Overcoming the economic crisis that the country has experienced since 2010, the Region of Western Greece is an attractive place for investment, and offers to its potential investors, a number of opportunities related to the Region’s strategic geographical position and its unique competitive advantages.

Each Regional Unit has unique characteristics. Achaea is an area with a long and important industrial tradition, as it constitutes  the industrial and research center of the Region offering two main receptors for businesses. Etoloakarnania and Ilia are the predominantly agricultural areas of the Region which provide suitable soil for traditional agricultural products, and PDO-PGI products. At the same time, each area of the Region is a tourist destination either in its traditional or in its alternative form.

The Region of Western Greece combines unique characteristics and therefore, constitutes  a leading tourist destination in Greece. produces unique products - mainly in the agri-food sector, is an emerging regional transport center and has well-trained human resources of high scientific and technical training.

1. General Information

Region logo

Total Area : 11,336 sq.m (6th at national level)

Regional Units: Aetolia-Acarnania, Achaea, Ilia

Capital city : Patras

Location: 38^ο 30΄41΄΄ Ν, 21^ο 34΄14΄΄ Ε, northwestern part of Peloponnese and western part of Central Greece

Climate: Mild winters and hot summers in  lowlands and cold winters and cool summers in mountainous areas

Geomorphology: 45.3% mountainous, 25.6% semi-mountainous, 29.1% lowlands

Altitude: Lowest elevation: Mediterranean Sea: 0m, Highest elevation: Aroania Mountains: 2,374m

2. Geographical Significance

The Region of Western Greece is Greece’s gateway to Western Europe and therefore, it occupies   an important geostrategic position. It is linked to large urban centers, such as Athens and Ioannina. RWG is a region ofgreat natural resources, with a plethora  of mountains, rivers, lagoons, NATURA areas and natural monuments, while its diversity and climate are suitable for a variety of activities.

3. Population structure

Population: 655,189 inhabitants (2019), 6.1% of the population of the Territory

Economically active population: 282,500 (6^th among all Greek Regional Units)

Birth rate: 7.63 births / 1,000 inhabitants

4. Basic Transport Infrastructure

Railroad network:

• Network of 213 km
• Double line in the Kiato-Aigio section
• Patras Suburban Railway
• Railway connection Diakopto-Kalavryta
• Tourist railway connection Ancient Olympia-Katakolo
• It is anticipated that the port of Patras will be linked to the national railway network soon

Road Network:

• Motorways of 235km., National network of 895km., provincial road network of 3,520km.
• Patras-Athens Highway
• Ionia Odos
• Rio-Antirio Bridge
• It is anticipated that Patras and Pyrgos will be linked through a highway soon

Main Ports:

• Port of Patras
• Port of Kyllini
• Port of Katakolo
• Port of Astakos
• Port of Aigio

Airports:

• Aktio Airport (Etoloakarnania)
• Araxos Airport (Achaeia)
• Epitalio Airport (Ilia)

Marinas:

• Patras Marina
• Kleopatra-Aktio Marina
• Amphilohia Marina
• Nafpaktos Marina

5. Main Educational Infrastructures

6. Main Organized Business Hubs

7. Technology in the Region of Western Greece

• Internet Use of RWG: 70.3% (5th among the 13 Regional Units)
• 36% users for more than 11 years
• 511,702 with broadband connections
• 407,020 inhabitants (16-74 years) have  online connection
• Percentage of employees in High Technology Sectors, engaged in the primary sector: 27.4%
• Percentage of Businesses with Internet connection: 82%