Ekali
| Ekali Εκάλη | |
|---|---|
  Ekali | |
|
Location within Athens  | |
| Coordinates: 38°6′N 23°50′E / 38.100°N 23.833°ECoordinates: 38°6′N 23°50′E / 38.100°N 23.833°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Attica |
| Regional unit | North Athens |
| Municipality | Kifisia |
| • Municipal unit | 4.332 km2 (1.673 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 330 m (1,080 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 5,889 |
| • Municipal unit density | 1,400/km2 (3,500/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 145 78 |
| Area code(s) | 210 |
| Vehicle registration | Z |
Ekali (Greek: Εκάλη) is an aristocratic affluent suburb of Athens, Greece. Located to the north of the city, it is a green and lush area home to many of the country's most powerful business and shipping families.[2] Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality of Kifisia, as a municipal unit.[3] It was named after the ancient Greek deme of Hecale.
Geography
Ekali is situated at the western end of the forested Penteli mountain range. The municipal unit has an area of 4.332 km2.[4] The small river Kifisos forms the western border of the municipal unit. Ekali is situated 4 km (2 mi) northeast of Kifisia, 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Agios Stefanos and 16 km (10 mi) northeast of Athens city centre.
The main thoroughfare is Thiseos Avenue (Greek National Road 83), which connects Ekali with Kifisia and central Athens. Motorway 1 (Athens - Thessaloniki) passes west of Ekali. Ekali is a purely residential area, which means that retail, commercial shops and professional businesses are not permitted within the community.
People
- Giannis Spyropoulos (one of the most popular Abstract Greek painters) lived in Ekali. In 1990 after the painter's death the Spyropoulos Foundation was established there.
- Former Socialist Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou lived in Ekali in his final years and the Greek media often used "Ekali" in the same way the British media use "Downing Street" or the American media use "the White House".
- Shipping, oil and banking heir and billionaire Spiros Latsis.
- Vardis Vardinogiannis, prominent billionaire businessman.
- Andreas Vgenopoulos (businessman), financier, largest shareholder of Marfin Investment Group.
- Anna Vissi, famous Greek singer and artist.
Sites of interest
- Giannis Spyropoulos Museum
In popular culture
Ekali is synonymous with great wealth and privilege. Its residents are sometimes frowned upon for being cut off from problems facing ordinary Greek people. Dahlia Hatzialexandrou, a leading character in hit series Sto Para Pente, lived in Ekali. She played the role of a clueless heiress who has no conception of the value of money.
See also
References
- ↑ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
- ↑ ekathimerini.com | Where do the richest and poorest Greeks live?
- ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
- ↑ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
External links
- Official Website of Ekali (Greek)
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Anoixi | Stamata | | |
| Nea Erythraia |  |
Drosia | ||
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| Nea Erythraia | Kifisia | Dionysos |
