The prefecture of Florina is located at northern Greece and borders with FYROM and Albania at the north and west respectively, while at the southern borders with the prefectures of Kozani and Kastoria and east with the prefecture of Pella. It is one of the four prefectures of western Macedonia and its population is 54,768 inhabitants according to 2001 census. The capital city of the prefecture is Florina. The other major town of the prefecture is Amyntaio located in the south, near Petron and Vegoritida Lakes. Near Amyntaio there is the traditional village of Nymfaio.

Just 18 km east of the town of Florina there is the Vigla Pisoderi Ski Center and at the east the Prespa Lakes. The Big Prespa Lake is the focal point of three countries (Greece, Albania and FYROM), the three-nation. At the prefecture are rising the mountains Triklario in the west, Verno in the south, Voras at the east and Varnountas in the north.

The prefecture consists of eight municipalities: Aetos, Amyntaio, Kleines, Meliti, Perasma, Prespa, Filota, Florina and four communities: Variko, Krystallopigi, Lechovo, Nymfaio.

The climate of the prefecture is affected by the geographical location and altitude of the region, coupled with the big mountains and the presence of the Lakes at Prespa and at the region of Amyntaio. The climate is purely continental, with cold winters, very wet and snow and an average annual temperature of 11,5 °C, while there is considerable difference between the three bogs of Amyntaio, Florina and Prespa. The presence of lakes affects positively the microclimate of the neighboring areas, providing milder conditions during the winter, although during long periods of frost the smaller lakes freeze.

The prefecture of Florina suffered heavy losses of human resources during the 50's and 60's, as a result of the internal (to the major urban centers) and external (U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, Eastern Europe) migration and refugees, due to unfavorable political conditions that prevailed during the period of foreign occupation, subsequent civil unrest, but also the distorted growth.

Agriculture and livestock are the most dynamic sectors of the economy, that with the fisheries, forestry and the participating mines participate with the 30% to the Gross National Product (GNP) of the prefecture and make the region agro-livestock mainly. In recent years however there is a strong growth in the tourism sector. The sights and the activities of Florina is so many that attract a great amount of visitors each year who enjoy their stay in the very luxury hotels, guesthouses and rooms in Florina and taste the local dishes in restaurants and taverns.

BEAUTIFUL NATURAL AREAS

Vigla Pisoderi Ski Center

Vigla, 18 km from Florina, where mountains of Bernos and Varnountas are united, there is the Vigla Pisoderi Ski Center, one of the first that operated in Greece, at an altitude of 1650 meters. The organized ski center, the only one in Greece, located at National Highway, has a lot of snow and offers tracks in at forested slopes, natural delineated by trees and four lifts, two aviation and two sliding, three tracks, approved by the F.I.S., one of them, of Pisoderi, length 2,500 m, fulfills the wishes of demanding skiers. Also, there are mountain-ski resort, guesthouse, chalets, restaurant, cafeteria, equipment rental and ski lessons.

Nymfaio
The beautiful Vlach village at Vitsi, which was reborn from its ashes after years of neglect, offers to visitors a thrill. In Nymfaio will find fascinating nature and excellent tourist infrastructure, the best in a village. The beautiful Nymfaio is located at an altitude of 1350 m and is bounded by the virgin forest by oaks. Nymfaio is one of the most important preservable traditional villages of Greece and one of ten most beautiful villages of Europe. The houses of Nymfaio, urban mansions, were filled with beautiful furniture, decorated with unique pieces, while the utilitarian objects of everyday life were the latest European fashion. Exhibits all of these are shown at village's impressive small museum.

Prespa National Park

The name Prespa refers to the most north-western plateau of the Greek territory, which is isolated from the rest of the prefecture of Florina, by Varnountas at east and Triklario at south. At north, there is no natural boundary, except one that separates political the Megali Prespa to three neighboring countries: Greece, Albania and FYROM. Mikri Prespa is an oblong lake with a surface area of 47.35 sq km, of which 43.5 are in Greece and the rest in Albania. Megali Prespa has a total area of 272 sq km, of which 37-39 are in Greece. From early on, it was recognized for its uniqueness and importance and the Greek State declared it as an area of National Park in 1974. This is the largest national park in Greece, with an area of 250 sq km, of which the absolute protection zone covers 49.3 sq km.

Vegoritida and Petron Lake

At the limits of southwestern endpoints of Vora with the lowest points in the northeast parts pf basin of Amyntaio have formed Petron and Vegoritida Lakes. Vegoritida Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Greece. Petron Lake has over ninety species of birds, while their cluster has more than 130, many of which are endangered. The two lakes are among the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000.

Zazari Lake and Cheimaditida Lake

Although they are two separate lakes with different characteristics, almost always are mentioned together, perhaps because they form a single region, and the interactions between them are reciprocal. Zazari Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Greece, at an altitude of 602 meters, has an area of about 2 sq km. It is fed by the Sklithro River and underground sources, then feeds the Cheimaditida Lake. Cheimaditida Lake is larger, has an area of 10.8 sq km and is located 9 m below the Zazari. The two lakes are among the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000.

Varnountas
Varnountas is the natural boundary between the basin of Florina and the basin of Prespa and extends from the northern of the town of Florina up and across the border with FYROM. Varnountas is among the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000. It's characterized by different vegetation types with many rare and important species of flora. Varnountas is one of the last refuges of wild life in Greece.

Verno
Verno or Vitsi is somehow Varnountas sequel and natural boundary of the prefectures of Florina and Kastoria. The highest peak is Vitsi, with a height of 2128 meters. Verno is one of the European network of protected areas Natura 2000. The natural environment is very important for many species of fauna such as the bear and others.

Voras
Voras (Kaimaktsalan) is the third highest mountain in Greece with its top to reach 2524 meters. It is the natural boundary of the prefectures of Pella and Florina, while its low-southwestern slopes separate the area of Florina and Amyntaio. Although the first picture of the mountain by the side of Florina shows a dry and barren mountain, the entire mountain has large areas with high flora. This results in the presence of too many important species of fauna. Voras is among the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000.