Kalamata

Kalamata ( Kalamáta, formerly Καλάμαι Kalámai) is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf. Located near the ancient city of Pharai mentioned by Homer, it lies SW of Athens, about SE of Kyparissia and GR-9, about SSE of Pyrgos, about SW of Tripoli, about W of Sparta, NW of Areopoli and about E of Messene, it is also south of Patras and 715 kilometres (444 mi) south of Thessaloniki. The 2001 census recorded 57,620 inhabitants, but it is a busy city and on a regular daily basis there are more than 85,000 people working and circulating in it.

Kalamata is renowned as the land of the Kalamatianos dance and the silk kerchief; of succulent dark olives, honey-eyed figs and the honey-covered sesame sweet called pasteli. The city can be reached from other Greek cities by bus and train. Furthermore, the city has an international airport and an important harbour. Ferries are available to places such as the Greek islands of Kythira, and Crete .

The Messenian Gulf where Kalamata is located has various long beaches. The Taygetus mountain range is located about E of Kalamata and GR-82 Kalamata – Sparta highway runs through the ranges.

Olives and olive oil are important and famous products that are exported from Kalamata.

Kalamata has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a post office, and squares (plateia). The newly established......
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