Glyfada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Glyfada (disambiguation).
 Glyfada (Γλυφάδα) |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°52′ N 23°45′ E |
| Country | Greece |
| Periphery | Attica |
| Prefecture | Athens |
| Population | 83,665 (2001) |
| Area | 25.37 km² |
| Population density | 3,170 /km² |
| Elevation | 5 m |
| Postal code | 166 xx |
| Area code | 210 |
| Licence plate code | Z |
Glyfada (Greek: Γλυφάδα) is an exclusive and elegant municipality of Athens in Greece situated south of Ellinikon and south-east of Athens. The City of Glyfada, stretches out from the foot of Hymettus mountain and reaches out to embrace the sea of Saronikou. The City of Glyfada is the largest city in the Southern Suburbs of Athens.
In ancient times, the area was a deme known as Aixone (Αιξώνη). Nowadays Glyfada is a beach town packed with restaurants, and is known (among Greeks and tourists alike) for its vibrant nightlife. It is arguably the most "Americanized" of Athens' municipalities, since an American airbase was located nearby in the 1980's. The base's population helped to shape Glyfada's character in terms of the types of restaurants and shopping centers there, leading to a unique blend of Greek and American atmosphere and cuisine. Although the base is now gone and the school relocated, Glyfada has still retained some of its American flavor, while continuing to offer its distinctly Greek cuisine, entertainment, and nightlife.
Glyfada was established as the centre of Athens' Southern Suburbs, because of its prime waterfront location, rich commercial center, modern business district, and developed transportation network. It is known as the Riviera of the East and today boasts some of Europe's most marvellous homes, beautiful gardens, and extensive beachfront property with a modern Marina.
The town hall is located at the center of the municipality. Nearby, Glyfada’s shopping district has one of the most vibrant and diversified commercial centres of all Athens neighbourhoods. It combining a good store selection, including designer stores, with numerous cafes and restaurants. It's proximity to beaches and the concentrated seaside club scene increases the number of visitors in the summer. Glyfada’s shopping district runs through Posidonos Avenue, Pandora, Cyprus, Saki, Karagiorga. Major business offices and shopping parks are available throughout the Avenues Voyliagmenis, Goynari and Gennimata, where visitors can combine shopping with other day-to-day other activities.
Glyfada Marina includes marine space and coastal land area totaling 3 kilometers, and a concrete land mass between basins A and B with a length of roughly 250 meters, between basins B and G with a length of roughly 150 meters, between basins G and D with a length of roughly 300 meters, and between basin D until the end of the basin of roughly 350 meters, with all harbor facilities and buildings found within this space.
Northwest is the forested wooded golf course of Athens, the Glyfada Golf Club, located south of the old Airport of Athens. To the east and northeast is an urban sprawl which spreads over the southwest shoulder of Mt. Hymettus and its rocky landscape. The roads are lined and curved to nearly NW at a 90 degree angle. It also has a marina and a popular beach. Its beaches are located in the western part of the municipality. Half of the municipality is located on rocky landscape of Mount Hymettus. The urban sprawl of Athens began in the 1950s and 1960s and continued into the 1990s when housing developments continued in that part of Hymettus.
Glyfada is connected to central Athens via two major avenues (Posidonos and Vouliagmenis) and a tram line which goes across the seaside next to Posidonos Avenue.
On the quay at Glyfada is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for sea turtles, run by ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. The staff there provide free educational tours of the facilities and treatments for visitors.
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[edit] Glyfada and its people
Glyfada has also become famous for its residents which include mythical billionaire Aristotle Onassis, Onassis's and Athina Livanos's daughter Christina Onassis but also the Mitsotakis family, who own a summer house in Glyfada. In addition former President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Karamanlis visited Glyfada and its Golf course several times in the past.
[edit] Local Politics
32,492 people registered with the Municipality of Glyfada voted during the Municipal Elections of October 2006. At the second round, 54.79% of the votes were for Ioannis G. Theodoropoulos, who is the mayor of Glyfada for the 2006-2010 period.
[edit] Subdivisions
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official Website of Glyfada
- Business directory of Glyfada
- GLYFADA GOLF CLUB OF ATHENS
- Geographical information
- Online Business Forum and Guide
- Info pages Glyfada
[edit] Historical population
| Year | Municipal population | Change | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 44,018 | - | 1,760.72/km² |
| 1991 | 63,306 | 19,288/43.82% | 2,532.24/km² |
| 2001 | 83,665 |
