Gavalou

Gavalou (Greek: Γαβαλού) is a town and a community in the municipal unit of Makryneia, Aetolia-Acarnania, Greece. In 2011 its population was 1,018 for the town, and 1,051 for the community, which includes the small village Kourtelaiika. The town is located south of Lake Trichonida, the largest natural lake of Greece. It is 7 km east of Papadates, 10 km northwest of Kato Makrinou and 15 km southeast of Agrinio.

Gavalou

Γαβαλού
Gavalou
Coordinates: 38°31′N 21°31′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitAetolia-Acarnania
MunicipalityAgrinio
Municipal unitMakryneia
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Rural
1,051
Community
 • Population1,018 (2011)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

Population
YearTown populationCommunity population
19811,407-
19911,383-
20011,3861,484
20111,0181,051

History

Gavalou may be built at or near the site of the ancient Aetolian town Trichonium, from which the Lake Trichonida derived its name. Its position is uncertain. Leake places it S. of the lake at a place called Gavala, and Kiepert, in his map E. of the lake. But since Strabo mentions it along with Stratus as situated in a fertile plain, it ought probably to be placed N. of the lake (Strab. x. p. 450; Pol. v. 7; Steph. B. s. v.). It was evidently a place of importance, and several natives of this town are mentioned in history. (Pol. iv. 3, v. 13, xvii. 10; Paus. ii. 37. § 3; Leake, Northern Greece, vol. i. p. 155.)

The Old Aetolia was the seacoast extending from the Achelous to Calydon, reaching for a considerable distance into the interior, which is fertile and level; here in the interior lie Stratus and Trichonium, the latter having excellent soil. A prominent figure was Alexander of Trichonium in Aetolia and he was commander of the Aetolians in 218 and 219 BC. He attacked the rear of the army of Philip on his return from Thermus, but the attempt was unsuccessful, and many Aetolians fell. (Polyb. v. 13)

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
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