Population Growth
In the early decades of the 20th century, and particularly after 1922, Greek society entered a phase of gradual urbanisation, as rural populations moved to urban centres in search of a better fortune. Economic growth and the arrival of the refugees from Asia Minor accelerated the growth rate of urban populations.
The population of Heraklion grew from 29 491 in 1920 to 39 231 individuals in 1928. Of them, approximately 1/3 were of refugee extraction. At the same time, internal migration increased, as many country dwellers moved into the town in search of a better life. In the 1940 census, the number of people in the town stood at 42 557.
View of Dikeosinis, Idis and 1821 Sts., 1920 - 1930 (Liana Starida Collection)
Kalokairinou Ave in the time it was Phaistou St. a bustling commercial thoroughfare also known as Platia Strata ("Broad Street"), 1916 (No 448, Liana Starida Collection)
Eleftherias Square, 1940 - 1950 (Liana Starida Collection)
Mayor of Heraklion Minas Georgiadis with the Town Council in 1938 (Minas G. Georgiadis Family Archive)
Parade in Martyron St., now known as 25th August St. (photograph: Ioannis Valergas, Ioannis M. Tzanis Collection)
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