North Aegean islands are unique. They are located at the intersection of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. And it is precisely due to this feature that very bright cultures, interesting traditions and ways of life were formed in their territories. It is important to note that only two islands belong to Turkey - Gokceada and Bozcaada, which in Greek are called Imvros and Tenedos. All others belong to Greece.
Lesbos
If you talk about the Aegean islands, then you need to start with the largest of them. And it is Lesvos, covering an area of 1632.81 km². Here's what you should know about it:
- The most ancient campsites of people on Lesbos were formed 500-200 thousand years ago.
- The first known settlements date back to the beginning of the third millennium BC.
- The oldest native of the island, whose name I know around the world, is the poet Terpander (VIII century BC. E.).
- In the Middle Ages, Lesbos was captured by the Genoese and transferred it to the possession of the Gattilusio clan.
- In 1462, the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II came to the island . He captured Lesbos.
- In 1912, the island was conquered by the Greek Aegean fleet, commanded by Pavlos Kunturiiotis.
Today Lesvos is a popular resort where people from all over the world come to indulge in a beach holiday and enjoy the sea. Here, by the way, it’s inexpensive even for a Russian tourist. Prices for accommodation in budget hotels start at 1,300 rubles.
Lemnos
The second largest Aegean island. It covers an area of 477.58 km². And very few people live on it - about 17,000 (according to recent statistics, 2001). And here are some interesting facts about this island:
- In Greek mythology, Lemnos is known as the island of the god of fire - Hephaestus.
- It has a volcanic origin. Lemnos is composed mainly of tuffs and shales.
- Mirina is the capital of the island, in which more than 1/3 of its entire population lives. The city, by the way, was named after the wife of the first king of Lemnos.
- The main attraction of the island is Poliochni - a city of Greek civilization, which was given the status of the Cultural Park of Europe.
Interestingly, among the Greek islands, the Aegean Lemnos is one of the most unknown. This is known to lovers of a relaxing holiday who come here for peace and solitude. Lemnos has many beautiful beaches and bays. Prices, as in Lesbos, are low - the cost of hotel accommodation starts at 2,000 rubles per day.
Thassos
You can not ignore this Aegean island. It is the third largest and its territory is 380 km². Here is the most interesting thing about this island:
- Thassos has a healthy and pleasant climate. He was once praised even by Hippocrates.
- In the XV century, the Ottomans conquered this island, but the Turkish colonization practically did not affect it. In 1912, he moved to Greece.
- The island is so small that you can go round it entirely in a day on a motorcycle.
- Thassos is only 12 kilometers from mainland Greece.
Like many other Aegean islands, tourism is well developed here. There are many good hotels with the same low prices as in the previous, already mentioned resorts. Thassos is usually chosen for a vacation with the whole family, since there are very few nightclubs and noisy establishments, but many clean sandy and pebble beaches.
Gökçeada
This, as already mentioned at the very beginning, is the Turkish East Aegean island. It covers an area of 286.84 km², and about 8-9 thousand people live in this territory. Here is what makes this island interesting:
- Gökçeada was originally inhabited by Pelasgians. This is a people that existed before the Mycenaean civilization. But in the fifth century BC, the Persians captured the island.
- At the beginning of the last century, 97.5% of the inhabitants of the island were Greeks.
- In July 1993, Turkish citizens began to move to Gökçead from the mainland. This led to mass migration of the Greek population. At the time of the census conducted in 2000, only 250 of the inhabitants were Greeks.
- The main local attraction is the medieval castle in Kaleköy.
- In the south of the island is an extinct volcano. He is the highest point of Gökçead.
Tourism is not developed here, since all visitors prefer to go to the popular resorts of Turkey.
Samothrace
This small Aegean island of Greece covers an area of 177.96 km². Samothrace is very small, and only three thousand people live on its territory. And then, the majority - in the largest city called Kamaryotisa. Here's what you can tell about it:
- You can drive from one end of the island to the other in just 15 minutes by car.
- The highest point is Mount Σάμος, reaching 5,000 feet. At all times, she acted as a landmark.
- Samothraki since ancient times were famous for the Kabir Mysteries (worship). They took place in the so-called Sanctuary of the Great Gods. Today this place is known as Paleopolis.
- In 70 BC, Samothrace became a province of the Roman Empire.
- It was on this island in 1863 that a statue of Nika of Samothrace was found , which is now stored in the Louvre in Paris.
Despite the fact that Samotraki is very small, beach and ecological tourism are developed on its territory.
Agios Efstratios
The area of this island is only 43.32 km². Arid climate reigns on Agios Efstratios; it itself is a rocky area composed of volcanic rocks. There is very little vegetation due to the origin of the island.
Agios Efstratios is isolated and not officially used for tourism purposes. Also, agriculture is poorly developed here - few crops are grown. Most of the locals are engaged in fishing, as well as the production of cheese and wine. And by the way, only 3-4 hundred people live here.
However, this is not some unsociable wild island. Agios Efstratios is very beautiful and neat. He meets his guests with white houses, quiet harbors and numerous vineyards. There is only one city - Chora. It has several restaurants, taverns, guest houses and small hotels. There are interesting places too. This is the cave of Agios Efstratios, where the patron saint of the island, the Byzantine church and sea gorges - Tripya Spiglia and Fokia have long lived.
Bozcaada
At the end of the story about the Northeast Aegean Islands, I would like to stop on about. Bozcaada owned by Turkey. It is very tiny - its area is only 36 km². However, this Aegean island has an interesting and rich history, despite its size. Here are some fun facts about Bozcaada:
- Only five kilometers separates it from the coast of Asia Minor.
- Bozcaada was the base of the Russian fleet during the blockade of the Dardanelles.
- 10 km away are the Rabbit Islands, which are strategically important (right near the entrance to the Dardanelles).
- Winemaking is well developed on Bozcaada.
- Many tourists come here for diving.
Well, as you can see, even such a small island is of some interest. There are still a lot of them in the Aegean Sea, but all of the above are the most famous, so it was impossible not to tell about them.