Karpenisi

Karpenisi (Greek: Καρπενήσι, Greek pronunciation: [karpeˈnisi]) is a town in central Greece. It is the capital of the regional unit of Evrytania. Karpenisi is situated in the valley of the river Karpenisiotis (Καρπενησιώτης), a tributary of the Megdovas, in the southern part of the Pindus Mountains. Mount Tymfristos (2,315 m elevation) lies directly to the north of the town, and the foothills of mount Kaliakouda are in the south. Karpenisi has a ski resort and is a popular destination, especially during winter. It is called Switzerland of Greece for the resemblance with the mountainous country and its beauty, atypical for a Mediterranean place.[2]

Karpenisi
Καρπενήσι
Part of the town
Part of the town
Karpenisi is located in Greece
Karpenisi
Karpenisi
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°55′N 21°47′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCentral Greece
Regional unitEvrytania
Government
 • MayorNikos Souliotis(New Democracy)
Area
 • Municipality948.6 km2 (366.3 sq mi)
 • Municipal unit250.9 km2 (96.9 sq mi)
Elevation
960 m (3,150 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipality
13,105
 • Municipality density14/km2 (36/sq mi)
 • Municipal unit
8,575
 • Municipal unit density34/km2 (89/sq mi)
Community
[1]
 • Population7,348 (2011)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
361 00
Area code(s)22370
Vehicle registrationΚΗ
Websitewww.karpenissi.gr

Etymology

The name Karpenisi derives from the Aromanian word kárpinu[3] (Carpinus betulus) + the ending -iş. The Greek spelling "Καρπενήσι" is influenced by folk etymology, the second combining form appearing to be "νησί" (island, pronounced [niˈsi]). The first mention of the name is traced back to an Ottoman tax ledger of 1454-1455.[4]

Municipality
A view
The high school

The municipality Karpenisi was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[5]

  • Domnista (Ampliani, Domnista, Krikello, Mesokomi, Psiana, Roska, Stavloi)
  • Fourna (Fourna, Kleisto, Vracha)
  • Karpenisi (Agia Vlacherna, Agios Andreas, Agios Nikolaos, Fidakia, Kalesmeno, Karpenisi, Koryschades, Myriki, Papparousi, Pavlopoulo, Sella, Stefani, Stenoma, Voutyro)
  • Ktimenia (Agia Triada, Agios Charalampos, Chochlia, Domianoi, Petralona)
  • Potamia (Aniada, Chelidonas, Dermati, Karitsa, Klafsi, Megalo Chorio, Mikro Chorio, Mouzilo, Nostimo, Sygkrellos)
  • Prousos (Alestia, Aspropyrgos, Esochoria, Kastania, Katavothra, Prodromos, Prousos, Sarkini, Stavrochori, Tornos, Velota)

The municipality has an area of 948.570 km2, the municipal unit 250.887 km2.[6]

Mayor of Karpenisi
  • Kostas Bakoyannis, 1 January 2011 – 31 August 2014
  • Nikos Souliotis, since 1 September 2014 (current)

History

Karpenisi has a lot of history in the region. In antiquity, Karpenisi was known as Oechalia and ruled by king Evrytos, inventor of the bow.[7]

During the Greek Revolution of 1821, the towns mountainous location was of strategic importance for central Roumeli.[7] During more recent times, the region took part in WWI and WWII, becoming the place where the armed National Resistance was initiated.[7]

Climate

Due to its altitude, Karpenisi has a temperate climate (Köppen: C), with abundant rainfall year round and much cooler temperatures. Snowfall is frequent and heavy in winter, whereas summers are pleasantly warm with cool nights.

Climate data for Karpenisi town weather station (998m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 6
(43)		 8.9
(48.0)		 12.1
(53.8)		 14.4
(57.9)		 20.3
(68.5)		 24.5
(76.1)		 27.4
(81.3)		 28.5
(83.3)		 24.2
(75.6)		 19.9
(67.8)		 13
(55)		 10.5
(50.9)		 17.5
(63.4)
Average low °C (°F) −1.7
(28.9)		 0.2
(32.4)		 2.2
(36.0)		 4.4
(39.9)		 8.5
(47.3)		 12.7
(54.9)		 15.5
(59.9)		 16.4
(61.5)		 13.3
(55.9)		 9
(48)		 5.5
(41.9)		 2
(36)		 7.3
(45.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 164.7
(6.48)		 108.7
(4.28)		 107.5
(4.23)		 101.2
(3.98)		 58.5
(2.30)		 54.8
(2.16)		 62.2
(2.45)		 39.7
(1.56)		 171.6
(6.76)		 76.7
(3.02)		 145
(5.7)		 179.7
(7.07)		 1,270.3
(49.99)
Source: http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/karpenisitown/ (2019 - 2020 averages)

Historical population
YearMunicipal unitMunicipality
19815,230–
19918,185–
20019,390–
20118,57513,105

Sister cities

Notable people

Notable events

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Dana Facaros; Linda Theodorou (2003). Greece. New Holland Publishers. p. 382. ISBN 978-1-86011-898-2.
  3. Oikonomou Konstantinos, Zagori toponym, Doctoral thesis, Ioannina 1986, p. 752-753.
  4. Beldiceanu, Nicoară; Vasiliu Năsturel, Petre Ștefan (1991). "Η Θεσσαλία στην περίοδο 1454/55–1506". ΘΕΣΣΑΛΙΚΟ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ (in Greek). 19: 105–106.
  5. "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  6. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2015.
  7. "History - municipality of Karpenisi". Karpenisi. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  8. "Karpenisi, Greece". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  9. "Σε μια συγκινητική τελετή στην πλατεία Μάρκου Μπότσαρη αδελφοποιήθηκαν οι Δήμοι Ι.Π. Μεσολογγίου και Καρπενησίου". 8 August 2022.
  10. "Διδυμοποιήσεις".
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