East Mani
Municipality in Greece
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
East Mani (Greek: Ανατολική Μάνη - Anatolikí Máni) is a Greek municipality in the Peloponnese administrative region, in the regional unit of modern Laconia. Its seat of administration is the town of Gytheio. It covers the southern portion of the mountainous and rocky Mani Peninsula, a geographic and cultural region long considered distinct and isolated relative to the rest of Greece. The neighboring municipality West Mani to its northwest encompasses the remainder of the Mani Peninsula. Both municipalities were established in 2011 following reforms to Greek administrative divisions. [2]
East Mani
Ανατολική Μάνη | |
|---|---|
Areopoli shoreline. | |
 | |
  East Mani | |
| Coordinates: 36°37′N 22°30′E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Peloponnese |
| Regional unit | Laconia |
| Seat | Gytheio |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 619.3 km2 (239.1 sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 108.9 km2 (42.0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 91 m (299 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Municipality | 12,779 |
| • Density | 20.63/km2 (53.44/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 1,010 |
| • Municipal unit density | 9.27/km2 (24.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 230 66 |
| Area code | 27330 |
| Vehicle registration | ΑΚ |
Geography
East Mani occupies the southeastern part of the Mani Peninsula, a region known as Laconian Mani (Λακωνική Μάνη) or Inner Mani (Μέσα Μάνη). The municipality of West Mani is to its north.
East Mani is bisected by the Taygetus Mountains; locals call its western half Aposkiaderi (shady) and the eastern side Prodiliaki (sunny).[3]
The 2021 Greece wildfires ravaged much of the Peloponnese. [4] East Mani took damage across 105 sq. km., with 35% of its mountain slope burnt in the wildfire .[5]
History
The municipality of East Mani was established in 2011 by the Kallikratis Programme, a nationwide administrative reform. As a consequence of the reform, the municipalities of Gytheio, Oitylo, and Sminos were merged into East Mani. [2]
Economy
The Mani Peninsula's natural beauty and colorful history make East Mani a thriving tourist destination today. Cliffs, blue waters, Mavrovouni and Skoutari beaches, the lighthouse on Cranaus, and the Diros caves are some of its notable attractions.[6] In the summer, festivals sponsored by local churches and cultural organizations are also popular.[6]
Area
The municipality has an area of 619.277 km2, the municipal unit 108.879 km2.[7]
Population
The population development of the municipal unit and the larger municipality East Mani are listed below.
| Year | Municipal unit | Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2,024 | - |
| 2001 | 2,111 | - |
| 2011 | 1,192 | 13,005 |
| 2021 | 1,010 | 12,779 |
