Apokoronas

Apokoronas Αποκόρωνας
Apokoronas
Location within the region
Coordinates: 35°23′N 24°12′E / 35.383°N 24.200°E / 35.383; 24.200Coordinates: 35°23′N 24°12′E / 35.383°N 24.200°E / 35.383; 24.200
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Crete
Regional unit	Chania
Area
• Municipality	315.5 km2 (121.8 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	12,807
• Municipality density	41/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)

Apokoronas (Greek: Αποκόρωνας) is a municipality and a former province (επαρχία) in Chania regional unit, north-west Crete, Greece. It is situated on the north coast of Crete, to the east of Chania itself. The seat of the municipality is the village Vryses. The municipality has an area of 315.478 km² (121.807 sq mi).

The Apokoronas extends from the foothills of the White Mountains north to the coast, in a wide plain with rolling hills. To the east, Cape Drapanon rises above the plain and extends out into the Sea of Crete. The area is very green and fertile, unusual for rocky Crete. The Kiliaris river, known in antiquity as 'Pyknos', runs through the region. Robert Pashley suggested that the name 'Apokoronas' came from the ancient city of Ippokoronas or Ippokoronion, also cited by Strabo. This city may have been located near modern Nipos, or on the site of the Venetian fortress, Castel Apicorono, on an outcrop between Kalyves and Almyrida. The major towns of Apokoronas are Vamos, Armenoi and Vryses, with police, municipal and utility offices as well as taverns and large churches; Kalyves, Almyrida and Georgioupoli are the largest beach resorts. Tourism and agriculture are the major local industries, with much construction and quarrying to satisfy the demands of many foreigners eager to buy or rent properties in what used to be beautiful and traditional villages. Gavalohori is among the more popular villages for foreign buyers, with a large amount of often low-quality building taking place. Many residents or workers in Chania also have homes in the area.