Mani Peninsula

The Mani Peninsula (Greek: Μάνη, translit. Mánē), also long known by its medieval name Maina or Maïna (Greek: Μαΐνη), is a geographical and cultural region in the Peloponnese of Southern Greece and home to the Maniots (Greek: Mανιάτες, romanized: Maniátes), who claim descent from the ancient Spartans. The capital city of Mani is Areopoli. Mani is the central of three peninsulas which extend southwards from the Peloponnese. To the east is the Laconian Gulf, to the west the Messenian Gulf. The Mani peninsula forms a continuation of the Taygetos mountain range, the western spine of the Peloponnese.