir, pine and oak. Climate: The climate of the prefecture is temperate. The winter is mild, except for the clear mountain places, and the summer is cool.
Map
See map of Laconia
ECONOMY
The economy of Laconia is mainly rural. In the lowlands the agricultural production is arboriculture and especially oil and citrus. There is also a systematic cultivation of carob, medicinal plants and aromatic plants.
In the mountainous areas the main economic factor is livestock, mainly that of dairy animals and poultry. In the prefecture there are small industrial enterprises for processing agricultural products and making juices. Fishing, although highly developed in the Laconic Gulf, covers only the needs of the region.
HISTORY
Laconia was first inhabited in the Neolithic Age. One of the most important events in its history is the founding of Ancient Sparta in the 11th century. BC From there on the history of the prefecture is linked to the history of its capital, which emerged as a leading city in Greece after its victory in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC).
In Roman times it fell into decline. In Byzantine times it was a province of the Peloponnese Theme and was called Lacedaemonia. With their submission to the Franks he experienced great prosperity, especially with the establishment of the Despotate of Moria, which was based in Mystras.
In the 17th c. was occupied by the Turks, from whom it was liberated in 1827.