Argyroupoli

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Argyroupli Αργυρούπολη

Location

Coordinates	37°54′N 23°45′E / 37.9, 23.75Coordinates: 37°54′N 23°45′E / 37.9, 23.75
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center):	50 m (164 ft)
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	Attica
Prefecture:	Athens
Mayor:	Demetris Eystathiades
Population statistics (as of 2001^[1])
City Proper
- Population:	33,158
- Area:^[2]	8.228 km² (3 sq mi)
- Density:	4,030 /km² (10,437 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal:	164 xx
Area:	210
Auto:	Z
Website
www.argyroupoli.gr

See also Argyroupoli (Rethymno), a village in Crete

Argyroupoli (Greek: Αργυρούπολη/ις meaning "silver city" from αργύρος argyros silver and πολη polis city), older form: Argyroupolis, Latin: Argyropolis, is a suburb in the southern part of Athens, Greece. The Hymettus mountain is to the east and are mainly grasslands while forests are north of Argyroupoli. The nearest subway station is at Alexandros Panagoulis station. It serves access with the Attiki Odos (number 63), the Hymettus Ring to the north and Vouliagmenis Avenue to the west. It is located S of Athens, SE of Piraeus and NW of Sounio.

The area were made up of farmlands that were mainly pastures or groves. In the 1960s and the 1990s, urban development and a few businesses replaced much of the farmlands. Argyroupoli has no farmlands left. The nearest beach is in Alimos. Businesses are within Vouliagmenis Avenue to the west. Roads are partially lined from north to south. A major avenue is Cyprus avenue that houses many business and cuts the city in half from East to West. The second major avenue is Marinou Geroulanou that houses the major residential areas of the city.

Argyroupoli has schools, a few lyceums, a few gymnasia, banks, a post office and squares (plateies) including Agia Triada square. In addition its has a state of the art Gymnastics complex. The city's athletic association is called A.O.N.A., meaning Athletic Association of Youth of Argyroupolis.

Argyroupoli is named after its counterpart in Northeastern Turkey, modern Gümüşhane. Gümüşhane translated means Argyroupoli or "silver city". It acquired this name from the many Pontic Greek refugees who settled from Pontus as a result of the exchange of populations during World War I. The majority of these refugees were from Gümüşhane. Argyroupoli resembles its Turkish counterpart. It is built on a plain with the Hymettus mountain to its North. Its Turkish counterpart is also built on a plain with the Pontic Alps to the North. This explains the reasoning behind the name. The first church to be built in Argyroupoli is Αγία Βαρβάρα (St. Barbara). St. Barbara was the patron saint of the now Turkish city.