Miamou

Miamou (Greek: Μιαμού, accented form: Miamoú) is a mountain village in Greece (altitude 353 metres) 60 km south of Heraklion, on the south of Crete. It belongs to the municipality of Gortyn. It had a population of 122 (2001). The Libyan Sea is nearly 2 to 3 km to the south.

Nearest places

• Plora, about 5 km north.

Settlements

• Agia Marina (Αγία Μαρίνα), abandoned
• Dyskos (formerly Dytikos or Ditikos meaning west)
• Krotos
• Lentas or Lendas
• Papadogianni

Origins of the name

The name Miamou comes from the Greek word mia which means "one" (Greek: μία) and the Greek word omou which means "team" (Greek: Ομού).

The name of Miamou possibly derives from folklore tradition. It is said that during the Middle Ages there was an epidemic which forced several villagers to abandon their settlements and go to the village which was not affected by it. That village is now called Miamou.

In 1583, it had 204 inhabitants (Kastrofylakas, vol. 12, pg. 103) and was known as Miamú,

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean.

History

Miamou was first inhabited during the end of the Neolithic period.

References

• Heraklio And Its Prefecture (Το Ηράκλειον και ο Νομός του To Iraklion kai o Nomos tou), published by the Heraklio prefecture

Coordinates: 34°58′N 24°56′E / 34.967°N 24.933°E / 34.967; 24.933