Peloponnese Peninsula - Peloponnese Peninsula (English spelling)

A peninsula that makes up the southern part of the Greek mainland. It is barely connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth, but is surrounded by the Aegean Sea to the east, the Ionian Sea to the southwest, and the Gulf of Patrai and the Gulf of Corinth to the north, giving it an almost island-like shape. It is a large administrative district divided into seven prefectures, with an area of ​​21,439 square kilometers and a population of 1,166,000 (2003 estimate). Its name comes from the fact that the ancient Greeks called it "the island of Pelops (a mythical hero)". During the Byzantine Empire (4th to 15th centuries), it was called Morea (meaning "mulberry leaves") because of its shape. The area is mountainous overall, but fertile plains extend in Elis and Messenia. It is a typical Mediterranean agricultural region, with cereals, wine, olive oil, citrus fruits, and figs as its specialties. Livestock farming is also popular, and livestock products are abundant. It was one of the first to join the Greek War of Independence in 1821, and became part of the Kingdom that was established in 1832. Patrai, Kalamata, Corinth, and Pyrgos were the trading centers.

[Tomoko Mashita]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ギリシア本土南部を構成する半島。コリント地峡によりかろうじて本土につながっているが、東をエーゲ海、南西をイオニア海、北をパトレー湾とコリント湾に囲まれ、ほぼ島状の形をしている。7県に分かれる大行政区を構成し、面積2万1439平方キロメートル、人口116万6000（2003推計）。その名は古代ギリシア人が「ペローポス（神話上の英雄）の島」とよんだことに由来する。ビザンティン帝国時代（4～15世紀）には、その形状からモレアMorea（「桑の葉」の意）と称された。全体に山がちだが、エリス、メッセニアには肥沃(ひよく)な平野が広がる。典型的な地中海式農業地帯で、穀類、ワイン、オリーブ油、柑橘(かんきつ)類、イチジクが特産。牧畜も盛んで畜産物も多い。1821年ギリシアの独立戦争にいち早く参加し、1832年成立の王国領に入った。パトレー、カラマタ、コリント、ピルゴスが交易の中心。

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