Astakos

Astakos (Greek: Αστακός, meaning "lobster") is a town and a former municipality in Aetolia-Acarnania, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Xiromero, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 345.099 km2.[3] It is located on a bay on the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea, near the southern end of the Acarnanian Mountains. It takes its name from the ancient Acarnanian town Astacus (Ancient Greek: Ἄστακος - Astakos),[4] and was named Dragamesti in the Middle Ages. It is speculated to be the site of ancient Dulichium.

Astakos
Αστακός
Astakos is located in Greece
Astakos
Astakos
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°32′N 21°5′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitAetolia-Acarnania
MunicipalityXiromero
  Municipal unit345.1 km2 (133.2 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
  Municipal unit
6,578
  Municipal unit density19/km2 (49/sq mi)
Community
  Population2,732 (2011)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
300 06
Area code(s)26460
Vehicle registrationAI

It is 16 km southeast of Kalamos (island), 30 km southwest of Agrinio, 35 km northwest of Missolonghi and 55 km southeast of Preveza.

Subdivisions

The municipal unit Astakos is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):

Economy

The city has a port able to hold ferries. The countryside mainly produces wheat, corn and few grapes. Fishing is an important source of income.

Historical population

YearCommunityMunicipal unit
19812,724-
19912,4598,210
20012,5607,330
20112,7326,578

Noteworthy persons

See also

References

  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Kallikratis law Archived 2018-06-12 at the Wayback Machine Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
  3. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
  4. Public Domain Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Astacus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
  5. Pressfield, Steven (1998). Gates of Fire : An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae. New York: Bantam.
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