Pefki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pefki Πεύκη

Location

Coordinates	38°4′N 23°48′E / 38.067, 23.8Coordinates: 38°4′N 23°48′E / 38.067, 23.8
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center):	260 m (853 ft)
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	Attica
Prefecture:	Athens
Districts:	1
Mayor:	Giánnis Theodorakópoulos
Population statistics (as of 2001^[1])
City Proper
- Population:	19,887
- Area:^[2]	2.176 km² (1 sq mi)
- Density:	9,139 /km² (23,671 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal:	151 xx
Area:	210
Auto:	Z
Website
www.dimospefkis.gr

Pefki or Pevki (Greek: Πεύκη meaning pine), is a suburb in the eastern northern area of Athens, Greece, and is divided into two parts, Ano- and Kato Pefki, while its name dates back to ancient times. Pefki is accessed by an ISAP green line of the outdoor subway station at the KAT ISAP station, and by bus (501, 541, A8), as well from a mini bus route (the line starting from the Neratziotisa ISAP station and from the KAT ISAP station). Pefki is accessed north with two exits with the Attiki Odos (number 6)/E94, which is also accessed via GR-1/E75 (Athens - Lamia - Thessaloniki) and GR-8/E94. It is located roughly SE of GR-1 and Kifissou Avenue, SW of Marathon, W of Kifissias Avenue, and about 14 km N of Athens via GR-1, and about 3 km S and north of the Attiki Odos (number 6). There are several main roads toward the town, including one linking Pefki and Kifissia, and the main street accesses the Olympic Stadium and Heraklio and Kifissias Avenue.

The area was formerly made up of farmland. Farmed areas used to dominate the land, which featured olive groves; in the 1950s and the 1970s, urban development and industrial buildings replaced much of the farmlands. The industrial area is situated in the western part of Pefki, and today, residential areas cover most of the land. The Parnitha and Penteli mountains to the northeast, and the higher parts of the mountains of Aegaleo and the Hymettus, can be seen.

Pefki runs schools, a few lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a train station, a sports centre, cinemas, post offices and squares (plateies),as well a a junior football/soccer team carrying the town's name. According to folklore the legendary "ghost-driver" with a red vehicle (Tsi) resides in Pefki.