Missolonghi or Messolonghi (, ) is a municipality of 34,416 people (according to the 2011 census) in western Greece. The town is the capital of Aetolia-Acarnania regional unit, and the seat of the municipality of Iera Polis Messolongiou (). Missolonghi is known as the site of a dramatic siege during the Greek War of Independence, and of the death of poet Lord Byron. Geography The town is located between the Achelous and the Evinos rivers and has a port on the Gulf of Patras. It trades in fish, wine, and tobacco. The Arakynthos mountains lie to the northeast. The town is almost canalized but houses are within the gulf and the swamplands. The Missolonghi–Aitoliko Lagoons complex lies to the west. In the ancient times, the land was part of the gulf. Climate Summers are long, hot and humid, with temperatures often surpassing 40 °C and remaining above 25 °C at night. Winters are short, mild and humid with frequent rainfalls. Transport National Transport The new Greek National Motorway 5 (Ionia Odos) passes north of Missolonghi. The town had a railway station on the Hellenic Railways Organisation line from Krioneri to Agrinio but this has been abandoned since the 1970s. The Intercity Buses Of Aitoloakarnania also have service towards Agrinio, Amfilochia, Astakos, Volos, Vonitsa, Thessaloniki, Lamia, Larisa, Livadeia, Mitikas, Patras, Chalkida and the capital Athens. The local airport has a hard runway but no scheduled services. The closest airport with scheduled services is Aktion National Airport just an hour and half away. Two new ferry connections towards Zakynthos, Cephalonia, and Ithaca are to be launched by the next summer season (2019 - 2020). Education Three departments of university of Patras based in the city. Administration The municipality Missolonghi (official name: ) was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units: Aitoliko Missolonghi Oiniades The municipal unit Missolonghi is subdivided into 8 communities: Agios Georgios Agios Thomas Ano Koudouni Ellinika Evinochori Missolonghi Mousoura Retsina The municipality has an area of 680.372 km2, the municipal unit 280.168 km2. Province The province of Missolonghi () was one of the provinces of the Aetolia-Acarnania Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipality Missolonghi (except part of the municipal unit Oiniades) and the municipal units Angelokastro, Arakynthos and Makryneia. It was abolished in 2006. History Early history North-west of Missolonghi are the