Tsamantas

Tsamantas refers to a historical region and a former administrative division in Epirus, Greece.

Historically, Tsamantas encompassed the area inhabited by the Tsamides, a sub-group of the broader Albanian Souliotes. The region is largely mountainous and located in the western part of Epirus, near the border with Albania. Its inhabitants were known for their fiercely independent spirit and their resistance against Ottoman rule. The term "Tsamantas" is sometimes used to refer to the wider area of Thesprotia, though historically it specifically denoted the mountainous interior.

Administratively, Tsamantas was a province (Greek: επαρχία, eparchia) within the Ioannina Prefecture. With the Kallikratis reform in 2011, the eparchies were abolished, and the area formerly constituting the province of Tsamantas is now part of the municipalities of Filiates and Souli.

The history of Tsamantas is intertwined with the history of Epirus and its struggles for independence. The region played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence, and its mountainous terrain provided a natural refuge for rebels and resistance fighters. The population of Tsamantas experienced significant demographic changes throughout the 20th century, particularly after World War II, with migration to urban centers and abroad. The region retains a distinct cultural identity and historical significance within Epirus.