Zeli

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Zeli
Ζέλι
Location
Zeli
Coordinates 38°39′N 22°52′E / 38.650°N 22.867°E / 38.650; 22.867Coordinates: 38°39′N 22°52′E / 38.650°N 22.867°E / 38.650; 22.867
Government
Country:Greece
Administrative region: Central Greece
Regional unit: Phthiotis
Municipality: Amfikleia–Elateia
Municipal unit: Elateia
Population statistics (as of 2001)[1]
Community
 - Population: 910
Other
Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center): 510 m (1,673 ft)
Postal code: 35200
Auto: ΜΙ
A panoramic view of Zeli.

Zeli (Greek: Ζέλι, also Zeli Fthiotidas and Zeli Lokridas) is a mountain village in the prefecture of Phthiotis, which belongs to the municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia . It has a population of about 1000 residents, while the altitude is 450 to 550 meters. At a distance of four kilometers, is the village Kalapodi. Zeli, until 1912, belonged to the Municipality of Atalanti (Atalanti). After 1912, it became a community, until the Kapodistria's law, which placed it in the municipality of Elateia.[2] With the new law "Kallikrates" established by the end of the municipal elections of 2010, Zeli was placed in the enlarged municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia, which is based in Kato Tithorea.[3]

Physical and Economic Review

The village lies on the eastern slope of Mount Varvas. According to previous measurements, Zeli has an area of 51,000 acres, from some of the 24,000 are arable and the remainder is woodland. Zeli is all green mountainous vegetation, including oaks, lavender, chamomile, etc. The village has a rich production in tobacco, wheat and figs. In each house can be seen winter gardens (cabbage, lettuce, onions, radishes, broccoli, carrots, etc.) or summer gardens (tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, etc.).

Moreover, in addition to agricultural occupations, the villagers are engaged in livestock, particularly sheep and poultry.

The climate of the village is very good, because of its proximity to both the Parnassus and the beaches of the Evian Gulf.[4]

History

Its name, according to some sources, comes from the Slavic word "Zeliinaakov", which means green valley and indicates that in the age of Byzantium was probably a Slavony. Testimonies indicate that it was first inhabited by the ancient times, when even the flourishing Opountion Lokrida. According to other sources, the name comes from the ancient Ozoles Locri. The area was named Ozelai =Ozeli=Zeli from where the Ozoles Locrians moved to the west. The area was all bushes and shrubs, life was difficult and the people suffered, so the residents with their flocks moved to Etoloakarnania and Phocis. Later, the Opountion Locrians lived in the settlements that were abandoned by Ozoles and the region continued to be called Ozeli and Zeli in their memory.[5]

Culture and Sports

Zeli is away from Athens one and a half hours. It has bars, cafes and restaurants. The Cultural Association of Zeli, called "Osios Seraphim", is active in various cultural events in the region, such as conducting local dances in the village square and the organization of the carnival. It has a dance department with women and youth of the village, which has made appearances in Istanbul,Saint Petersburg and Italy.

The village also has local football team, Panzeliakos, which plays in amateur local groups.

References

  1. De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 793 KB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003. 
  2. http://www.elateia.gr/dhmotika%20diamerismata.htm
  3. http://www.elateia.gr/photo%20d.d.%20zeliou.htm
  4. http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ζέλι_Φθιώτιδας#.CE.A6.CF.85.CF.83.CE.B9.CE.BA.CE.AE_.CE.BA.CE.B1.CE.B9_.CE.BF.CE.B9.CE.BA.CE.BF.CE.BD.CE.BF.CE.BC.CE.B9.CE.BA.CE.AE_.CE.B5.CE.BE.CE.AD.CF.84.CE.B1.CF.83.CE.B7
  5. http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ζέλι_Φθιώτιδας#.CE.99.CF.83.CF.84.CE.BF.CF.81.CE.B9.CE.BA.CE.AC_.CF.83.CF.84.CE.BF.CE.B9.CF.87.CE.B5.CE.AF.CE.B1
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