Acharnes

Acharnes Αχαρνές
Acharnes
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°5′N 23°44′E / 38.083°N 23.733°ECoordinates: 38°5′N 23°44′E / 38.083°N 23.733°E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	East Attica
Government
• Mayor	Sotiris Douros (Ind.)
Area
• Municipality	149.0 km^2 (57.5 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	146.4 km^2 (56.5 sq mi)
Elevation	186 m (610 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Municipality	106,943
• Municipality density	720/km^2 (1,900/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	100,743
• Municipal unit density	690/km^2 (1,800/sq mi)
Community
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	136 xx
Area code(s)	210
Vehicle registration	Z
Website	www.acharnes.gr

Acharnes (Greek: Αχαρνές, before 1915: Μενίδι Menidi^[2]) is a suburban town in Attica, Greece. With 106,943 inhabitants (2011 census), it is the most populous municipality in East Attica. It is part of the Athens metropolitan area.

Geography

The northern part of the municipality is covered by the forested Parnitha mountains. The southern part is in the plain of Athens, and is densely populated. The built-up area of Acharnes, in this southern part of the municipality, is continuous with that of the adjacent suburbs to the west, east and south. The centre of Acharnes is 11 kilometres (7 miles) due north of Athens city centre. The two other settlements in the municipality, Thrakomakedones and Varympompi, are situated further north, in the foothills of Parnitha.

Acharnes is crossed by several important roads and railways, including Motorway 6, the Piraeus–Platy railway and the Athens Airport–Kiato railway. The Acharnes Railway Center is the main railway junction of Attica.

Acharnes is home to the Folk Art Museum of Acharnes.

History

Acharnes was named after the deme Acharnae (Ancient Greek: Ἁχαρναί), a subdivision of Attica in classical antiquity. The Athenian playwright Aristophanes characterised the inhabitants of Acharnae as peasants in his play The Acharnians. Acharnes suffered significant damage from the 1999 Athens earthquake, being very close to the epicenter.

Municipality

The municipality Acharnes was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 2 former municipalities, that became municipal units:^[3]

• Acharnes
• Thrakomakedones

Historical population

Year	Municipal unit	Municipality
1981	41,068	-
1991	61,352	-
2001	75,341	-
2011	100,743	106,943

Sporting teams

• Acharnaikos F.C. - second division

See also

• List of municipalities of Attica

References

1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
2. Name changes of settlements in Greece
3. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)