Alimos

Alimos Άλιμος
Location
Alimos
Coordinates	37°55′N 23°43′E
Location within the region
Government
Country:	Greece
Region:	Attica
Regional unit:	South Athens
Districts:	Ano-Kato Kalamaki
Mayor:	Thanos Orfanos  (PASOK) (since: January 1, 2007)
Population statistics (as of 2011)
Municipality
- Population:	41,720
- Area:	5.909 km2 (2 sq mi)
- Density:	7,060 /km2 (18,286 /sq mi)
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (min-max):	0–10 m ­(0–33 ft)
Postal code:	174 xx
Telephone:	210
Auto:	Z
Website
www.alimos.gr

Alimos (Greek: Άλιμος) is a suburb in the south-southwestern part of Athens, Greece, also known as Kalamaki (Καλαμάκι). Poseidonos Avenue runs in the western part of Alimos, with the Hymettus mountain to the east meeting mainly grassland, while areas to the north of Argyroupoli are forested. The nearest subway station is at Alexandros Panagoulis station and is also accessed by a tramway opened in 2004, serving as access with the Attiki Odos (number 63) to the east. Vouliagmeni is to the west, and the area lies South of Athens, Southeast of Piraeus, Northwest of Sounio, and almost directly north of the old Ellinikon International Airport, which served two entry points and several Olympic venues, including a basketball arena. The Saronic Gulf is located to its west.

Early in the 20th century the area consisted of farmland, primarily pastures and groves. In the 1940s and again in the 1970s, urban development and businesses replaced much of the farmland, so that today, much of the area is urbanized. Business is concentrated in the south and along main avenues. A large marina is situated to the west serving tens of piers with up to 1,100 boats. Depth ranges from 2 to 7 metres.

Alimos is considered as the closest summer destination for the Athenians who haven't yet left the city for vacation, because of its beaches (EOT beach and 'Loutra Alimou' are free, whereas there is a fee for entering 'Akti tou Iliou Beach') and nightclubs. Furthermore it is considered as one of the most expensive places among Athens, according to various researches, with prices estimated between 2500-4000 euros per m2.

Education

Alimos has a wide range of modern and fully equipped public and private schools. Twelve small public and four small private Kindergartens are located in Alimos. Each one has approximately 2 classrooms in order to create small school communities. There are also 8 public and 2 private elementary schools, 6 public and 1 private junior-high schools, 4 public and 1 private high schools. All of them have a great popularity among schools in Greece. There is also an Educational Lyceum (EPAL) which provides high technical education to its students. Two specialized junior high schools located in Alimos, a musical school and a sports school, are highly regarded.

Commercial activity

The commercial activity in Kalamaki or Alimos is concentrated in the major avenues that cross the city regional (Amfitheas-Poseidonos-Alimou) and the streets that are inside the city links (Thukididou-Kalamakiou-Theomitoros-Ionias-Dodekanisou). Thukididou Street contains the commercial activity of Kato Kalamaki (Lofos Pani-Ampelakia-Beach), and is near the Posidonos and the Alimou Avenue where are famous brand-name furniture shops. These shops attract consumers from all over Attica. In Vouliagmenis Avenue, near the Upper Kalamaki (Ano Kalamaki), shops with furniture and lighting products attract many customers from the southern Attica.

History

The first settlements uncovered by archeologists in Alimos date back to the Neolithic period, and the excavation site can be found in the region of Ano (upper) Kalamaki, immediately by the Vouliagmenis highway.

In classical antiquity, Alimos was a fishing town on the outskirts of the city-state of Athens and constituted one of the demes of Attica. Testament to its development during this period are the ruins of a small amphitheater, quite unusual in the ancient world in its rectangular design. The site can be found on Ancient Theater street in Ano Kalamaki (just a few blocks away from the Neolithic site). It is noteworthy that, while the town is more closely associated with its ties to the sea, as "alimos" in ancient Greek means "belonging to the sea", the main archeological sites are situated at the farthest point of the municipality from the shoreline.

The most significant historical affiliation of Alimos is that with Thucydides. Thucydides was born in Alimos, and is often referred to as "Thucydides the Halimousian" (Greek :Θουκυδίδης ο Αλιμούσιος). The bust of Thucidydes is the emblem of Alimos, which is commonly used between schools in the area. Furthermore, the First High School of Alimos (Greek :Πρώτο ΓΕ.Λ. Αλίμου) is called Thucydidio (Greek :Θουκυδίδιο), after him.

Local elections

2006 elections

In 2006, local elections were held in Alimos in 2 rounds. In the first round Mr Mantzouranis came first with 38,01% and Mr Orfanos came second with 29,29%. In the second round Mr Orfanos won and became the new mayor of Alimos with 52,13%. Mr Mantzouranis, with 47,87% lost his mayoral throne. On January 1, Mr Thanos Orfanos became the new mayor of Alimos.

2010 elections

In 2010, local elections were held again in 2 rounds.

1st round

• 1. Thanos Orfanos (Alimos, here we live) with 46,12%, 7.412 votes and 8 seats.
• 2. Nikos Tsamparlis (Alimos, all together) with 29,41% 4.727 votes and 5 seats.
• 3. Christos Douridas (Folk alliance for Alimos) with 13,18% 2.118 votes and 2 seats.
• 4. Dimitris Claudianus (Upside-Down in Kalamaki-Municipal movement of Alimos) with 11,29% 1.814 votes and 2 seats

2nd round

• 1. Thanos Orfanos (Alimos, here we live) with 60,89%, 6.990 votes and another 12 seats.
• 2. Nikos Tsamparlis (Alimos, all together) with 39,11%, 4.489 votes and another 4 seats.

Total seats:

• 1. Alimos here we live→ 20 seats
• 2. Alimos, all together→ 12 seats
• 3. Folk alliance for Alimos→ 2 seats
• 4. Upside-Down in Kalamaki-Municipal movement of Alimos→ 2 seats

The current mayor won the elections with increased rates since the last elections (+8,76%) and (+4 seats).

Historical population

Year	Population
1981	27,036
1991	32,024
2001	38,047
2011	41,720

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece

Alimos is twinned with:

• Niš, Serbia

External links

• City of Alimos official website (Greek)