Achelous River
| Acheloos | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country | Greece |
| Basin features | |
| Main source | Pindus mountains |
| River mouth |
Ionian Sea 38°19′53″N 21°6′5″E / 38.33139°N 21.10139°ECoordinates: 38°19′53″N 21°6′5″E / 38.33139°N 21.10139°E |
| Basin size | 5,472 km2 (2,113 sq mi) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 220 km (137 mi) |
| Discharge |
|
The Achelous (Greek: Αχελώος, Ancient Greek: Ἀχελῷος Akhelôios), also Acheloos, is a river in western Greece. It formed the boundary between Acarnania and Aetolia of antiquity. It empties into the Ionian Sea. In ancient times its spirit was venerated as the river god Achelous.
Herodotus, taking notice of the shoreline-transforming power of the Acheloos River, even compared it to the Nile in this respect:
The previous name was Thoas. It is rarely known as Thestios and Axenos.
The river Achelous begins at about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation on the eastern slope of Lakmos mountain in the Pindus range, near the village Anthousa in the westernmost part of the Trikala regional unit. One of its first tributaries is the Aspropotamos, meaning the white river.
The river flows generally southwards, and forms part of the boundary between the regional units of Arta and Trikala, which is also the boundary between Epirus and Thessaly. Further downstream, it forms the boundary of Arta and Karditsa, and further of Aetolia-Acarnania and Evrytania. The river runs into the Kremasta reservoir, which is also fed by the rivers Agrafiotis and Megdovas.
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Wikipedia