Alonnisos Αλόννησος | |
|---|---|
 Port of Alonnisos | |
 | |
  Alonnisos | |
| Coordinates:39°9′N23°50′E / 39.150°N 23.833°E /39.150; 23.833 | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Thessaly |
| Regional unit | Sporades |
| Seat | Patitiri |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 129.6 km2 (50.0 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 476 m (1,562 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Municipality | 3,138 |
| • Density | 24.21/km2 (62.71/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 370 05 |
| Area code | 24240 |
| Vehicle registration | BO |
| Website | www.alonissos.org |
Alonnisos (Greek:Αλόννησος[aˈlonisos]), also transliterated asAlonissos, is aGreek island in theAegean Sea. AfterSkiathos andSkopelos it is the third member of theNorthern Sporades. It is 3 km (2 mi) (2 nm) east of the island of Skopelos. Alonnisos is also the name of a village on the island, as well as themunicipality that encompasses the island and the village.
The village of Alonnisos is located on the southern part of the island. It is locally known as Chora and signposted as The Old Village. The main port of the island is located in the southeast and is calledPatitiri. There are ferry, catamaran ("flying cat") and hydrofoil ("flying dolphin") services from Patitiri toVolos,Agios Konstantinos, andThessaloniki on the mainland and to the islands ofSkiathos,Skopelos andSkyros. The bay at the southern end of the island is also called Alonnisos.
The Municipality of Alonnisos includes the nearby islands ofAdelfoi,Gioura,Kyra Panagia (Pelagos),Peristera,Piperi,Psathoura andSkantzoura.
In theMiddle Ages and until the 19th century, the island was known as Liadromia (Λιαδρόμια). It was renamed in 1838, as it was – mistakenly according to later research – identified withHalonnesus of Antiquity. In reality, the present island of Alonnisos was known as Icus or Ikos (Ancient Greek:Ἴκος) to the Ancient Greeks. Under that name, it is mentioned as having been colonised byCnossians.[2] The fleet of Attalus and the Rhodians sailed pastScyrus to Icus.[3]Phanodemus wrote an account of the island.[4]
The island at its widest is 4.5 km (3 mi) from northwest to southeast and at its longest is 20 km (12 mi) from southwest to northeast. The area of the island is 64 km2 (25 sq mi). The island is mostly limestone. It is located east of mainland Greece andMagnesia, northeast ofEuboea and northwest of the island of Skyros.
Agriculture is widespread on Alonnisos, predominantly mixed farming and vineyards. The main products arealmonds,grapes,figs andolives.Pine trees are abundant on the island. While fishing is a popular profession on the island, tourism is now the main industry.
Housing traditionally consists of closely constructed houses with stone walls, which, until 1965, were centered on the capital. A small fortress protected against enemies and pirates. The island and the village were heavily damaged in the 1965earthquake. Many inhabitants returned not to the village of Alonnisos, but to Patitiri. The old village has been restored in recent years, with rebuilt houses now utilised for tourism.
The beaches around the island consist of pebbles. The ecosystem in the north side of the island is in good condition. TheMediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is common around the island, and in 1992 theAlonnisos Marine Park was created to protect these seals and other animals.
In July 2021, Kostis, a monk seal that was the mascot of the island, was killed, apparently by a spearfisher.[5]
The Municipality includes several other islands with small resident populations. The total land area of the municipality is 129.607 km2 (50.042 sq mi).[6] The 2021 census population was 3,138 inhabitants, of whom only 33 persons lived on the other islands.[1]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 2,985 |
| 2001 | 2,700 |
| 2011 | 2,750 |
| 2021[1] | 3,138 |
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Icus".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
Administrative division of theThessaly Region | ||
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| Regional unit ofKarditsa |  | |
| Regional unit ofLarissa | ||
| Regional unit ofMagnesia | ||
| Regional unit of theSporades | ||
| Regional unit ofTrikala | ||
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| International | |
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| Geographic | |
| Adriatic Sea |
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| Ionian Islands and dependencies |
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| Mainland Greece |
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| Aegean Islands |
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| Other |
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| Related articles | ||
