Georgioupoli

Georgioupoli (Greek: Γεωργιούπολη) is a resort village and former municipality in the Chania regional unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 53.498 km2 (20.656 sq mi).[3] It is located 39 kilometres (24 miles) east of Chania, about 23 km (14 mi) west of Rethymno and about 100 km (62 mi) west of Heraklio. It was named after Prince George of Greece, high commissioner of the island in the last years of Ottoman occupation.

Georgioupoli
Γεωργιούπολη
View of Georgioupoli and Mount Psiloritis
View of Georgioupoli and Mount Psiloritis
Georgioupoli is located in Greece
Georgioupoli
Georgioupoli
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 35°21′N 24°15′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCrete
Regional unitChania
MunicipalityApokoronas
 • Municipal unit53.5 km2 (20.7 sq mi)
Elevation
22 m (72 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit
2,749
 • Municipal unit density51/km2 (130/sq mi)
Community
[1]
 • Population936 (2011)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
730 07
Area code(s)28250, 28253
Vehicle registrationΧΝ, XB
Websitewww.georgioupolis.gov.gr

Geography

Georgioupolis is found at the apex of Almiros Bay on the Sea of Crete, with Cape Drapano and its rocky coast to the north and the long sandy beaches towards Rethimno in the east, just 20 km (12 mi) away. Three rivers meet the sea at the village; the largest, Almiros, creates a small harbour for fishing and tourist boats. The entrance to the village on the old road from Vrisses is a long avenue of eucalyptus trees.

Agios Nikolaos church
Georgioupolis beach

Formerly a small fishing village, Georgioupolis is very much a tourist town now, with many cafés, tavernas and small hotels and apartment blocks. The town square is surrounded by outdoor seating used by tourists enjoying their drinks and ice creams. The 9 km (6 mi) beach is the main attraction of the area, with Kalyvaki beach on the other side of the river as well. Nearby Lake Kournas is also a popular excursion by foot, bicycle or tourist 'train'. Georgioupolis is a well-located base for exploring the traditional villages of the area towards Vamos or into the White Mountains to the south.

Archaeological evidence points to Georgioupoli as the site of ancient Amphimalla (Amfimala or Amfimalion), the port of Lappa, a classical city at modern Argyroupoli.

Municipal unit

Georgioupolis, with 513 residents at the 2001 census, is the largest village of the municipal unit of the same name, covering several other villages inland as far as Kournas. The town hall of Georgioupoli municipality is at Kavros-Kournas. The mayor until 2006 was Georgios Papadakis. Ferdinandos Marikakis was elected as mayor on 15 October 2006. The office was renamed "Deputy Mayor" at the 2010 elections, at which time the office was won by Iosifis (Joseph) "Sifi" Stavroulakis. Since August 2012, he has also held responsibility for all sewerage works in the Apokoronas region.

In 2010 the new Kalikratis plan was introduced, bringing all municipalities in Apokoronas, including Georgioupoli, together. On 14 November 2010 Grigoris Markakis was elected mayor of Apokoronas, at the head of the DEKA party, winning after the second round of voting.

Sunrise over Georgioupoli and Lefka Ori (White Mountains)

Historical population
YearVillage populationMunicipal unit population
1991616-
20015132,483
20114552,749

Notable residents
  • Priest Demetrios of Agioi Isidoroi Church Athens: from Argyromouri, Exopoli

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece

Twin towns – Sister cities

Georgioupoli is twinned with:

See also

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  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. "Twinnings" (PDF). Central Union of Municipalities & Communities of Greece. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  5. "Municipality of Georgioupolis". Administrator. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
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