Astakos

Astakos
Αστακός
Astakos is located in Greece
Astakos
Astakos
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°32′N 21°5′E / 38.533°N 21.083°E / 38.533; 21.083
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitAetolia-Acarnania
MunicipalityXiromero
Area
 • Municipal unit345.1 km2 (133.2 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
5,719
 • Municipal unit density17/km2 (43/sq mi)
 • Community
2,617
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
300 06
Area code(s)26460
Vehicle registrationAI

Astakos (Greek: Αστακός, meaning "lobster") is a town and a former municipality in Aetolia-Acarnania, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Xiromero, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 345.099 km2.[3] It is located on a bay on the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea, near the southern end of the Acarnanian Mountains. It takes its name from the ancient Acarnanian town Astacus (Ancient Greek: Ἄστακος - Astakos),[4] and was named Dragamesti in the Middle Ages. It is speculated to be the site of ancient Dulichium.

It is 16 km southeast of Kalamos (island), 30 km southwest of Agrinio, 35 km northwest of Missolonghi and 55 km southeast of Preveza.

  1. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ Kallikratis law Archived 2018-06-12 at the Wayback Machine Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
  3. ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
  4. ^ Public Domain Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Astacus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.