Araxos (Greek: Άραξος, Latin: Araxus) is a village and community in the municipal unit of Larissos, within the municipality of West Achaea, in the northwestern part of Achaea, Greece. It is located approximately 29 km southwest of Patras. The community consists of the villages of Araxos, Akrotirio Araxos, and Taxiarches. Araxos is situated in the coastal plains near Cape Araxos, which separates the Gulf of Patras from the Ionian Sea.

Araxos
Άραξος
Araxos is located in Greece
Araxos
Araxos
Coordinates: 38°10′N 21°25′E / 38.167°N 21.417°E / 38.167; 21.417
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitAchaea
MunicipalityWest Achaea
Municipal unitLarissos
Highest elevation
289 m (948 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community
218
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
271 00
Area code(s)26930

Two lagoons are located near the village of Araxos: Prokopos to the southwest and Kalogria (or Pappas or Araxos) to the north.[2] The Mavra Vouna hills lie to the north, with Cape Araxos as their northernmost point. Araxos is 4 km west of Lakkopetra, 1 km west of Araxos Airport, 5 km north of Metochi, and 13 km west of Kato Achaia.

Strofilia wetlands natural park

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The Strofilia Wetlands Natural Park and Kalogria beach are located on the northwest coast of the island. Strofilia is a 22 km2 (8.5 sq mi) national park that is part of the Natura 2000 network and is protected under the Ramsar Convention.[3] The wetlands ecosystem occupies a coastal zone of about 22 km (14 mi) in length, with an average width of 1.5 km (0.93 mi).[4] It is a complex coastal ecosystem that includes the lagoons of Prokopos and Kalogria (or Pappas), the Lamia marshes, and the forest of Strofilia (Natura 2000 codes: GR 232001 and GR233006). The Stone pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofilia is the most extensive Stone Pine forest in all of Greece and one of the largest in Europe. Most of the area consists of sand dune formations.[5][6]

Historical population

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Year Population community
1981 595
1991 403
2001 632
2011 509
2021 218

Araxos Air Base

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An auxiliary military airfield was constructed in the area in 1939. Construction of the base began around 1958, and it became operational in 1962. Currently, the base is used by the 116 Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force, which consists of the 335 Bombing Squadron and the 336 Bombing Squadron, both equipped with F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft.[7] The runway is 3352 m long, running in a south-to-north direction (18/36). The military installations are accessed from Lakkopetra to the north.

From 1978 to 2001, Araxos Air Base was also home to the NATO 345 Air Munitions Company. This unit was responsible for the U.S. B61 nuclear bombs intended for delivery by Hellenic Air Force A-7H aircraft under NATO nuclear sharing arrangements. The nuclear weapons were stored in vaults inside the base's Hardened Aircraft Shelters using the WS3 Weapon Storage and Security System.[8]

Araxos Airport

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Araxos Airport (IATA: GPA, ICAO: LGRX) is a civilian airport that shares its runway with the Araxos Air Base. It is the closest airport to the city of Patras. The airport serves a few civilian charter flights from northern Europe during the summer. The civil aviation installations are accessed from the south.[9]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Kalogria -Strofylia Forest". www.visit-achaia.gr. Archived from the original on 2018-04-23.
  3. ^ "Standard Data Form (GR2320001)". Natura 2000. European Environment Agency.
  4. ^ []http://strofylianationalpark.gr/national-park-of-kotychi-strofylia-wetlands/general-information-of-the-region/ Official website of the Management Body of Kotychi and Strofylia Wetlands private legal entity
  5. ^ "Strofilia forest".
  6. ^ "Strofilia the pines extravagance".
  7. ^ HAF 116 Combat Wing
  8. ^ Hans M. Kristensen (February 2005), U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe (PDF), Natural Resources Defense Council, retrieved 2006-05-23
  9. ^ Araxos Airport (in Greek) Archived June 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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