The Pan Maniot Youth Union of Australia

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Geography

The region of Mani is situated along the middle of the three peninsulars of the northern Peloponnese. Taegetos, the mountain range that runs down the peninsular comprises an upper and lower section ending at Cape Tenaros (Kapo - Matapas). The mountain range divides Mani into an eastern and a western section with the tallest peak at 2407 metres called Prophet Ilias . Apart from this natural division of Mani it is further portioned off into Outer Mani, Lower Mani and Inner Mani

SECTION 1 - OUTER MANI

Extract from Map of Mani showing Outer Mani As of 1937 Outer Mani was Removed from province of Lakonia and added to the province of Messinia. You can view a map of the region of Lakonia before 1937 below.
Map of Mani before 1937

Outer Mani has an area of 420 square kilometers and comprising of 70 to 80 settlements. During the period of the 19th and 20th century. The area is richly fertile and is subdivided into,

  1. Zarnataor Stavropigi, known previously as the municipality of Avias.
  2. Androuvitsa now known as the municipality of Kardamili.
  3. Zigo or the Zigo of Meliggou now known as the Municipality of Lefktro.

SECTION 2 - LOWER MANI

Extract from Map of Mani showing Lower Mani The Northern Section of Lower Mani has an area of 210 square kilometers comprising 40 to 70 settlements from the last two centuries. This section is subdivided into three areas which include:
  1. Mesogio Malevri now known as the the Municipality of Malvriou.
  2. Methoriako Marathonisi known as the Municipality of Githeion.
  3. Kariopoli which is now the municipality of Kariopoli with excellent harbors and superb anchorages. The Castle of Passava guarded the eastern section of Kariopoli toward westen Mani.

The Southern section of lower Mani has an area of 110 square kilometers and consisted of 40 to 50 settlements around the 19th and 20th century. This section is basically subdivided into the following,

  1. Kolokithia, now known as the municipality of Kolokinthiou or Tefronis
  2. Lagia, now known as the Municipality of Lagias

SECTION 3 - INNER MANI

Extract from Map of Mani showing Inner Mani The Southern division of Mani, Inner Mani consists of an area of 190 square kilometers with 65 to 110 settlements in the last two centuries. This section from 1840 until 1912 was subdivided into municipalities of Itilou and Messis . The peninsular ends at Capo Matapa where from ancient times the entrance to Hades was believed to be located.

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