Ionian Islands (region)
The Ionian Islands (Greek Ionia Nisia Ιόνια Νησιά ) are one of the thirteen regions ( periferies περιφέρειες ) of Greece. It consists of the northern, located off the west coast of Greece islands of the same group of islands in the Ionian Sea, including the Diapontia Islands, the islands of the Strofades, Tilevoides and Echinades.
History
→ Main article History of the Ionian Islands
Until 1797, the islands belonging to the Republic of Venice. Then they were conquered by Napoleon's France, taken for a short time by a Russian- Turkish fleet and common protectorate of Russia and the Ottoman Empire declared ( until 1807 ) until they were again occupied by France. In 1809 the British took power. Under their patronage was from the islands together with Kythira and Andikythira the Republic of the Ionian Islands formed. 1864 entered the Ionian Islands, after a vote in parliament the Greek State at.
Structure
As with the other areas of modern Greece, the Ionian Islands 1864 in prefectures ( nomos νομός Ez gr ) and provinces ( Ez gr Eparchia εραπχία ) were divided. 1866, the province of Lakonia and Kythira was awarded. Since 1972 Kythira belongs to the region of Attica.
The division into prefectures changed frequently throughout history; in 2010 was the region of the prefectures of Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.
At the administrative reform of 2010, the local authority of the prefecture was abolished, and the region received more competences for self-government. In place of the prefectures were so-called regional districts ( Ez gr Periferiaki enotita περιφερειακή ενότητα ), which is proportional to send its inhabitants a certain number of MEPs in the 41 -member Regional Council, about but also have no political significance. They correspond to the former prefectures of Corfu, Lefkada and Zakynthos, Kefalonia Prefecture only the former is divided into regional districts ( and municipalities) Kefalonia and Ithaca.
At the same time the number of municipalities of the Ionian Islands was reduced by groupings of 39 to 7.
Education
With the Ionian University and the TEI Ionion Nison ( FH), the region has two higher education institutions. However, the islands are also known for the numerous academies, in the tradition of the so called Ionian School and have significantly influenced the musical education in the country.
Economy
Expressed in comparison with the EU GDP in purchasing power standards reached the Ionian Islands an index of 74.6 (EU -25: 100 ) (2003 ). The unemployment rate in 2005 was 8.5%.