Patras

Patras Πάτρα
City
Clockwise from top: Panoramic view of downtown: Trion Symmachon square and Dock (molos) area from Agiou Nikolaou Stairs, Rio-Antirio Bridge and Gulf of Corinth, Lighthouse of Patras, Night view of Patras from Romanos Mona Forest Park, Apollon Theatre and Georgiou I Square, Castle of Patras.
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Patras Location within Greece Patras Location within Europe Patras Patras (Europe)
Coordinates: 38°15′N 21°44′E
Country	Greece
Geographic region	Peloponnese
Administrative region	Western Greece
Regional unit	Achaia
Districts	5
Government
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Mayor	Kostas Peletidis (KKE)
Area
• Municipality	334.9 km2 (129.3 sq mi)
• Urban	125.4 km2 (48.4 sq mi)
Highest elevation	10 m (33 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Municipality	215,922
• Urban	173,600
• Urban density	1,384/km2 (3,586/sq mi)
• Metro	305,979
Demonym	Patrinos (Greek: Πατρινός)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal codes	26x xx
Telephone	261
Vehicle registration	ΑXx, ΑZx, AOx, AYx
Patron saint	Saint Andrew (30 November)
Website	www.e-patras.gr

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Patras (/pəˈtræs, ˈpætrəs/; Greek: Πάτρα, romanized: Pátra pronounced [ˈpatra] ^ⓘ; Katharevousa and Ancient Greek: Πάτραι; Latin: Patrae) is the capital and largest city of Western Greece, in the northern Peloponnese, 215 km (134 mi) west of Athens. It is Greece's third-largest city. The city is built at the foot of Mount Panachaikon, overlooking the Gulf of Patras.

As of the 2021 census, the municipality of Patras has a population of 215,922, while the urban population is 173,600. The core settlement has a history spanning four millennia. In the Roman period, it had become a cosmopolitan centre of the eastern Mediterranean whilst, according to the Christian tradition, it was also the place of Saint Andrew's martyrdom.

Dubbed as Greece's "Gate to the West", Patras is a commercial hub, while its busy port is a nodal point for trade and communication with Italy and the rest of Western Europe. The city has three public universities, hosting a large student population and rendering Patras an important scientific centre with a field of excellence in technological education. The Rio-Antirrio Bridge connects Patras's easternmost suburb of Rio to the town of Antirrio, connecting the Peloponnese peninsula with mainland Greece.

Every year, in February, the city hosts one of Europe's largest carnivals. Notable features of the Patras Carnival include its mammoth satirical floats and balls and parades, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors in a Mediterranean climate. Patras is also famous for supporting an indigenous cultural scene active mainly in the performing arts and modern urban literature. It was European Capital of Culture in 2006.