| Agios Nikolaos Άγιος Νικόλαος |
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 The promenade of the city. |
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| Location | |
 Agios Nikolaos
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| Coordinates | 35°11′N 25°43′E / 35.183°N 25.717°ECoordinates: 35°11′N 25°43′E / 35.183°N 25.717°E |
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Location within the region
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| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Region: | Crete |
| Regional unit: | Lasithi |
| Mayor: | Dimitrios Kounenakis |
| Population statistics (as of 2011)[1] | |
| Municipality | |
| - Population: | 27,074 |
| - Area: | 512.0 km2 (198 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 53 /km2 (137 /sq mi) |
| Municipal unit | |
| - Population: | 20,679 |
| - Area: | 317.8 km2 (123 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 65 /km2 (169 /sq mi) |
| Community | |
| - Population: | 12,638 |
| Other | |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
| Elevation (min-max): | 0–10 m (0–33 ft) |
| Postal code: | 721 00 |
| Telephone: | 28410 |
| Auto: | ΑΝ |
| Website | |
| www.aghiosnikolaos.gr | |
Agios Nikolaos (or Aghios Nikolaos, Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the island's capital Heraklion, north of the town of Ierapetra and west of the town of Sitia. In the year 2011, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, which takes in part of the surrounding villages, claimed 27,074 inhabitants. The town is a municipality of Crete region, and sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara.
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History [edit]
Agios Nikolaos was settled in the late Bronze Age by Dorian occupants of Lato, at a time when the security of the Lato hillfort became a lesser concern and access to the harbour at Agios Nikolaos became sufficiently attractive.[2]
The name Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas, and its stress lies on the second syllable of the word "Nikolaos". Agios Nikolaos or Ayios Nikolaos (alternative transliterations of the Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος) is observably a common placename in Greece and Cyprus, since Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and of all of Greece.
Modern Agios Nikolaos [edit]
Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon Lake Voulismeni, small beaches in the town, the tiny island Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs. Tourism is mainly West European with Greek tourism concentrating in mid August. The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafès. The modern city of Agios Nikolaos, Crete became internationally well-known during the 60's, "discovered" by famous cinema directors (Jules Dassin, Walt Disney etc.), BBC producers and many others. It was then, that the rapid tourist development of the area started.
Daphne du Maurier's short story Not After Midnight was set in and around the town.
Municipality [edit]
The municipality Agios Nikolaos was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[3]
Transportation [edit]
Agios Nikolaos is accessible from the mainland and the whole of Europe through Nikos Kazantzakis airport, and the many daily ferry services in Heraklion (64 km). You can also travel through Sitia airport boarding onto a domestic or charter flight or through its harbour (67 km). Recently the town became host to a department of a Technological Educational Institute (TEI), offering tourism-related courses.
Notable people from Agios Nikolaos [edit]
- Mimis Androulakis (1951) politician
- Maria Damanaki (1952) politician
- Nikos Koundouros (1926) director
Gallery [edit]
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Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos.
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The church of Agia Triada.
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View of the port.
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View of town.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Detailed census results 2011 (Greek)
- ^ C.Michael Hogan, Lato Fieldnotes, The Modern Antiquarian, Jan 10, 2008
- ^ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Agios Nikolaos |
Agios Nikolaos travel guide from Wikivoyage- Homepage of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos
- Homepage of the Marina of Agios Nikolaos
- Photos of Agios Nikolaos
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