Yerakini

Yerakini Γερακινή
Yerakini as seen from the west
Yerakini
Coordinates: 40°17′N 23°27′E / 40.283°N 23.450°E / 40.283; 23.450Coordinates: 40°17′N 23°27′E / 40.283°N 23.450°E / 40.283; 23.450
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Central Macedonia
Regional unit	Chalkidiki
Municipality	Polygyros
Government
• Mayor	Asterios Zografos (Greek: Αστέριος Ζωγράφος [asˈteɾios zoˈɣɾafos]) (of Polygyros)
Highest elevation	100 m (300 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	22,048 (of Polygyros)
• Municipal unit	11,386 (of Polygyros)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	631 00
Area code(s)	+30 23710
Vehicle registration	ΧΚ
Website	http://www.interalex.net/search?q=yerakini

Yerakini or Gerakini (Greek: Γερακινή, Greek pronunciation: [ʝeɾaciˈni]) is a village in the Chalkidiki peninsula in Central Macedonia, Northern Greece.

It has been the port of nearby Polygyros, the capital town of Chalkidiki, ever since its settlement. Its beaches attract thousands of tourists and holidaymakers during the summer. It has the largest magnesite deposits in Northern Greece.

The word Γερακινή (Yerakini) comes from γερακίνα (yerakina ([jeɾaˈcina]) meaning female peregrine falcon (falcon-gentle) (from γεράκι ([jeˈɾaci]), from ιέραξ ([iˈeɾaks]) falcon). There is a legend that the name came from a queen named Yerakina (Gerakina) who lived in Yerakini once.

Yerakini lies on the gulf of Torone, between the two fingers (smaller peninsulas) of Kassandra and Sithonia, southeast of Thessaloniki.

Yerakini is at a distance of 14.5 km (9 mi.) from Polygyros, 77 km (48 mi.) from Thessaloniki, via Polygyros, or 78 km, via Nea Moudania, and 66 km (41 mi.) from the Thessaloniki International Airport. Its geographical position offers the option to travelers to travel to and from Thessaloniki either by the frequent bus route (from Thessaloniki to Sarti) (KTEL), or by car or other vehicle, via Polygyros or Nea Moudania.