Sithonia
|
Sithonia Σιθωνία |
|
|---|---|
View from Neos Marmaras.
|
|
 Sithonia
|
|
|
Location within the region
 |
|
| Coordinates: 40°13′N 23°41′E / 40.217°N 23.683°ECoordinates: 40°13′N 23°41′E / 40.217°N 23.683°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Central Macedonia |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 516.8 km2 (199.5 sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 322.9 km2 (124.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipality | 12,394 |
| • Municipality density | 24/km2 (62/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 8,841 |
| • Municipal unit density | 27/km2 (71/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Vehicle registration | ΧΚ |
Sithonia (Greek: Σιθωνία), also known as Longos, is a peninsula located south of the central part of Chalkidiki which is also in the south-central part of the Chalkidiki peninsula. The Kassandra Peninsula lies to the west and the Mount Athos peninsula at the east. Sithonia is also a municipality, covering the Sithonia peninsula. The seat of the municipality is the town Nikiti.
Gulfs that surround the peninsula are the Singitic Gulf to the east and the Toronean Gulf to the west. The mountain Itamos or Dragoudelis is in the center of the peninsula. Amongst the many places in Sithonia is the ancient city, the castle and the church of Agios Athanasios in Toroni, the windmills in Sikia and the 16th century church in Nikiti. Porto Koufo, is the largest and safest natural harbor in Greece, which is mentioned by Thucydides as "hollow harbor"; it appears to be the fishing spot in the area.
South, from the harbors exit there is Kartalia, the most southern part of Sithonia, a very impressive area which puts its visitors under a spell with its rocky secluded beaches. Known for their natural beauty are the beaches Azapiko, Tristinika, Korakas, Marathias, Kalamitsi, Kriaritsi. All the villages cover the peninsula mainly in the central and the southern portions.
In the middle of Sithonia peninsula, near the village of Neos Marmaras, there is the famous holiday resort of Porto Carras; the place of the 2003 European Union leaders' Summit. The landscape is covered with vineyards, forests, grasslands, shrubland and mountains.
The municipality Sithonia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 2 former municipalities, that became municipal units:
The municipality has an area of 516.848 km2, the municipal unit 322.875 km2.
...
Wikipedia