Nea Ionia

Nea Ionia (Greek: Νέα Ιωνία, meaning New Ionia) is a northern suburb of Athens, Greece, and a municipality of the Attica region. It was named after Ionia, the region in Anatolia from which many Greeks migrated in the 1920s as a part of the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Many of the town families originated from the town of Alanya which is currently a part of Turkey.

For the city in Magnesia, see Nea Ionia, Magnesia.
Nea Ionia

Νέα Ιωνία
Nea Ionia
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°2′N 23°45′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitNorth Athens
Government
 • MayorDespoina Thomaidou
Area
 • Municipality4.421 km2 (1.707 sq mi)
Elevation
130 m (430 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipality
67,134
 • Municipality density15,000/km2 (39,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
142 xx
Area code(s)210
Vehicle registrationZ
Websitewww.neaionia.gr

Nea Ionia is 7 km northeast of Athens city centre. The municipality has an area of 4.421 km2.[2] It is served by three STASY commuter rail stations: Nea Ionia, Pefkakia and Perissos.

History

In the past, the area was named Podarades after Greek Revolution Hero of Albanian origin Ziliftar Poda and his followers, settled in this area.[3] The modern settlement was built after the Greco-Turkish War (1919-22) and the subsequent population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923.[4] That year refugees, mainly from Pisidia of Asia Minor, settled in the area. The new settlement originally named Nea Pisidia. But later, due to the arrival of many refugees from other places of Ionia, the settlement was finally named Nea Ionia. The suburb developed rapidly thanks to carpet handicrafts. The refugees carried their expertise in Athens and opened important carpet handicrafts.[3][4] This branch was the main economical source for the residents of Nea Ionia for many years. Nea Ionia gradually increases its population and was expanded in a large area. The suburb today comprises the districts of 13 neighborhoods: Nea Ionia (Center), Perissos, Inepoli, Pefkakia, Saframpoli, Neapoli, Eleftheroupoli, Alsoupoli, Kalogreza, Lazarou, Anthrakorihia, Irini, Omorfoklissia and Palaiologou.

Sports

Nea Ionia is the seat of the clubs O.F. Nea Ionia (Όμιλος Φιλάθλων Νέας Ιωνίας), club founded in 1926 with achievements in handball[5] and Nea Ionia F.C.. Other notable clubs are Eleftheroupoli F.C. with earlier presence in Beta Ethniki and DIKE.AS. Nea Ionia with current presence in A1 Ethniki handball. In the past there are also the important clubs PAO Saframpolis, PAO Kalogrezas and Ikaroi Neas Ionias which are inactive today.

Sport clubs based in Nea Ionia
Club Founded Sports Achievements
O.F. Nea Ionia1926HandballPanhellenic title in women handball
Eleftheroupoli F.C.1929FootballEarlier presence in Beta Ethniki
Nea Ionia F.C.1939FootballPresence in Gamma Ethniki
DIKE.AS. Nea Ionia2004HandballPresence in A1 handball men

Historical population
YearPopulation
198159,202
199160,635
200166,017
201167,134

Notable people

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
  3. "ΝΕΑ ΙΩΝΙΑ: "Ποδαράδες", το ταπητουργικό κέντρο της Ελλάδας". enet.gr. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  4. "Ιστορία". neaionia.gr. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  5. "Ιστορία". ofni.org.gr. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.

See also
  • List of municipalities of Attica
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