Trikala (regional unit)

{{Infobox Greece place | name = Trikala | name_local = <small>Περιφερειακή ενότητα</small><br>Τρικάλων | type = regional unit | image_skyline = 2010 Dimi Trikalon numbered.svg | caption_skyline = Municipalities of Trikala | image_map = Nomos Trikalon.png | map_caption = Trikala within Greece | coordinates = {{coord|39|40|N|21|40|E|display=inline,title}} | periph = [[Thessaly]] | seat = [[Trikala]] | area = 3383.48 | elevation = | population = 122081 | population_as_of = 2021 | demonym = | postal_code = 42x xx | area_code = 243x0 | licence = ΤΚ | website = {{URL|www.trikala.gr}} }} '''Trikala''' ({{langx|el|Περιφερειακή ενότητα Τρικάλων}}) is one of the [[regional units of Greece]], forming the northwestern part of the [[modern regions of Greece|region]] of [[Thessaly]]. Its capital is the city of [[Trikala]]. The regional unit includes the town of [[Kalampaka]] and the [[Meteora]] monastery complex, the town of [[Pyli]], the town of [[Farkadona]] and the mountain range of south [[Pindus]] with its tourist destinations (i.e. [[Portaikos Bridge|Pyli's stone bridge]], [[Porta Panagia|Basilica Church of Porta Panagia]], [[Elati, Trikala|Elati]], [[Pertouli]], Palaiokarya's stone bridge and waterfall, Pertouli Ski Center etc.).

==Geography==

Trikala borders the regional units of [[Karditsa (regional unit)|Karditsa]] to the south, [[Arta (regional unit)|Arta]] to the southwest, [[Ioannina (regional unit)|Ioannina]] to the west, [[Grevena (regional unit)|Grevena]] to the north and [[Larissa (regional unit)|Larissa]] to the east.

The southeastern part belongs to the [[Thessalian Plain]]. The forested [[Pindus]] mountain range dominates the western part. The northern part of Trikala is also mountainous and made up of forests and barren lands, the ranges here are [[Chasia]] and [[Antichasia]]. Its major river is the [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]], flowing to the south and east.

Its climate is mainly of Mediterranean character, with hot summers and cold winters, along with temperate climate conditions by the mountains.

==Administration==

The regional unit Trikala is subdivided into 4 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref> *[[Farkadona]] (4) *[[Kalampaka|Meteora]] (2) *[[Pyli]] (3) *[[Trikala]] (1)

===Prefecture===

Trikala was created as a [[prefectures of Greece|prefecture]] ({{langx|el|Νομός Τρικάλων}}) in 1882. As a part of the [[Kallikratis Programme|2011 Kallikratis government reform]], the regional unit Trikala was created out of the former prefecture Trikala. The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.<ref name=Kallikratis/>

{| class="wikitable" ! New municipality !! Old municipalities !! Seat |- | rowspan=3|[[Farkadona]]|| [[Farkadona]] || rowspan=3|Farkadona |- | [[Oichalia, Trikala|Oichalia]] |- | [[Pelinnaioi]] |- | rowspan=8|[[Meteora (municipality)|Meteora]]|| [[Kalampaka]] || rowspan=8|Kalampaka |- | [[Aspropotamos, Trikala|Aspropotamos]] |- | [[Vasiliki, Trikala|Vasiliki]] |- | [[Kastania, Trikala|Kastania]] |- | [[Kleino]] |- | [[Malakasi]] |- | [[Tymfaia]] |- | [[Chasia, Trikala|Chasia]] |- | rowspan=7|[[Pyli]]|| [[Pyli]] || rowspan=7|Pyli |- | [[Aithikes]] |- | [[Gomfoi]] |- | [[Myrofyllo]] |- | [[Neraida, Trikala|Neraida]] |- | [[Pialeia]] |- | [[Pindos (Municipality)|Pindos]] |- | rowspan=8|[[Trikala]]|| [[Trikala]] || rowspan=8|Trikala |- | [[Estiaiotida]] |- | [[Kallidendro]] |- | [[Koziakas]] |- | [[Megala Kalyvia]] |- | [[Paliokastro, Trikala|Paliokastro]] |- | [[Paralithaioi]] |- | [[Faloreia]] |}

===Provinces===

Trikala prefecture had four provinces and areas named Trikala, [[Kalampaka]], Pyli and Farkadona the four largest towns. *Province of [[Trikala]] *Province of [[Kalampaka]] *Province of [[Pyli]] *Province of [[Farkadona]] ''Note:'' Provinces no longer hold any legal status in [[Greece]].

==History== {{Further|History of Thessaly}} [[File:Litheos river, Trikala (city), Greece 01.jpg|thumb|Litheos river flowing through city of [[Trikala]].]] [[File:View on Kalambaka, Greece.jpg|thumb|[[Kalabaka]].]] [[File:Meteora with view over Kastraki.jpg|thumb|View of [[Meteora]] from Kastraki]] The area of Trikala was relatively obscure in [[ancient Thessaly]], as well as during the periods of [[Kingdom of Macedonia|Macedonian]], [[Roman Empire|Romans]], and [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] rule. Under the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]], Trikala was known as "Tırhala" and became the seat of the [[Sanjak of Tirhala]], encompassing most of Thessaly, until the late 18th century. Despite a number of rebellions against Ottoman rule, the area remained under Ottoman control until joined with the independent [[Kingdom of Greece]] in 1881.

Upon annexation by Greece, Trikala became the seat of one of the two [[prefectures of Greece|prefectures]] in which Thessaly was divided (the other being [[Larissa Prefecture]]). The area was briefly occupied by the Ottomans again during the [[Greco-Turkish War of 1897]], and by the Italians and Germans during the [[Axis occupation of Greece]] in World War II. In 1947, the southern part was split off as [[Karditsa Prefecture]].

==Economy==

===Agriculture===

The agriculture of the area is famous, and produces a part of the country's production also in export. Its well-known production includes [[fruit]] and [[vegetable]]s, [[cotton]], [[olive]]s, [[cattle]] and other [[foodstuff]]s.

==Communications==

===Newspapers===

*''I Enimerosi'' *''I Erevna'' *''dialogos-weekly newspaper of Trikala'' "t.24310-33263,fax.2431-500059" [http://www.issuu.com/dialogosnews www.issuu.com/dialogosnews]

==Transport== The [[Palaiofarsalos–Kalambaka railway]] passes through the regional unit, from [[Palaiofarsalos railway station|Palaiofarsalos]] and up to [[Trikala railway station|Trikala]] and [[Kalambaka railway station|Kalambaka]]. The [[A2 motorway (Greece)|A2 motorway]], part of [[European route E90]], passes through the northwestern corner of the unit, near {{ill|Panagia, Trikala|el|Παναγία Μαλακασίου Τρικάλων|lt=Panagia}}. Other main roads passing through the unit include the [[A3 motorway (Greece)|A3]], [[Greek National Road 6|EO6]], [[Greek National Road 15|EO15]], [[Greek National Road 26|EO26]] and [[Greek National Road 30|EO30]].

==Sports== *[[AO Trikala]] *[[Athlitikos Syllogos Trikala 2000 BC|Trikala 2000 BC]] *[[A.O. Trikala 1963 F.C.]] *[[G.S. Trikala]] *[[G.E.A. Trikala]] *[[G.A.S. Trikala "Zeus"]]

==See also== *[[List of settlements in the Trikala regional unit]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20040611122021/http://www.culture.gr/maps/thessal/trikala/trikala.html Prefectural map of Trikala] *https://web.archive.org/web/20051027171013/http://www.greecebyclick.com/regions/central/trikala/index.cfm {{in lang|en}}

[[Category:Trikala (regional unit)| ]] [[Category:Prefectures of Greece]] [[Category:Regional units of Thessaly]]