Astakos (Greek: Αστακός, meaning "lobster") is a town and a former municipality in Aetolia-Acarnania, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Xiromero, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 345.099 km2.[3] It is located on a bay on the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea, near the southern end of the Acarnanian Mountains. It takes its name from the ancient Acarnanian town Astacus (Ancient Greek: Ἄστακος - Astakos),[4] and was named Dragamesti in the Middle Ages. It is speculated to be the site of ancient Dulichium.

Astakos
Αστακός
Astakos is located in Greece
Astakos
Astakos
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°32′N 21°5′E / 38.533°N 21.083°E / 38.533; 21.083
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitAetolia-Acarnania
MunicipalityXiromero
Area
 • Municipal unit345.1 km2 (133.2 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
5,719
 • Municipal unit density17/km2 (43/sq mi)
 • Community
2,617
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
300 06
Area code(s)26460
Vehicle registrationAI

It is 16 km southeast of Kalamos (island), 30 km southwest of Agrinio, 35 km northwest of Missolonghi and 55 km southeast of Preveza.

Subdivisions

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The municipal unit Astakos is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):

Economy

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The city has a port able to hold ferries. The countryside mainly produces wheat, corn and few grapes. Fishing is an important source of income.

Historical population

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Year Community Municipal unit
1981 2,724 -
1991 2,459 8,210
2001 2,560 7,330
2011 2,732 6,578
2021 2,617 5,719

Noteworthy persons

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ Kallikratis law Archived 2018-06-12 at the Wayback Machine Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
  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. ^   Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Astacus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
  5. ^ Pressfield, Steven (1998). Gates of Fire : An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae. New York: Bantam.