Marathon, Greece

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Image:Flag of Greece.svg Marathon (Μαραθώνας)
Coordinates	38°9′ N 23°57′ E
Country	Greece
Periphery	Attica
Prefecture	East Attica
Population	8,882 source (2001)
Area	97.06 km²
Population density	92 /km²
Elevation	28 m
Postal code	190 07
Area code	22940
Licence plate code	Z
Website	www.marathon.gr

Marathon (Modern Greek: Μαραθώνας, Marathónas; Ancient Greek/ Katharevousa: Μαραθών, Marathón) is a town in Greece, the site of the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, in which the Athenian army defeated the Persians. A legendary run of a messenger named Phidippides from Marathon to Athens, a distance of 26.2 miles or 42 kilometres, after the battle forms the basis for the modern-day marathon race. When the messenger arrived in Athens, he shouted "NENIKIKAMEN" (we were victorious) and died. Later for mourning Athens' soldiers, a mound was made. Today there is a park around this mound.

Marathon (μάραθον) is the Greek word for fennel. It is believed that the town was originally named so because of an abundance of fennel plants in the area.

The sophist and magnate Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon.

In 1925 a dam was constructed by the American company ULEN in a valley above Marathon, in order to ensure water supply for Athens. It was completed in 1930. About 10 km² of forested land were flooded to form Lake Marathon. The Dionysos-Nea Makri road, part of GR-83, passes through a traffic-light-controlled one-lane driveway on the crest of the dam wall. The plain area lies to the southeast.

The beach of Schinias is located southeast of the town: it is a popular windsurfing spot and the Olympic Rowing Center for the 2004 Summer Olympics is also located there.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics Marathon was the starting point for both men and women marathon races.

The rainstorm on September 16, 2005 ruined farmlands and flooded roads as well as houses, buildings, and other properties. In one incident lightning struck a house and caused a fire with no major damages; it also caused small forest fires. Crops were ruined, a road was flooded. The rain later dissipated in the evening hours. Another flooding over two months later on November 24, 2005 brought floods, and red mud flowed down into the sea and caused the sea to turn muddy with upcoming waves and mixed it with seaweed. Consequently, several properties were severely damaged.

[edit] Historical population

Year	Communal population	Change	Municipal population
1981	4,841	-	-
1991	5,453	612/12.62%	12,979

Other settlements include Limni Marathona which the population is only 16 in 1991.

[edit] External links

Map and aerial photos:
- Street map: Street map from Mapquest, MapPoint or Google
- Satellite images: Google - image now available
Coordinates: 38°9′11″N, 23°57′35″E

Northwest: Kapandriti and Varnavas (both communes)	North: Grammatiko (commune)	Northeast: Grammatiko, Aegean Sea
West: Stamata (commune)	Marathon	East: Aegean Sea
Southwest: Rodopoli (commune)	South: Nea Makri?

[edit] See also

*Municipalities and communities* of the East Attica Prefecture**
Acharnes • Agios Stefanos • Artemis • Avlona • Gerakas • Glyka Nera • Kalyvia Thorikou • Keratea • Kropia • Lavreotiki • Marathon • Markopoulo Mesogaias • Nea Makri • Paiania • Pallini • Rafina • Spata • Vari • Voula • Vouliagmeni
Afidnes • Agios Konstantinos • Anavyssos • Anixi • Anthousa • Dionysos • Drosia • Grammatiko • Kalamos • Kapandriti • Kouvaras • Kryoneri • Malakasa • Markopoulo Oropou • Nea Palatia • Oropos • Palaia Fokaia • Pikermi • Polydendri • Rodopoli • Saronida • Skala Oropou • Stamata • Sykamino • Thrakomakedones • Varnava