Larissa Λάρισα |
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The first ancient theatre of Larissa
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Coordinates: 39°38.5′N 22°25′E / 39.6417°N 22.417°ECoordinates: 39°38.5′N 22°25′E / 39.6417°N 22.417°E | ||
Country | Greece | |
Administrative region | Thessaly | |
Regional unit | Larissa | |
Districts | 4+1 | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Apostolos Kalogiannis | |
Area | ||
• Municipality | 335.98 km2 (129.72 sq mi) | |
• Municipal unit | 122.59 km2 (47.33 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 67 m (220 ft) | |
Population (2011) | ||
• Municipality | 162,591 | |
• Municipality density | 480/km2 (1,300/sq mi) | |
• Municipal unit | 146,926 | |
• Municipal unit density | 1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi) | |
Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | |
• Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | |
Postal code | 41x xx | |
Area code(s) | 241 | |
Vehicle registration | ΡΙ,ΡΡ | |
Website | www.larissa-dimos.gr |
Larissa (Greek: Λάρισα [ˈlarisa]) is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region,the fifth most populous in Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the cities of Thessaloniki and Athens. Larissa, within its municipality, has 162,591 inhabitants, while the regional unit of Larissa reached a population of 284,325 (in 2011). The urban area of the city, although mostly contained within the Larissa municipality, also includes the communities of Giannouli, Platykampos, Nikaia, Terpsithea and several other suburban settlements, bringing the wider urban area population of the city to about 174,012 inhabitants and extends over an area of 572.3 km2 (221.0 sq mi). Today, Larissa is a major commercial and industrial centre in Greece. Legend has it that Achilles was born here, and that Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, died here. As of early 2015, Larissa is a candidate city for the title of the European Capital of Culture 2021
There are a number of highways including E75 and the main railway from Athens to Thessaloniki (Salonika) crossing through Thessaly. The region is directly linked to the rest of Europe through the International Airport of Central Greece located in Nea Anchialos a short distance from Larissa. Larissa lies on the river Pineios.