Glyfada

Glyfada
Γλυφάδα
Glyfada

Coordinates: 37°52′N 23°45′E / 37.867°N 23.750°E / 37.867; 23.750Coordinates: 37°52′N 23°45′E / 37.867°N 23.750°E / 37.867; 23.750
Country Greece
Administrative region Attica
Regional unit South Athens
Government
 • Mayor Giorgos Papanikolaou (New Democracy)
Area
 • Municipality 25.366 km2 (9.794 sq mi)
Highest elevation 200 m (700 ft)
Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Municipality 87,305
 • Municipality density 3,400/km2 (8,900/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 166 xx, 165 xx
Area code(s) 210
Vehicle registration I
Website Δήμος Γλυφάδας

Glyfada (Greek: Γλυφάδα, pronounced [ɣliˈfaða]) is a suburb of Athens, situated in the southern parts of the Athens Metropolitan Area. The area, which is home to many of Greece's millionaires, ministers and celebrities, stretches from the foot of the Hymettus mountain to the Saronic Gulf. It is the largest of Athens' southern suburbs. This fashion-conscious suburb is known in Greece for its upmarket cafes, well-known restaurants, boutiques and cosmopolitan summer clubs; Glyfada has also been called "Knightsbridge-on-Sea",[2] "Hellenic Hamptons",[3] or the "Beverly Hills of Greece".

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.

History

In ancient times, the area was a deme known as Aixone (Αἰξωνή). Today, Glyfada is packed with some of the capital's best-known nightclubs, upscale restaurants and shops. It could be argued to be one of the most "Americanized" of Athenian municipalities, since an American airbase was located nearby until the early 1990s. The base's population contributed in part to Glyfada's character, leading to a unique blend of Greek and American atmosphere and cuisine. Although the base is now gone and the school relocated, Glyfada still retains part of its American flavour while continuing to offer distinctly Greek cuisine, entertainment and nightlife.

Glyfada was established as the heart of Athens' southern suburbs, because of its prime waterfront location, rich commercial centre, and modern business district. It has been described as the headpoint of the 'Athens Riviera' and features some of Europe's most opulent seafront residences, 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 Athens' neighbourhoods, with a collection ranging across specialist and designer boutiques. Its proximity to a succession of beaches and a concentrated seaside club scene also greatly increases the number of visitors during the summer months. The area’s shopping district runs across Metaxa Avenue and Grigoriou Labraki Street while both the offices of major businesses and shopping areas also dot the Avenues Voyliagmenis, Goynari and Gennimata.

At the beginning of the 20th century the town had already changed its name to "Glyfada", a name given because of the presence of salt-water wells typical of this area.

Geography

The municipality has an area of 25.366 km2.[4] Glyfada Marina includes marine space and coastal land area totaling 3 kilometres (2 miles), and a concrete land mass between basins A and B with a length of roughly 250 metres (820 feet), between basins B and G with a length of roughly 150 metres (490 feet), between basins G and D with a length of roughly 300 metres (980 feet), and between basin D until the end of the basin of roughly 350 metres (1,150 feet), with all harbor facilities and buildings found within this space.

Northwest is the golf course of Athens, the Glyfada Golf Club, located south of the former Ellinikon Airport. To the east and northeast is an urban sprawl which spreads over the southwest shoulder of Mt. Hymettus and its rocky landscape.

Transportation

Poseidonos Avenue.

Glyfada is connected to central Athens via two major avenues (Poseidonos Avenue and Vouliagmenis Avenue) and a tram line operated by STASY S.A which goes across the seaside next to Posidonos Avenue.

Municipality

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 Thanasis Papakostas, who is the mayor of Glyfada for the 2006-2010 period. Kostantinos Kokoris was just elected Mayor.

Sports

The Glyfada Indoor Hall is located at the Municipality, formerly a major indoor sport venue of local Athens teams. Glyfada is the seat of ANO Glyfada, club with many honours in Greek Water Polo and Glyfada F.C..

Sport clubs based in Glyfada
Club Founded Sports Achievements
ANO Glyfada1946 Water PoloPanhellenic titles in Water Polo both Men and Women teams
Terpsithea Glyfada B.C.1958Basketball, FootballPresence in A1 Ethniki women
Glyfada F.C.
(founded as Kerafnos Glyfada)		1976Football Presence in Gamma Ethniki
Spartakos Glyfadas1979BaseballPanhellenic titles in baseball

Famous residents and people

Historical population

Year Population
1981 44,018
1991 63,306
2001 80,409
2011 87,305

Districts

Twin cities

Glyfada is twinned with the following cities:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. ↑ Facaros, Dana (2007-09-23). "Athens Riviera: the sleek new getaway". London: Sunday Times. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  3. ↑ "Glyfada". Worlds Best Bars. 2007-09-23. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  4. ↑ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
 Elliniko Argyroupoli
Saronic Gulf Kropia
   Glyfada  
Voula
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