Elis (regional unit)

Elis Περιφερειακή ενότητα Ηλείας
Regional unit
Municipalities of Elis
Elis within Greece
Coordinates: 37°40′N 21°30′E / 37.667°N 21.500°E / 37.667; 21.500Coordinates: 37°40′N 21°30′E / 37.667°N 21.500°E / 37.667; 21.500
Country	Greece
Region	Western Greece
Capital	Pyrgos
Area
• Total	2,618 km2 (1,011 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	159,300
• Density	61/km2 (160/sq mi)
Postal codes	27x xx
Area codes	262x0
ISO 3166 code	GR-14
Car plates	ΗΑ
Website	www.1724.syzefxis.gov.gr/main/

Elis or Ilia (Greek: Ηλεία, Ileia) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Western Greece. It is situated in the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Its capital is Pyrgos.

The northernmost point of Elis is 38° 06′N, the westernmost is 22° 12′E, the southernmost is 37° 18′N, and the easternmost is 21° 54′E. The length from north to south is 100 km (62 mi), and from east-to-west is around 55 km (34 mi).

The modern regional unit is not completely congruent with ancient Elis: Lampeia belonged to ancient Arcadia, and Kalogria is now part of Achaea.

The longest river is the Alfeios. Other rivers are the Erymanthos, Pineios and Neda. Alfeios, Pineios and Neda flow into the Ionian Sea in Elis. Less than 1% of the prefecture is open water, most of it found in artificial reservoirs and dams, in the north and east. The Pineios Dam supplies water for Northern Elis. The water is not safe for drinking, because it contains some contaminants. A second, smaller reservoir in the river Alfeios near Olympia and Krestena supplies water to Pyrgos.

The eastern part of the regional unit is forested, with mostly pine trees in the south. There are forest preserves in Foloi and the mountain ranges of Eastern Elis. In the north is the Strofylia forest which has pine trees. Mountain ranges include Movri (around 720 m or 2,400 ft), Divri (around 1500 m), Minthe (around 1100 m), and more.