Spata

Spata Σπάτα
View of "Heroes' square", Spata, with the monument to the fallen.
Spata
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°58′N 23°55′E / 37.967°N 23.917°ECoordinates: 37°58′N 23°55′E / 37.967°N 23.917°E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	East Attica
Municipality	Spata-Artemida
• Municipal unit	55.042 km^2 (21.252 sq mi)
Elevation	150 m (490 ft)
Population (2001)[1]
• Municipal unit	10,419
• Municipal unit density	190/km^2 (490/sq mi)
Community
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	190 04
Area code(s)	210
Vehicle registration	Z
Website	www.spata.gr

Spata (Greek: Σπάτα), is a town 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Athens, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Spata-Artemida, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.^[2]

Geography and economy

Spata is situated in the middle of the Mesogaia plain, east of mount Hymettus and west of the Aegean Sea coast. Athens International Airport ("Eleftherios Venizelos") covers the eastern portion of Spata. It is located southeast of Pallini, southwest of Rafina, west of Artemida and about 22 kilometres (14 mi) east south east of Athens.

The town proper is made up of residential neighbohoods. Farmland, mostly vineyards and olive groves, lie around. Retsina wine was the traditional cash crop of the whole area, complemented with olives and olive oil, figs, almonds, pistacchios, and wheat. Nowadays viticulture is dwindling as a mass occupation, albeit supplanted by the emergence of many modern wineries that mostly specialize in vinifying the local Savatiano grape. The bulk of the grape and wine business is handled by the local co-operative. In 1995, the southern portion was committed to construction of the new Athens International Airport, which was completed in March 2001. The Attica Zoological Park, or "Attica Zoo", opened in May 2001 and is Athens' and Greece's largest zoo.

Spata has five kindergartens, three elementary schools, two secondary schools, a police station, Post Office, several bank offices, and a junior football/soccer team, Aittitos (Invincible). The training facilities of AEK FC are also located there.

The municipal unit of Spáta also incorporates various small exurbs: Agía Kyriakí (pop. 540), Neápoli (461), Ágios Ioánnis (241), Velanidiá (237), Christoúpolis (230), Foínikas (229), Ágios Serafeím (220), Étos Stéko (111), Ágios Nikólaos Boúra (103), and Ímeros Péfkos (93).

History

The area included the ancient Athenian demes of Erkhiá (Ερχιά), the birthplace of the historian and general Xenophon, and Kýthēros (Κύθηρος); a Mycenean cemetery has been excavated at the southern edge of town, the exhibits being hosted in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Evidence of small ancient settlements abound in the area, the most notable being the Neolithic fortified settlement on Zágani hill. Several of these were excavated during works for the airport and are being exhibited in the main airport building.

Since the Medieval Ages, Spata has been inhabited by Arvanites. The town (then village) was repopulated by the medieval Tosk clan of Shpata around the 15th century, after they emigrated from Epirus. It was named after Gjin Bua Shpata, who was despot of Arta in the 14th century.^[3]

The patron saints of the town are the Sts. Peter and Paul, celebrated on July 29 at the Byzantine chapel of the same name, located near the eastern edge of the town. The feast is accompanied by the medieval custom of the distribution of the stifado, a beef-and-onions stew cooked overnight in cauldrons and distributed to the faithful outside the chapel after Mass.

Economy

Olympic Air has its head office in Athens International Airport in Spata.^[4][5] Goody's S.A., a Greek fast food company, is also headquartered at the airport.^[6]

Government and infrastructure

The Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board has an office at the airport.^[7]

Historical population

Year	Town population	Municipality population
1981	6,398	-
1991	6,725	7,796
2001	8,167	10,419
2011	-	12.333

References

1. De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 39 MB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.
2. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
3. Jochalas, Titos P. (1971): Über die Einwanderung der Albaner in Griechenland: Eine zusammenfassene Betrachtung ["On the immigration of Albanians to Greece: A summary"]. München: Trofenik. p. 26
4. "Olympic Air officially welcomed with full honors the Hellenic Paralympic team." (Archive) Olympic Air. 2012. Retrieved on 6 April 2013. "The arrival ceremony in honor of our athletes was held at Olympic Air’s headquarters (Building 57), Athens International Airport, with emotions of great pride and excitement."
5. "Travelair Club -> Partners Terms and Conditions." (Archive) Olympic Air. Retrieved on 6 April 2013. Under "Delta Air Lines" tab: "It is clarified that, boarding pass as well as original ticket must be forwarded as evidence to the following mail address : Olympic Air, Travelair Club department, Athens International Airport, Building 57, 190 19, Spata, Greece." - Greek (Archive): "Olympic Air, Τμήμα Travelair Club, Διεθνής αερολιμένας Αθηνών, Κτίριο 57, Τ.Κ. 190 19, Σπάτα – Αττικής."
6. "Contact" (Archive). Vivartia. Retrieved on 6 June 2014. "GOODY’S S.A. – everest A.E. International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos Building 14B, 19019 – Spata – Attica" - Address in Greek (Archive): "GOODY’S A.E. - everest A.E. Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών «Ελ. Βενιζέλος» Κτίριο 14B, 19019 – Σπάτα Αττικής"
7. "Contact Us." (Archive) Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board. Retrieved on 20 June 2011. "Address for Correspondence & Unit Address: AIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND AVIATION SAFETY BOARD Ex American Base Building 221, Helliniko Athens 167 01 GREECE" and "Board Address: AIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND AVIATION SAFETY BOARD Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos” Building 11, Office 1311 Spata 190 19 GREECE" – Addresses in Greek (Archive): "Διεύθυνση Αλληλογραφίας και Έδρα Μονάδας: ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ ΔΙΕΡΕΥΝΗΣΗΣ ΑΤΥΧΗΜΑΤΩΝ & ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑΣ ΠΤΗΣΕΩΝ Πρώην Αμερικάνικη Βάση, Κτίριο 221, Ελληνικό, 167 01 ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ" and "Έδρα Επιτροπής: ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ ΔΙΕΡΕΥΝΗΣΗΣ ΑΤΥΧΗΜΑΤΩΝ & ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑΣ ΠΤΗΣΕΩΝ Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών, Κτίριο 11, Γραφείο 1311 190 19 ΣΠΑΤΑ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ" – Also "Address for Correspondence & investigation Unit Address" (Elliniko) and "Board office at Athens Airport" (Spata) – Greek: "Μονάδα Διερευνήσεων Στο Ελληνικό" and "Γραφεία Επιτροπής στο ΔΑΑ (Σπάτα)", respectively

External links

• Official website (Greek)