# Acheron

> river of northwest Greece

**Wikidata**: [Q191087](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191087)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheron)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/acheron

## Summary
The Acheron is a river located in northwest Greece, specifically within the Epirus region. It is distinct from the mythological River Acheron of the underworld, though the two share a name and cultural connection. The river flows through the Parga Municipality and is associated with the archaeological site known as the Nekromanteion of Acheron.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: The Acheron is a river, defined as a larger natural watercourse.
- **Location**: It is situated in northwest Greece, within the country of Greece (Hellenic Republic).
- **Coordinates**: The river's location is marked by multiple coordinate sets: (39.236111111111, 20.476111111111), (39.472, 20.6775), and (39.2363, 20.4757).
- **Administrative Context**: The river flows through the Parga Municipality, which is located in Epirus, Greece.
- **Mythological Distinction**: It is separate from the "Acheron" entity representing the river of the underworld in Greek mythology, though they are related concepts.
- **Archaeological Association**: The river is linked to the Nekromanteion of Acheron, an archaeological site in Greece.
- **Biological Connection**: The name is shared with *Acherontia atropos*, a species of moth.
- **Sitelink Count**: The entity has a sitelink count of 55 across various language editions.
- **Wikipedia Title**: The primary title for this entity on Wikipedia is "Acheron".
- **Wikidata Description**: Officially described as a "river of northwest Greece".

## FAQs
**Where is the Acheron river located?**
The Acheron is located in northwest Greece, flowing through the Epirus region and the Parga Municipality. Its specific geographic coordinates include latitudes around 39.23 to 39.47 and longitudes around 20.47 to 20.67.

**How does the river relate to Greek mythology?**
While the Acheron is a physical river in Greece, it shares its name with the River Acheron of the underworld in Greek mythology. This mythological entity is a distinct concept but is culturally linked to the physical river through the presence of the Nekromanteion of Acheron, an ancient archaeological site.

**What other entities share the name "Acheron"?**
The name "Acheron" is also used for a species of moth known as *Acherontia atropos*. Additionally, the term refers to the mythological river of the underworld, which is a separate entity from the geographical river in northwest Greece.

**What is the administrative status of the area where the river flows?**
The river flows through the Parga Municipality, which is part of the Epirus region in Greece. The country of Greece itself is a sovereign state in Southeast Europe with its capital in Athens.

## Why It Matters
The Acheron holds significance as a tangible geographical feature in northwest Greece that bridges the physical world with ancient mythological traditions. Its location near the Nekromanteion of Acheron makes it a critical site for understanding ancient Greek religious practices and the historical belief in the underworld. The river serves as a natural landmark that anchors the mythological narrative in a real-world setting, influencing tourism, archaeology, and cultural heritage in the Epirus region. Furthermore, the shared nomenclature with the moth species *Acherontia atropos* highlights the enduring influence of the name across different domains of natural history and taxonomy.

## Notable For
- Being a major river in the northwest region of Greece.
- Serving as the geographical anchor for the Nekromanteion of Acheron, a significant archaeological site.
- Sharing its name with the mythological River of the Underworld in Greek tradition.
- Being the namesake for the moth species *Acherontia atropos*.
- Flowing through the Parga Municipality in the Epirus region.
- Possessing specific geographic coordinates that define its course in the Balkans.
- Having a high sitelink count of 55, indicating its prominence in global knowledge bases.

## Body

### Geography and Location
The Acheron is a river situated in the northwest part of Greece. It flows through the Epirus region, specifically within the boundaries of the Parga Municipality. The river's precise location is defined by several coordinate sets: latitude 39.236111111111 with longitude 20.476111111111, latitude 39.472 with longitude 20.6775, and latitude 39.2363 with longitude 20.4757. These coordinates place the river within the broader context of Greece, a country located in Southeast Europe. The river is classified as a "river" entity, representing a larger natural watercourse.

### Mythological and Cultural Connections
The name "Acheron" is deeply rooted in Greek mythology, where it refers to the river of the underworld. While the mythological Acheron is a distinct entity (often associated with the country code Q41 in knowledge graphs), the physical river in northwest Greece shares this name and cultural resonance. This connection is physically manifested through the Nekromanteion of Acheron, an archaeological site located in Greece. The Nekromanteion is historically significant as a place of oracle and necromancy, linking the physical landscape to ancient spiritual beliefs. The river's presence in this region reinforces the mythological narrative in a tangible location.

### Biological and Taxonomic Associations
The name "Acheron" extends beyond geography and mythology into the natural world. It is the namesake for *Acherontia atropos*, a specific species of moth. This biological entity is distinct from the river but shares the same nomenclature, illustrating the broad application of the name across different fields of study. The moth species is a recognized entity in biological taxonomy, further expanding the semantic network of the term "Acheron."

### Administrative and Political Context
The river flows through the Parga Municipality, which is an administrative division in the Epirus region of Greece. Parga Municipality is part of the sovereign state of Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic. Greece is located in Southeast Europe and has a rich history, having been founded on March 25, 1821, following the Greek War of Independence. The country's capital is Athens, and it is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations. The Parga Municipality, with its headquarters in a specific location, serves as the local governance structure for the area surrounding the Acheron river.

### Data and Metadata
In the context of knowledge bases, the Acheron river entity has a sitelink count of 55, indicating its presence across numerous language editions of Wikipedia and other linked data sources. The primary Wikipedia title for this entity is "Acheron," and its Wikidata description is explicitly defined as "river of northwest Greece." This metadata helps distinguish it from other entities such as the mythological river (which has a sitelink count of 14) and the moth species (which has a sitelink count of 48). The entity is also linked to the broader category of "river" entities, which has a sitelink count of 275, placing it within a larger classification of natural watercourses.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. GeoNames