AETOLIA-ACARNANIA

Aetolia-Acarnania forms the westernmost part of the Central Greece region, connected with the Peloponnese by the Rio-Antirrio Bridge. In terms of water resources, it is the richest in Greece and one of the best endowed in Europe, with the rivers Acheloos, Evinos and Mornos, several lakes including Trichonida, the largest in Greece, and, along the southern coastline, the Messolonghi and Aetoliko lagoons. The Acheloos Delta, the Evinos estuary, the lakes and the two lagoons are protected sites of the Natura 2000 network. Its geomorphology is complemented by mountains such as Panaetoliko, Arakynthos and the Acarnanians. In antiquity, Aetolia-Acarnania flourished at the time of the Aetolian League. In modern times, its history is marked by the heroic sacrifice of the defenders of the Sacred City of Messolonghi. Today, Aetolia-Acarnania still relies on traditional agriculture (tobacco and cereals), livestock production, fisheries and salt works, while at the same time striving to tap its rich tourism potential (nature tourism, archaeological sites, agritourism).