Chania Prefecture Map |
The City of Chania, the capital of Chania
prefecture, is located at the northeast09
part of the prefecture and constitutes the
administrative, economic, commercial, and
transport center of the homonymous
prefecture. The Municipality of Chania,
after applying "Kallikratis" Public
Administration Reform Plan, consists of
seven Municipal Units (former
municipalities): Akrotiri, Eleftherios
Venizelos, Keramia, Nea Kydonia, Theriso,
Souda, and Chania.
The Municipality of Chania borders on
Platania to the west, on Sfakia to the
south, on Apokorona to the east, while its
entire northern part borders the Sea of
Crete. The total area of the new
Municipality is 356.12 square kilometers.
The resident population of the Municipality
of Chania, according to the data of the
recent population census (2011) conducted by
the Hellenic Statistical Authority, is
108.642 residents, a number that represents
17.4% of the total Cretan population
(623.065 residents) and about 1% of the
total population of Greece (10.815.197
residents).
The City of Chania is the capital of the
Municipality and the second largest city of
Crete, built over the ruins of the Minoan
city Kydonia. Its area is 12.56 square
kilometers with a population of 53.910
inhabitants (population census 2011).
<Chania
city map>
The city has
two major gates: the airport in Akrotiri and
Souda harbour, which is the biggest natural
harbour of the Mediterranean. The city of
Chania constitutes a crossroad of
civilizations and continents with a long
history, natural beauty, unique architecture
and rich tradition. The main characteristic
of the city is the Venetian port of the old
city with the Egyptian lighthouse that has
survived for many centuries and attracts the
eye of residents and visitors. [source]
1664 map of Chania, by Ioannes Peeters (source) |