# Ioannina

> capital and largest city of Ioannina and Epirus, Greece

**Wikidata**: [Q183199](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183199)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioannina)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ioannina

## Summary
Ioannina is the capital and largest city of the Epirus Region and the Ioannina Regional Unit in Greece. Located on the shores of Lake Pamvotida, it serves as a major administrative center for the Decentralized Administration of Epirus and Western Macedonia. The city has a recorded history dating back to 879 and a resident population of 64,896 as of the 2021 census.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Northwestern Greece, situated within the Ioannina Municipality and bordering the Arta Prefecture.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 39.663611, Longitude 20.852222.
- **Elevation**: 490 meters above sea level.
- **Area**: 403 square kilometres.
- **Population (2021)**: 64,896 (resident population).
- **Historical Population**: 65,574 (2011); 67,384 (2001); 62,346 (1991).
- **Earliest Written Record**: 879.
- **Patron Saint**: St. Georgios the New Martyr of Ioannina.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 2651.
- **Postal Codes**: 45221, 45332, 45333, 45444, 45500.
- **Official Website**: ioannina.gr.
- **Head of Government**: Thomas Begas (term started January 1, 2024).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative role of Ioannina?**
Ioannina serves as the capital for four distinct administrative divisions: the Ioannina Municipality, the Ioannina Regional Unit, the Epirus Region, and the Decentralized Administration of Epirus and Western Macedonia.

**When did Ioannina become part of Greece?**
Ioannina became part of Greece in 1913, following the end of its tenure as the capital of the Ioannina vilayet (which began in 1867).

**Who are the current and recent past leaders of the city?**
The current Head of Government is Thomas Begas, who began his term on January 1, 2024. Previous office holders include Dimitris Papageorgiou (2023), Moses Elisaf (2019–2023), and Thomas Begas (2014–2019).

**What are the demographic trends for Ioannina?**
According to Greek census data, the resident population was 64,896 in 2021, 65,574 in 2011, 67,384 in 2001, and 62,346 in 1991.

**Where is Ioannina located relative to bodies of water?**
The city is located in or next to Lake Pamvotida.

## Why It Matters
Ioannina is a critical hub for political and administrative governance in Northwestern Greece, functioning as the seat of power for regional and decentralized administrations. Its historical significance is highlighted by its status as a former capital of the Ioannina vilayet during the Ottoman period and its integration into modern Greece in 1913. The city's sustained population and administrative complexity make it a central point for regional infrastructure, culture, and history.

## Notable For
- **Multi-level Capital**: Serves as the capital for the Region, Regional Unit, Municipality, and Decentralized Administration simultaneously.
- **Historical Documentation**: Recorded in major historical encyclopedias including the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron*, and the *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition*.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Positioned at an elevation of 490 meters on the edge of Lake Pamvotida.
- **International Partnerships**: Twinned with Avignon (since 1984) and Korçë.
- **Extensive Identification**: Cataloged in numerous global databases including GeoNames, VIAF, GND, and the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Ioannina is situated in the Epirus region of Greece at coordinates 39.663611°N 20.852222°E. The city covers an area of 403 square kilometres and rests at an elevation of 490 metres above sea level. It is located on the banks of Lake Pamvotida and shares a border with the Arta Prefecture.

Demographic data from Greek censuses show the following resident populations:
- **1991**: 62,346
- **2001**: 67,384
- **2011**: 65,574
- **2021**: 64,896 (Preferred value)

### Governance and Politics
The city is the administrative center for the Ioannina Municipality, Ioannina Regional Unit, Epirus Region, and the Decentralized Administration of Epirus and Western Macedonia. The office of the Head of Government (Mayor) has been held by:
- **Thomas Begas**: September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2019.
- **Moses Elisaf**: September 1, 2019 – February 17, 2023.
- **Dimitris Papageorgiou**: February 28, 2023 – December 31, 2023.
- **Thomas Begas**: January 1, 2024 – Present (Preferred value).

### History
The earliest written record of Ioannina dates to the year 879. Historically, the city served as the capital of the Ioannina vilayet from 1867 until 1913. In 1913, Ioannina officially became part of the country of Greece. The city is described by various historical sources, including *Meyer’s Universum* (1844) and *Yuzhakov Big Encyclopedia*.

### Cultural and Religious Identity
The city's native and official name is Ιωάννινα. Its patron saint is St. Georgios the New Martyr of Ioannina. Ioannina maintains twinned administrative body status with Avignon (twinned since 1984) and Korçë.

### Digital and Academic Presence
Ioannina is extensively cataloged in academic and digital systems:
- **Library Identifiers**: Bibliothèque nationale de France (12251843j), Library of Congress (n81042105), National Library of Israel (987007557209605171).
- **Encyclopedic IDs**: Encyclopædia Britannica Online (place/Ioannina), Treccani (giannina), TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (yanya).
- **Database IDs**: GeoNames (261779), VIAF (147754409), GND (4197925-4), OpenStreetMap (Node 139314748, Relation 2235945).
- **Categories**: The main topic category is Category:Ioannina, with associated categories for maps, births, deaths, and views of the city.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. OpenStreetMap
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. [ΦΕΚ αποτελεσμάτων Μόνιμου Πληθυσμού — Αποτελέσματα της Απογραφής Πληθυσμού-Κατοικιών έτους 2021 που αφορούν στο Μόνιμο Πληθυσμό της Χώρας. Hellenic Statistical Authority. 2023](https://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/17286366/FEK-2023-Tefxos-B-02802.pdf/cf59bd87-ddb9-84a2-d421-b08e89cb9542)
7. [Source](http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh352.jsp?obj_id=7642)
8. GeoNames
9. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-4xh1tp/Giannina/?zoom=19&center=39.66632%2C20.85426&popup=39.66653%2C20.85415)
10. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
11. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/yanya)