Larissa (regional unit)

Larissa Περιφερειακή ενότητα Λάρισας
Regional unit
Municipalities of Larissa
Larissa within Greece
Coordinates: 39°40′N 22°30′E / 39.667°N 22.500°E / 39.667; 22.500Coordinates: 39°40′N 22°30′E / 39.667°N 22.500°E / 39.667; 22.500
Country	Greece
Region	Thessaly
Capital	Larissa
Area
• Total	5,381 km2 (2,078 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	284,325
• Density	53/km2 (140/sq mi)
Postal codes	40x xx, 41x xx
Area codes	2410, 249x0
ISO 3166 code	GR-42
Car plates	ΡΙ

Larissa (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Λάρισας) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Thessaly. Its capital is the city of Larissa. Total population 284,325 (2011).

Larissa is the second largest regional unit in Greece, exceeded only by Aetolia-Acarnania. It covers about one-third of Thessaly. It borders the regional units of Kozani to the northwest, Pieria to the northeast, the Aegean Sea to the east, Magnesia to the southeast, Phthiotis to the south, Karditsa to the southwest and Trikala to the west.

The tallest mountain in Greece, Mount Olympus (2,917 m) is situated in the northeastern part of the regional unit. Mount Ossa is situated in the east, at the Aegean coast. The lower stretch of the river Pineios flows through the Vale of Tempe, between Olympus and Ossa.

The northern part is covered with forests, but most of the regional unit is fertile land, the Thessalian Plain.

Larissa has a mainly Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Winter is harsher in the mountains areas, notably the north and Mount Olympus. Larissa is often the warmest area in Greece in summer and the coldest in winter. The highest temperature ever recorded was 45.4 °C(2000) and the coldest was -21.6 °C(1968). Τhe city experiences very often temperatures over 40 °C.