Gerakas
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Gerakas Γέρακας |
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The City of Ancient Gargittos
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 Gerakas
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Location within the regional unit
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| Coordinates: 38°2′N 23°51′E / 38.033°N 23.850°ECoordinates: 38°2′N 23°51′E / 38.033°N 23.850°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Attica |
| Regional unit | East Attica |
| Municipality | Pallini |
| • Municipal unit | 6.633 km2 (2.561 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 200 m (700 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 374 m (1,227 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 190 m (620 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipal unit | 29,939 |
| • Municipal unit density | 4,500/km2 (12,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 153 44 |
| Area code(s) | 210 |
| Vehicle registration | Z |
| Website | www.gerakas.gr |
Gerakas (Greek: Γέρακας) is a suburb of Athens and a former municipality in East Attica, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Pallini, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.
In antiquity Gerakas constituted Attica's deme of Gargittos of the Aegides tribe that was located at the mesogea land, according to the administrative model of Cleisthenes. Today, it is a rapidly developing city of the northern mesogea and the eastern gate to the Athens basin. It is known as the birthplace of the famous philosopher Epicurus.
The city is set at a significant place at the junction of Ymittos and Penteli foothills. The limits of Gerakas expand from Stavros up to the Koufos and Desi Hills, 12 km northeast of the centre of Athens and just 2 km west of Pallini. The city has a population of 29,939 residents (in 2011), covering a land area of 6.633 km2 and having a population density of 4,514 residents per km2. Gerakas can be seen at an elevation of 190 to 374 metres, giving the area both flat and mountainous characteristics.
The first permanent residents inhabited around the old Athens–Laurium highway that passed through, descending from Northern Greece, mostly Arvanites from Ipiros sent to the Masogean plain at around 1205 a. C. as mercenaries to protect the Duchy of Athens. On the northern part of the city islanders from the Aegean Sea came to work at the world famous marble workshops of Penteli. Until the late 1970s, most of the land was covered by farmhouses that constitute a Paianian settlement, while in 1980 it was recognized as a new commune of East Attica. The name of the commune arises after an informal referendum among the three settlements of "Gerakas", "Stavros" and "Gargittos". The center of the city is located around the Mekedonias Square, northern of Marathonos Avenue, which is a meeting place for all residents and visitors, a true adornment, whereas St. John is the patron saint of Gerakas. The main shopping district runs along the Marathonos Avenue, where the industrial and business activity is located.
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Wikipedia