Argolis prefecture

Argolis (Greek, Modern: Αργολίδα Argolida, Ancient/Katharevousa: Αργολίς -- still the official, formal name) is one of the fifty-one prefectures of Greece. It is within located in the eastern part of the Peloponnese. Most arable land lies in the central part. Its primary agricultural resources are leeks, melons, oranges, and olives. Beaches are founded in the south and east. Mountains and hills dominate the west, northeast and east.

It is bounded by Arcadia to the west and southwest, Corinthia to the north, the Saronic Gulf and the Attica prefecture and the Troezen area to the east and southeast by water, and the Argolic Gulf to the south. (The Argolid of ancient times included Troezen).

Its mountain ranges include Lyrkeia and Trachy in the northwest.

History:

For the ancient history of the Argolid see Argos.

From 1833 to 1899, the prefecture was part Argolidocorinthia, which included Hydra, Spetses and Kythira. It joined Corinthia to form Argolidocorinthia again in 1909. Forty years later, in 1949, the prefecture was finally separated from Corinthia. See also Argolidocorinthia.

In early 1998, a flash flood carrying muddy water swept through the valley near Argos and devastated citrus crops and other area agriculture, including olives and other crops, and grazing areas. Damages were several million drachmas, then still the currency of Greece.

Persons

Achilleas Paraschos, poet
Jim Londos, wrestler born in Koutsopodi
Manolis Chiotis, singer and composer descended from a Nafplio family
Konstantinos Logothetopoulos, distinguished doctor who became PM of a quisling government
Grigoris Farakos, Communist politician born in Nafplio