Lechovo

Lechovo Λέχοβο
Lechovo
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 40°35′N 21°30′E / 40.583°N 21.500°ECoordinates: 40°35′N 21°30′E / 40.583°N 21.500°E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	West Macedonia
Regional unit	Florina
Municipality	Amyntaio
Population (2001)[1]
• Municipal unit	1,227
Community
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Vehicle registration	ΡΑ

Lechovo (Greek: Λέχοβο) is a village and a former community in Florina regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Amyntaio, of which it is a municipal unit.^[2] Population 1,227 (2001). The picturesque village is set amongst the mountains of Northern Greece and the main road runs through the town's centre. The town features a museum, a football pitch and an indoor handball stadium. The town has stone architecture common to many northern Greek towns. This architecture is highlighted in the old upper square (plateia) and church bell tower.

The Tosk Albanian dialect is often spoken by the village elders.^[3] After World War II, many people emigrated to Germany, Australia, Canada and the USA to work in the construction industry. Men from Lechovo played a vital role in the World Wars and they showed great patriotism and heroism against the invaders (the old name of the town was Ηρωικό-Hereoico, means Heroic). Lechovo is famous for its constructors and bricklayers. Their job is unique and the tradition of this art kept alive to nowadays.

References

1. De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 39 MB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.
2. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
3. Raymond G. Gordon, Raymond G. Gordon, Jr., Barbara F. Grimes, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Ethnologue: Languages of the World, SIL International, 2005, ISBN 1-55671-159-X, 9781556711596. Online version (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=als)