Istiaia

Istiaia
Ιστιαία
Istiaia
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°57′N 23°09′E / 38.950°N 23.150°E / 38.950; 23.150Coordinates: 38°57′N 23°09′E / 38.950°N 23.150°E / 38.950; 23.150
Country Greece
Administrative region Central Greece
Regional unit Euboea
Municipality Istiaia-Aidipsos
 • Municipal unit 181.3 km2 (70.0 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit 7,091
 • Municipal unit density 39/km2 (100/sq mi)
Community[1]
 • Population 5,522 (2011)
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+3 (EEST)
Vehicle registration ΧΑ
View from Dexameni Hill

Istiaia (Greek: Ιστιαία, pronounced [istiˈe.a], before 1913: Ξηροχώρι - Xirochori[2]) is a town and a former municipality in Euboea, Greece. It was named after the ancient town Histiaea, which was mentioned by the ancient Greek poet Homer.[3] Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Istiaia-Aidipsos, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.[4] The municipal unit has an area of 181.299 km2.[5] At the 2011 census the population was 7,091 for the municipal unit and 5,522 for the community.

The town is located in the northwestern end of the island Euboea, 5 km from the north coast, and north of the mountain Telethrio. It was the capital of Istiaia Province until its abolishment in 2006. Visitor attractions of Istiaia include the Museum of Natural History and the church of Agios Nikolaos.[6]

Subdivisions

The municipal unit Istiaia is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages and population at the 2011 census given in brackets):

  • Avgaria (pop. 96)
  • Galatsades (Galatsades, Kamatriades, pop. 148)
  • Galatsona (pop. 65)
  • Istiaia (Agios Georgios, Istiaia, Kanatadika, Nea Sinasos, Neochori, pop. 5,522)
  • Kamaria (pop. 381)
  • Kokkinomilea (pop. 72)
  • Kryoneritis (pop. 189)
  • Milies (pop. 169)
  • Monokarya (Kato Monokarya, Monokarya, pop. 155)
  • Voutas (Voutas, Kyparissi, Simia, pop. 294)

Population history

YearPopulation communityPopulation municipal unit
19913,966-
20015,3437,353
20115,5227,091

History

Istiaia was named after the ancient town Histiaea, already mentioned by Homer in his Iliad. The old town was situated 2 km west of the present town. Archaeological findings from 2000 BC have been done, suggesting a settlement existed here in the Middle Helladic period.

Near the ancient town, a new town was founded, named Xirochori. Its name was changed into Istiaia in 1913, after the ancient town Histiaea.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. 1 2 EETAA Name changes of settlements (in Greek)
  3. ↑ Iliad 2.537
  4. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ Voria Evia travel guide
  • Drandakis Great Greek Encyclopedia, Vol XIII, p. 268


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.