Mastichochoria
Μαστιχοχώρια | |
|---|---|
 Central square of Pyrgi | |
  Mastichochoria Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates: 38°15′N 25°59′E / 38.250°N 25.983°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | North Aegean |
| Regional unit | Chios |
| Municipality | Chios |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 211.7 km2 (81.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 3,384 |
| • Municipal unit density | 16/km2 (41/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Vehicle registration | ΧΙ |
Mastichochoria (Greek: Μαστιχοχώρια, Greek pronunciation: [mastixoˈxorʝʲa], lit. "the mastic villages" in English) is a former municipality on the island of Chios (Χίος), North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Chios, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] It is located in the southwestern and extreme southern part of the island. It is the largest municipal unit in land area on Chios at 211.687 km2.[3] Its population was 3,384 at the 2021 census. The seat of the municipality was Pyrgi (Πυργί). The next largest villages are Kalamotí (Καλαμωτń), Armólia (Αρμόλια), Mestá (Μεστά), and Lithí (Λιθί). The small coastal village of Emporeios (Εμπορειός) boasts an archaeological site.
This area is well known for the production of mastic, from which it derives its name. Mastic is the hardened resin of the mastic tree and is only harvested on Chios, being a major part of the local economy. In the village of Pyrgi, there is even a small Museum of Mastic.
Within the European Union, Chios mastika, a mastic-flavoured liqueur has a protected designation of origin. The island's mastic production is controlled by a co-operative of medieval villages. The local producers are united under the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association.
- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.