Sfakia
Sfakia
Σφακιά | |
|---|---|
Sfakia landscape around Hora Sfakion | |
Sfakia | |
| Coordinates: 35°12′N 24°08′E / 35.200°N 24.133°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Chania |
| Seat | Hora Sfakion |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ioannis Zervos (since 2023) |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 467.6 km2 (180.5 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | |
• Municipality | 2,002 |
| • Density | 4.281/km2 (11.09/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Area code | 73011 |
| Vehicle registration | ΧΝ |
Sfakiá (Greek: Σφακιά) is a mountainous area in the southwestern part of the island of Crete, in the Chania regional unit. It is considered to be one of the few places in Greece that have never been fully occupied by foreign powers. With a 2021 census population of 2,002 inhabitants living on a land area of 467.589 km2 (180.537 sq mi), Sfakia is one of the largest and least densely populated municipalities on the island of Crete. The etymology of its name is disputed. According to the prevailing theory, it relates to its rugged terrain, deriving from the ancient Greek word σφαξ, meaning land chasm or gorge.