Laganas (Greek: Λαγανάς) is a village and a former municipality on the island of Zakynthos, Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Zakynthos, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit Laganas covers the southernmost part of Zakynthos. Its municipal seat was the town of Pantokratoras. The municipal unit of Laganas has a land area of 74.104 km².[3] The central and eastern part of the municipal unit are flat, but there are hills up to 450 m elevation in the west. The Zakynthos International Airport lies in the eastern part of the municipal unit, near Kalamaki. The beach village Laganas, part of the community of Pantokratoras, is on the southeastern coast. A large part of Laganas is a national park, established for the protection of turtles.

Laganas
Λαγανάς
Laganas is located in Greece
Laganas
Laganas
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°44′N 20°51′E / 37.733°N 20.850°E / 37.733; 20.850
CountryGreece
Administrative regionIonian Islands
Regional unitZakynthos
MunicipalityZakynthos
Area
 • Municipal unit74.104 km2 (28.612 sq mi)
Elevation
98 m (322 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
7,192
 • Municipal unit density97/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

History

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The name "Laganas" comes from the Greek word "lagini" meaning "jug", referring to the former manufacture of pottery in the area of Lithakia and Kalamaki. Laganas suffered great damage from the 1953 Ionian earthquake.

Population

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Year Village population Municipal unit population
1991 233 4,303
2001 543 5,894
2011 729 6,986
2021 766 7,192

Laganas attractions

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Lagana beach

An attraction of Laganas is the migration of the loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Each year during the months of June, July and August the turtles migrate to the Bay of Laganas to lay their eggs on the beach. This is a protected beach which is watched over by ecologists at all times.

Laganas is home to over 100 bars and clubs[4] and is busiest during the summer months of June, July & August.[5]

Subdivisions

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

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. ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  3. ^ "Population & Housing Census 18th March 2001 (Usual Resident Population: (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). Pireas: National Statistical Service of Greece. 2009. ISSN 1106-5761. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Zante Strip | Zante". www.thisiszante.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Zante 18-30 Guides - Q & A | Project Zante". projectzante.com. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2017.