Modern Greek Culture Blog: Arcadia, Greece

ARCADIA GREECE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ck2zQ_xqM&feature=fvsr

History of Arcadia
~Arcadia entered the Greek Byzantine Empire, from end of Roman Rule to 1460.
~After varies rulers, became a part of the Ottoman Turks.
~On September 23, 1821 Arcadia fighters were the first to rebel against the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
~After 360 years under the Ottomans, Arcadia was one location for the Greek War of Independence, most famous battle in Tripoli.
~20th century, Arcadia experienced a mass emigration, mainly to America.
~Population lower every year.
~After World War II and the Greek Civil War, villages and towns were restored.
~1965, earthquake hit a city in Arcadia (Megalopoli) .
~1967, Megalopoli Power Plant was built.
~Plant opened in 1970, providing more electricity for southern Greece.
~July and August 2007 forest fires in mountains of Arcadia.
~2008, research about the mummifies remains of Alexander the Great in Arcadia.

Arcadia
-Arcadia is a country in the Peloponnese region of Greece.
-Arcadia’s capital is Tripoli.
-Arcadia’s population is about 86, 820.
-A thermoelectric power station, provides electricity for southern Greece, in Megalopolis.
-Also a coal mine.
-Potato farms, mixed farming, olive groves, and pasture leads the plains of Arcadia, more in Megalopolis, Tripoli and Levidi.
-Many towns and sites with mountains, forests, beautiful vegetation.
-Ancient cities with ancient churches and forts.
-Festivals throughout the year, most popular Easter.

Interesting Facts: Arcadia
*Arcadia gets there name from the mythological character Arcas.
*In Greek mythology Arcadia is the “home of the god Pan”.
*Ancient Olympic victors: Androsthenes of Maenalus, won gold in 420 and 416 BC; Euthymenes of Maenalus, won gold in 400 and 392 BC.
*One of the birth-places reported for Zeus, Mount Lycaeum in Arcadia.
*The phrase “Et in Arcadia ego” is the name of a painting by Nicolas Poussin in 164, also known as "The Arcadian shepherds,“ shows as inscription on a tomb.

Map of Greece