Larissa (regional unit)

Larissa () is one of the regional units of Greece, located in the region of Thessaly. Its capital is the city of Larissa, after which it is named. According to the 2021 census, it has a total population of 268,963.

Geography

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.

Climate

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). The city experiences very often temperatures over 40 °C.

Administration

The regional unit Larissa is subdivided into 7 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):

Agia (2)
Elassona (3)
Farsala (7)
Kileler (4)
Larissa (Larisa, 1)
Tempi (5)
Tyrnavos (6)

Prefecture

Larissa was created as a prefecture () in 1882. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Larissa was created out of the former prefecture Larissa. The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below. The EO28 is a short military airport national road from Larissa to Larissa National Airport, a military air base.

Sports

Sporting clubs include:

Athletic Union of Larissa 1964
Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. - the only football team in Greece that ever won a championship other than the teams from Athens and Thessaloniki.
Olympia Larissa BC
AEL 1964 BC