Mylopotamos, Crete

History

The broader region of Crete has a significant history dating back to the Palaeolithic era, more than 130,000 years ago. After early settlers, it came under Roman occupation in the first century BCE. It was under Byzantine rule during the early Middle Ages, before being captured by the Venetians in the 12th century. It came under the control of Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, with the locals fighting for independence. In 1866, the Battle of Arkadi resulted in widespread damage. It became part of Greece in 1913.

During the Second World War, the inhabitants actively participated in the Battle of Crete. After the capture of Crete by Nazi Germany in 1941, the local people from Mylopotamos fought against the invaders, which resulted in mass executions by German occupation forces. It was occupied by Germany till 1945, after which it re-joined Greece. The province of Mylopotamos was one of the provinces of Rethymno Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Mylopotamos and Anogeia. It was abolished in 2006, and Mylopotamos was officially formed from the former municipalities of Geropotamos, Kouloukonas, and Zoniana in 2011.

Geography

Mylopotamos municipality is located in the Rethymno regional unit in the Greek island of Crete. The name is derived from the water mills that existed in the Avlopotamos river. The municipal unit occupies an area of 360.703 km2. The topography of the region consists of the Kouloukonas and Talea mountains, interspersed with plains, where people engage in livestock farming.

Demographics

Mylopotamos municipality had a total population of 14,363 inhabitants according to the 2021 census data. The population is distributed across numerous villages and settlements. The municipal unit of Perama had a population of 6,108 while Kouloukonas recorded 4,772 inhabitants.

References

References

1. "History of Crete". Explore Crete.
2. William Stillman. (1874). "Cretan Insurrection of 1866-7-8". Henry Holt and Company.
3. "Cretan resistance". History Guild.
4. "General Information about area". Akomm.
5. (16 August 2018). "How Crete changed the course of World War Two". [[BBC]].
6. "Detailed census results 1991 }} {{small".
7. "ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text". [[Government Gazette (Greece).
8. "Mylopotamos". Crete24.
9. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)". National Statistical Service of Greece.
10. "Αποτελέσματα Μόνιμου Πληθυσμού κατά Δημοτική Κοινότητα". Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).