The Peloponnese , Peloponnesia, or Peloponnesus (/ˌpɛləpəˈniːsəs/; Greek: Πελοπόννησος, romanized: Pelopónnēsos, IPA: [peloˈponisos]) is a peninsula and geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central

The principal modern cities of the Peloponnese are (2011 census):
• Patras – 170,896 inhabitants
• Kalamata – 62,409 inhabitants

Specialities of the region:
• Goges/Goglies (type of pasta)
• Giosa, lamb or goat meat

Mythology and early history
The peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its modern name derives from ancient Greek mythology, specifically the legend of the hero Pelops, who was said to have conquered the entire region. The name

• Arcadia – 100,611 inhabitants
• Argolis – 108, 636 inhabitants
• Corinthia – 144,527 inhabitants (except municipalities of Agioi Theodoroi and most of Loutraki-Perachora, which lie east of the Corinth Canal)

The Peloponnese possesses many important archaeological sites dating from the Bronze Age through to the Middle Ages. Among the most notable are:
• Bassae (ancient town and the temple of Epikourios Apollo and Greece's first UNESCO World Heritage

• Geography of Greece
• List of Greek place names