Kalamáta ( ) is the second most populous city of the Peloponnese peninsula, after Patras, in southern Greece and the largest city of the homonymous administrative region. As the capital and chief port of the Messenia regional unit, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf. The 2011 census recorded 69,849 inhabitants for the wider Kalamata Municipality, of which, 62,409 resided in the municipal unit of Kalamata, and 54,567 in the city proper. Kalamata is renowned as the land of the Kalamatianos dance and Kalamata olives. Name The modern name Kalamáta is a corruption of the older name Καλάμαι, Kalámai, "reeds". The phonetic similarity of Kalamáta with the phrase καλά μάτια "kalá mátia" ("good eyes") has led to various folk etymologies. Administration The municipality Kalamata was formed as part of the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following four former municipalities, each of which subsequently became municipal units: Arfara Aris Kalamata Thouria The municipality has an area of , the municipal unit . Subdivisions The municipal unit of Kalamata is subdivided into the following communities (population according to the 2011 census, settlements within the community listed): Municipal communities (; population over 2,000): Kalamata (population: 54,567; Agioi Pantes, Agios Fanourios, Bournias, Filothei, Giannitsanika, Kalamata, Kallithea-Kourti Rachi, Kokkinorachi, Koutala, Menina, Moni Velanidias, Moni Profiti Ioil, Profitis Ilias) Verga (population: 2,252; Agriomata, Ano Verga, Kato Verga, Mousga, Pano Galari-Kampinari, Paralia Vergas) Local communities (; population under 2,000): Alagonia (population: 176; Alagonia, Machalas) Antikalamos (population: 361; Antikalamos, Goulismata) Artemisia (population: 142; Agios Ioannis Theologos, Artemisia, Theotokos) Asprochoma (population: 1,490; Akovitika, Asprochoma, Kagkareika, Kalami, Katsikovo, Lagkada-Dimitrakopouleika) Elaiochori (population: 270; Arachova, Dendra, Diasella, Elaiochori, Moni Dimiovis, Perivolakia) Karveli (population: 63; Agia Triada, Emialoi, Karveli, Kato Karveli) Ladas (population: 85; Agia Marina, Agios Vasileios, Ladas, Silimpoves-Agios Vasilis) Laiika (population: 1,253; Laiika, Katsaraiika, Spitakia, Xerokampi) Mikri Mantineia (population: 705; Alimoneika, Mikra Mantineia, Zouzouleika) Nedousa (population: 135) Piges (population: 80; Piges, Skourolakkos) Sperchogeia (population: 830) Province The province of Kalamata () was one of the provinces of the Messenia Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Kalamata and West Mani. It was abolished in 2006. History The history of Kalamata begins with Homer (Greek: Ομηρος) who mentions Firai, an ancient city built more or less where the Kalamata Castle stands today. It was long believed that the area that the city presently occupies was covered by the sea