Kentriki Ellada: The EU Statistical Division of Central Greece
Kentriki Ellada (Greek: Κεντρική Ελλάδα), which translates to Central Greece, serves as a first-level NUTS division of Greece. The NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) system is a hierarchical framework created by the European Union to provide a standardized way of referring to locations, areas, and regions for the purpose of gathering and analyzing statistical data.
It is important to distinguish this statistical entity from the actual governance of the country. While Kentriki Ellada is used for EU data reporting, this specific division is not utilized by the Greek government for administrative purposes. Interestingly, "Central Greece" is also the name used for both a traditional geographical region and a formal administrative region within Greece.
Key Facts
- Purpose: Created by the European Union specifically for statistical purposes.
- Classification: Defined as a first-level NUTS division.
- Administrative Status: Not used for Greek national administration.
- Recent Change: The regional composition was redefined in January 2015.
Evolution of the NUTS Division
The composition of the Kentriki Ellada statistical region has shifted over time to better align with EU data requirements. These changes ensure that statistical reporting remains accurate and relevant to the regions being measured.
Composition Before 2015
Until 2014, the Kentriki Ellada division encompassed five distinct regions:
- Epirus
- Ionian Islands
- Western Greece
- Central Greece
- Peloponnese
Composition After January 2015
Effective January 2015, the Greek NUTS regions were redefined. In this update, Thessaly was added to the Kentriki Ellada division, replacing Epirus.
| Period | Included Regions | Excluded Region |
|---|---|---|
| Until 2014 | Epirus, Ionian Islands, Western Greece, Central Greece, Peloponnese | Thessaly |
| From January 2015 | Thessaly, Ionian Islands, Western Greece, Central Greece, Peloponnese | Epirus |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kentriki Ellada?
Kentriki Ellada is a first-level NUTS division of Greece established by the European Union for statistical purposes.
Does the Greek government use Kentriki Ellada for administration?
No, this specific NUTS division is not used by Greece for administrative purposes, although "Central Greece" is the name of a separate administrative and geographical region.
When did the composition of the region change?
The definition of the region was updated in January 2015.
Which region was replaced in the 2015 update?
Thessaly was included in the division, replacing Epirus.
What does NUTS stand for?
NUTS stands for Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, a system used by the European Union to standardize regional data.