Arcadia (region, Greece)

Arcadia (region, Greece), region of the central Pelopónnisos (Peloponnesus), a peninsula of Greece. A mountainous area, covering 4,419 sq km (1,706 sq mi), Arcadia attracts many visitors who come for the scenic splendors of the region. Mountains dominate the landscape; between them lie inland basins and plains, which are drained by the Alfiós River (Alfiós Potamós) and its tributaries. Coniferous forests cover the high mountainsides, while oak woodlands are scattered over the lower elevations in the western part of the territory. Known in modern Greek as Arkadhia, the region has a Mediterranean climate and is characterized by particularly erratic rainfall. The bustling capital of Trípolis is the center of the region's tourist industry. Manufactures in Trípolis include carpets, wines, and leather. It is also Arcadia's transportation hub, and visitors use Trípolis as a base from which to explore the area's mountain ranges, the so-called “Switzerland of Greece.” The beauty of this mountainous region has been captured by Greek, Roman, and Renaissance poets alike. In Greek mythology it was the home of Pan, a god of nature and patron of shepherds.