Folegandros Φολέγανδρος | |
|---|---|
      Cliffs at Chora on Folegandros | |
  Folegandros Location within the region  | |
| Coordinates:36°37′N24°54′E / 36.617°N 24.900°E /36.617; 24.900 | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | South Aegean |
| Regional unit | Thira |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 32.216 km2 (12.439 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 455 m (1,493 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Municipality | 719 |
| • Density | 22/km2 (58/sq mi) |
| • Community | 455 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 840 xx |
| Area code(s) | 22860 |
| Vehicle registration | EM |
| Website | www.folegandros.gr |
Folegandros (alsoPholegandros;Greek:Φολέγανδρος) is a smallGreek island in theAegean Sea that, together withSikinos,Ios,Anafi andSantorini, forms the southern part of theCyclades. Its surface area is 32.216 square kilometres (12.439 sq mi)[2] and it has 719 inhabitants (2021).It has three small villages, Chora, Karavostasis, and Ano Meria, which are connected by a paved road. Folegandros is part of theThira regional unit.[3]
According toGreek mythology, it was said to have derived its name from a son ofMinos.[4]
Little is known about the ancient history of Folegandros. Its inhabitants wereDorians. Later it came underAthenian rule. The island contained apolis (city-state) called Pholegandros, which was sited at the modern Chora and a member of theDelian League, as which it appears on Athenian tribute lists between 425/4 and 416/15 BCE.[5] The island was called the iron Pholegandros byAratus on account of its ruggedness, and is also noted by ancient geographersStrabo[6] andPtolemy, who calls itPholekandros (Ancient Greek:Φολέκανδρος).[7]
The island was conquered in 1207 by the VenetianMarco Sanudo and remained under the rule ofVenice until 1566, when it was taken by theOttoman Turks.
The Greeks reclaimed it in the 19th century during theGreek war of independence. The island was visited by the British explorersTheodore andMabel Bent in early 1884.[8]
During the 20th century it has been used as aplace of exile for political prisoners, especially during the4th of August regime.[9]
Folegandros' landscape is varied, and includes tall cliffs and a large cave. The "capital" of the island, Chora, is built on the edge of a 200-metre high cliff. The port of Folegandros is the small village of Karavostasis. The Ano Meria village contains a small but interesting Ecological and Folklore Museum. Among the notable beaches on Folegandros is Katergo, accessible only by foot or by boat from Karavostasis. Katergo beach is used bynaturists.[10]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Folegandros
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Pholegandros".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
| Regional unit ofAndros |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Regional unit ofKalymnos | ||
| Regional unit ofKarpathos-Kasos | ||
| Regional unit ofKea-Kythnos | ||
| Regional unit ofKos | ||
| Regional unit ofMilos | ||
| Regional unit ofMykonos | ||
| Regional unit ofNaxos | ||
| Regional unit ofParos | ||
| Regional unit ofRhodes | ||
| Regional unit ofSyros | ||
| Regional unit ofThira | ||
| Regional unit ofTinos | ||
| ||
