Nikaia, Attica Explained

Nikaia
Name Local:Νίκαια
Type:municipal unit
Periph:Attica
Periphunit:Piraeus
Municipality:Nikaia-Agios Ioannis Rentis
Pop Municunit:88077
Population As Of:2021
Area Municunit:6.649
Elevation:40
Coordinates:37.9667°N 61°W
Postal Code:184 xx
Area Code:210
Licence:Z
Website:www.polisnikaia.gr

Nikaia (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Νίκαια, Níkaia), known before 1940 as Kokkinia (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Κοκκινιά, Kokkiniá),[1] is a town and a suburb of the Piraeus agglomeration, in the southwestern part of the Athens urban area, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Nikaia-Agios Ioannis Rentis in the regional unit of Piraeus, and it is the seat and a municipal unit of the municipality.[2]

Geography

Nikaia is located 2.5km (01.6miles) north of Piraeus, and 7km (04miles) west of central Athens. The municipal unit has an area of 6.649 km2.[3] The main streets are Gregori Lambraki Street and Petrou Ralli Street.

Climate

According to the station of the National Observatory of Athens Nikaia has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) with mild winters and hot summers.

Transport

Nikaia metro station of line 3 situated on the city. Also served by buses (OSY).

History

On August 17, 1944, took place the Executions of Kokkinia. It was the largest Nazi roundup and one of the largest-scale war crimes perpetrated during the German occupation of Greece.

Nikaia, like many other places around Greece, owes its population eruption to Greek refugees who were forced out of Asia Minor after the 1919-1922 Greco-Turkish war ended. It was part of the municipality of Piraeus until 1933, when it became a separate municipality, then still under the name Nea Kokkinia.[4] It was renamed to Nikaia in 1940.[1] [4]

The 8th International Tournament of Nikaia, a chess tournament, took place between August 19 and 27, 2000. The Greek Weightlifting Grand Prix took place in Nikaia on December 9 and 10, 2003.

Sports

Nikaia has four sport clubs with important history. These are Proodeftiki with a great successful history in the football, Ionikos Nikaias with successful departments in the football (Ionikos Nikaias F.C.) and basketball (Ionikos Nikaias B.C.), A.E. Nikaias and Aris Nikaias.

Sport clubs based in Nikaia
ClubFoundedSportsAchievements
Proodeftiki1927Long-time presence in Superleague
Chalkidona F.C.1930FootballEarlier presence in Superleague
Ionikos Nikaias1965Long-time presence in Superleague (taking part in the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup), earlier presence in A1 Basketball
Aris Nikaias1973 (refounded)Basketball, Handball, Water PoloPanhellenic titles in women handball
A.E. Nikaias1974 (refounded)One Greek cup in volleyball

Sites of interest

Historical population

Year Municipality
1981 90,368
1991 87,597
2001 93,086
2011 89,380
2021 88,077

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://pandektis.ekt.gr/pandektis/handle/10442/170194 Name changes of settlements in Greece
  2. Web site: ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities. el. Government Gazette.
  3. Web site: Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation). National Statistical Service of Greece. el.
  4. Web site: EETAA local government changes . 29 June 2020.