Project: POLYPHONIA “Thematic Tourism Development Through the Preservation οf Polyphonic Music, Unique Element of The Cross-Border Cultural Heritage”
2. The Greek Intervention Area
The intervention area in Greece is located in the Epirus Region which includes the Regional Units of Arta, Preveza, Ioannina and Thesprotia, as well as the region of Pogoni. Epirus is a historical and geographical area of northwestern Greece. It borders North and Northwest with Albania, lies west of the Ionian Sea, and it borders South of Central Greece, with the Regional Units, Aetolia and Acarnania, and East of Thessaly and Northeast with Macedonia, Ephesus of Macedonia, with Ephesus.
It has a total area of 9.203 km2 and covers 6.7% of the total area of the country. Highlands cover 74.2% of the total area. The only lowlands are Arta and Preveza, as well as the valleys of the Acheronta and Kalamas rivers.
Epirus is the second highest peak in the country, with mountain Smolikas (2,637 m) and is followed by more than 30 peaks above 2,000 m. Its hydrographic network is rich, with many rivers and many waters, due to the heavy rainfall, and in a very heavy form. due to the shape of the soil and the alternation of geological material: Arachthus, Acheron, Aoos, Kalamas, Louros are the largest rivers, and are as follows: Voidomatis, Zagoritikos, Kalaritikos, Kalentinis, Metsovitikos, Sarantaporos etc.
The climate of Epirus is diverse: winters are severe, with an average temperature of 8.4 "C in Arta, 6.1" C in Ioannina -8.9 "C in Arta, - 9.9" C in Ioannina. In the highlands, winter is harsh. The lake of Ioannina has been frozen many times. In summer the temperature is extremely high, sometimes above 40 "C, Arta has reached 44" C. Epirus is also one of the rainiest regions in the country, with an annual rainfall of 1,000 to 2,000 mm. Hail and snow are also common.
A unique natural environment develops in Epirus. The variety and alternation of the different natural ecosystems of the county make up one of the few remaining wildlife sanctuaries in Europe. More than two thousand (2000) species and subspecies of flora have been recorded in the Epirus Region while all major rare and endangered mammals live in the area. In the high mountains, there are sub-alpine and alpine meadows and steep
slopes, which are special habitats for many mammals, such as the wild boar (Rupicapra rupicapra) as well as birds such as the golden eagle, the vulture, and others. At the upper elevation of the forests, up to 2000 m, the rhinoceros (Pinus leucodermis) is a cold- temperate coniferous species, while lower pine (Pinus nigra), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fir (Abies boris) are found.
The oak forests, along with the hardwood shrubs, dominate the larger areas of the county, with less grazing and arable land. At least one hundred and fifty (150) bird species have been recorded in the county, many of which are rare and endangered, such as the vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), the asphopar (Neophron percnopterus), the vulture (Gyps fulvus), the squirrel (Gypsus gall), hail (Accipiter brevipes), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), ketchup (Falco naumanni), gout (Otus scops), etc. Over thirty (30) species of mammals have also been recorded, including the bear (Ursus arctos), the wild boar (Rupicapra rupicapra), the wild boar (Sus scrofa), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and thousands of insects, hundreds of butterflies, many amphibians, reptiles and fish complete the county's fauna, which is why many of its areas have been integrated into the Natura 2000 Network and National Parks.
The phenomenon of migration is characteristically recorded by Labridis when he refers to specific families that excelled in foreign countries in the early 19th century. He also points out the reasons that led lots of residents of Epirus to emigrate. He highlights that “emigration was mainly caused by the lack of skills and the depopulation in Epirus. Almost half of the population migrated. Since 1830 the emigration was highly increased especially in larger cities because of the high taxes that were used for the debts of the community.” (Labridis, 1993).