Araxos
Araxos (Greek: Άραξος, Latin: Araxus) is a village and a community in the municipal unit of Larissos of the municipality West Achaea in the northwestern part of Achaea, Greece, approximately 29 km south-west of Patras. The community consists of the villages Araxos, Akrotirio Araxos and Taxiarches. It is located in the coastal plains near Cape Araxos, which separates the Gulf of Patras from the Ionian Sea. There are two lagoons near the village Araxos: Prokopos to the southwest and Kalogria (or Pappas or Araxos) to the north.[2] The Mavra Vouna hills are in the north, Cape Araxos being their northernmost point. It is 4 km west of Lakkopetra, 1 km west of Araxos Airport, 5 km north of Metochi and 13 km west of Kato Achaia.
Araxos Άραξος | |
|---|---|
Araxos | |
| Coordinates: 38°10′N 21°25′E / 38.167°N 21.417°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | West Greece |
| Regional unit | Achaea |
| Municipality | West Achaea |
| Municipal unit | Larissos |
| Highest elevation | 289 m (948 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Community | 218 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 271 00 |
| Area code(s) | 26930 |
Strofilia wetlands natural park edit
Near the village of Araxos we find the Strofilia natural park and the famous Kalogria beach. Strofilia is a national park of 22 km² which is part of the Natura 2000[3] network and is protected under the Ramsar Convention. The wetlands ecosystem occupies a coastal zone of about 22 km in length and with an average width of 1500 m.[4] It is a compound coastal ecosystem, that includes the lagoons of Prokopos and Kalogria (or Pappas) the Lamia marshes, as well as the forest of Strofilia (Natura 2000 codes: GR 232001 and GR233006). The Stone pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofylia, is the most extensive Stone pine forest in all of Greece and one of the largest in Europe. Most of the area lies in sand-dune formations.[5][6]
Historical population edit
| Year | Population community |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 595 |
| 1991 | 403 |
| 2001 | 632 |
| 2011 | 509 |
| 2021 | 218 |
Araxos Air Base edit
An auxiliary military airfield was constructed in the area in 1939. Construction of the base began around 1958 and it became operational in 1962. Currently the base is used by 116 Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force which consists of 335 Bombing Squadron and 336 Bombing Squadron, both equipped with F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft.[7] The runway length is 3352 m running in a south to north direction (18/36). The military installations are accessed from Lakkopetra to the north.
From 1978 to 2001 Araxos Air Base was also home of the NATO 345 Air Munitions Company. This unit was responsible for U.S. B61 nuclear bombs intended for delivery by Hellenic Air Force A-7H aircraft under NATO nuclear sharing arrangements. The nuclear weapons were stored in vaults inside the base's Hardened Aircraft Shelters using the WS3 Weapon Storage and Security System.[8]
Araxos Airport edit
Araxos Airport (IATA: GPA, ICAO: LGRX) is a civilian airport that uses the military base runway. Araxos is the closest airport to the city of Patras. During summer time the airport serves a few civilian charter flights from northern Europe. The civil aviation installations are accessed from the south.[9]
Gallery edit
- The Umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofylia and the Prokopos lagoon.
- Prokopos Lagoon
- Kalogria (Prokopos) Lagoon Shore
- Prokopos Lagoon Panorama
- Partial panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon within Strofylia Forrest, near Araxos village, Kalogria Village, Kalogria beach and Araxos Cape in Western Achaia, Greece.
- Partial panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- The Umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofylia and the Prokopos lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
- Halocnemum strobilaceum in Prokopos Lagoon.
- Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon with Halocnemum strobilaceum.
- Saint Peter's orthodox chapel surrounded by Halocnemum strobilaceum in Prokopos Lagoon.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "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.
- ^ . www.visit-achaia.gr. Archived from the original on 2018-04-23.
- ^ "Standard Data Form (GR2320001)". Natura 2000. European Environment Agency.
- ^ []http://strofylianationalpark.gr/national-park-of-kotychi-strofylia-wetlands/general-information-of-the-region/ Official website of the Management Body of Kotychi and Strofylia Wetlands private legal entity
- ^ "Strofilia forest | Forests | Nature | Achaea Prefecture | Regions | WonderGreece.gr".
- ^ "Strofilia the pines extravagance".
- ^ HAF 116 Combat Wing
- ^ Hans M. Kristensen (February 2005), U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe (PDF), Natural Resources Defense Council, retrieved 2006-05-23
- ^ Araxos Airport (in Greek) June 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
External links edit
- Araxos Airport in Greek Airport Guide