# Eretria > town in Euboea, Greece **Wikidata**: [Q320367](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320367) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eretria) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eretria ## Summary Eretria is a town located on the island of Euboea in Greece, situated at coordinates 38.40097°N latitude and 23.8022°E longitude. The settlement serves as part of the Eretria Municipality and has been historically significant as an ancient Greek city-state. Today, Eretria functions as a modern town with a population that has varied across different census periods, reflecting the dynamic nature of Greek demography. ## Key Facts - **Location:** Eretria is situated in Euboea (Evia), Greece, at coordinates 38.40097°N, 23.8022°E - **Administrative Status:** Part of Eretria Municipality (human settlement in Greece, country: Q41, headquarters: ) - **Classification:** Town – a settlement smaller than a city but larger than a large village - **Alias:** Known also as Nea Psara - **Population:** Recorded populations include 4,373; 3,166; 2,960; 4,166; and 1,788 across various census years - **Country:** Greece – a sovereign state in Southeast Europe, officially the Hellenic Republic - **Wikipedia Title:** Eretria - **Wikidata Entity Sitelink Count:** 44 - **Parent Municipality Sitelink Count:** 8 ## FAQs ### Where is Eretria located? Eretria is located on the island of Euboea (also spelled Evia), which is the second-largest Greek island after Crete and is situated in the Aegean Sea off the eastern coast of mainland Greece. The town sits at coordinates 38.40097°N latitude and 23.8022°E longitude. ### What is Eretria's administrative structure? Eretria is part of the Eretria Municipality, which serves as the administrative unit for the area. The municipality serves as a human settlement within Greece (country Q41), with its headquarters located at . This administrative structure places Eretria within the broader framework of Greek municipal governance. ### What type of settlement is Eretria? Eretria is classified as a town, defined as a settlement that is smaller than a city but bigger than a large village. This classification reflects its role as a populated center with local administrative functions while being smaller than urban centers like Athens or Thessaloniki. ### What is Eretria known as historically? Eretria is historically known as an ancient Greek city-state and has been referred to by the alias Nea Psara. The ancient city of Eretria was one of the major cities of Euboea and played significant roles in Greek history, particularly during the Classical period. ### What is the population of Eretria? Eretria's population has fluctuated across different census years, with recorded figures of 4,373; 3,166; 2,960; 4,166; and 1,788. These variations reflect demographic changes that may be attributed to economic conditions, migration patterns, and broader social trends affecting Greek settlements. ### What country is Eretria located in? Eretria is located in Greece, a sovereign state in Southeast Europe officially known as the Hellenic Republic. Greece is a member of the European Union (since 1981), NATO (since 1952), and the United Nations (since 1945). The country covers an area of 131,957 square kilometers and had a population of approximately 10,482,487 as of the 2021 census. ## Why It Matters Eretria matters both historically and contemporarily as a settlement that bridges ancient Greek heritage with modern Greek society. As an ancient city-state, Eretria contributed to the broader narrative of Greek civilization, participating in the political, cultural, and economic developments that shaped the ancient world. The archaeological remains and historical significance of the area make it relevant for understanding Greek history and the development of city-states in classical antiquity. In modern context, Eretria serves as a representative example of Greek municipal organization and demographic patterns. The town's population fluctuations reflect broader trends affecting rural and semi-urban settlements in Greece, including economic challenges, urbanization pressures, and the effects of the Greek financial crisis. Its position on Euboea, Greece's second-largest island, also highlights the importance of island communities in Greek national identity and economic life. The presence of Eretria within the Eretria Municipality demonstrates how Greek administrative structures organize settlements for local governance, public service delivery, and regional development. Understanding Eretria provides insight into the diverse settlement patterns that characterize Greece beyond its major urban centers. ## Notable For - Ancient city-state status in classical Greek history - Location on Euboea, Greece's second-largest island - Part of the Eretria Municipality administrative unit - Historical significance as Nea Psara (alternative name) - Archaeological importance in understanding ancient Greek civilization - Representation of Greek island settlement patterns ## Body ### Geography and Location Eretria is positioned at coordinates 38.40097°N latitude and 23.8022°E longitude, placing it on the island of Euboea (Evia) in the Aegean Sea. Euboea is Greece's second-largest island, stretching along the eastern coast of mainland Greece and separated from the mainland by the Euripus Strait. This strategic maritime position has historically influenced Eretria's development as a settlement engaged in maritime trade and naval activities. The town's coastal location on the island's western shore has traditionally provided access to the Aegean Sea, facilitating connections with other Greek settlements and territories throughout the Mediterranean region. This geographical advantage contributed to Eretria's historical prominence as an ancient city-state capable of engaging in maritime commerce and establishing colonial settlements in other regions. ### Administrative Structure Eretria operates within the Greek municipal system as part of Eretria Municipality. The municipality serves as the administrative unit governing the area, with its headquarters located at . This administrative structure reflects Greece's system of local government, which organizes settlements into municipalities (dimoi) responsible for providing public services, managing local resources, and representing community interests. The municipality designation places Eretria within the broader administrative framework of Greece, a parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 10,482,487 as of the 2021 census. Greece operates under a system where municipalities are subdivisions of regional units, which in turn fall within larger administrative regions. This hierarchical structure facilitates governance across Greece's diverse geography, including its numerous islands and mountainous mainland areas. ### Historical Significance Eretria's historical significance stems from its identity as an ancient Greek city-state. In classical antiquity, Eretria was one of the principal cities of Euboea, competing with Chalcis for dominance over the island. The ancient city-state participated in the broader political developments of classical Greece, including conflicts with Persian forces and involvement in the Peloponnesian War. The alternative name "Nea Psara" suggests historical continuity or reconstruction of settlement in the area, possibly following periods of decline or destruction. This naming reflects the pattern of Greek settlements being rebuilt or renamed throughout history, often maintaining some form of historical connection to earlier iterations of the community. ### Demographics and Population The population data for Eretria reveals significant variation across different census years, with recorded figures of 4,373; 3,166; 2,960; 4,166; and 1,788. These numbers indicate demographic fluctuations that are characteristic of many Greek settlements outside major urban centers. Population changes in Greek towns like Eretria reflect broader national trends, including urbanization (particularly toward Athens and other major cities), economic migration, and the effects of the Greek financial crisis that began in 2009. The variation between figures of 4,373 and 1,788 suggests either significant out-migration during certain periods or differences in how the population was counted across different administrative definitions. Greece as a whole experienced demographic shifts during the 2010s, with the country facing high unemployment (reaching 18.5% in 2019) and emigration, particularly among young professionals. These national trends would have affected settlements like Eretria, contributing to population fluctuations and demographic changes. ### Relationship to Greece As a settlement in Greece, Eretria exists within the context of a country with rich historical heritage and contemporary regional significance. Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is located in Southeast Europe and occupies a strategic position in the Mediterranean region. The country covers an area of 131,957 square kilometers and shares land borders with Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey. Greece's capital is Athens, which has been the seat of government since 1834. The country is a parliamentary republic with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou serving as head of state since March 13, 2020, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as head of government since June 8, 2019. Greece joined the European Union in 1981 and adopted the Euro as its currency on January 1, 2002. The Greek cultural context provides the framework within which Eretria operates. The official language is Greek, and the country maintains a rich cultural heritage that includes contributions to philosophy, democracy, the arts, and literature. Greece's national flag features a blue field with a white cross and nine stripes, adopted in 1978, while the national anthem is the "Hymn to Liberty," adopted in 1865. ### Classification as a Town Eretria's classification as a "town" distinguishes it from cities and villages within the Greek settlement hierarchy. This classification reflects its population size, administrative function, and economic character. Towns in Greece typically serve as local centers providing services, commerce, and administrative functions for surrounding areas, while being smaller than major cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, or Heraklion. The classification system recognizes that Eretria, while not a major urban center, maintains sufficient population and economic activity to function as a distinct settlement type. This middle-ground status is common for Greek settlements on islands and in regional areas, where population is distributed across a hierarchy of cities, towns, and villages. ### Connectivity and External Relations Eretria's presence within the Greek municipal system connects it to broader regional and national governance structures. The municipality's sitelink count of 8 indicates relatively limited direct digital presence compared to more prominent Greek settlements, while Eretria's own sitelink count of 44 suggests moderate visibility in digital knowledge repositories. The town's connection to Eretria Municipality (headquartered at ) establishes administrative relationships that determine local governance, public service provision, and regional planning. These administrative connections facilitate the coordination of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other public services across the municipality's territory. ### Contemporary Context In contemporary Greece, settlements like Eretria face challenges common to many non-urban areas, including population retention, economic development, and service provision. The Greek economy, with a nominal GDP of approximately $219 billion USD in 2022, has experienced significant stress following the financial crisis, with unemployment reaching 18.5% in 2019 and various social impacts affecting communities across the country. Greece's membership in the European Union, NATO, and other international organizations provides a framework for economic support and political stability that benefits settlements throughout the country. The country's participation in the Schengen Area since 2000 facilitates movement within Europe, while its role in the Mediterranean region positions it as a key player in regional geopolitics, migration management, and economic cooperation. Eretria's position on Euboea also connects it to the island's economic and social life. Euboea is notable for its diverse economy, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and services. The island's proximity to Athens (accessible via the Chalcis bridge) makes it part of the greater Athens metropolitan area's economic sphere while maintaining its distinct island character. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Czech National Authority Database 4. GeoNames 5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 6. museum-digital