Salamis Island

Salamis (Greek: Σαλαμίνα Salamína, Ancient and Katharevousa: Σαλαμίς Salamís), is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile (2 km) off-coast from Piraeus and about 16 km west of Athens. The chief city, Salamina, lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf. The island's main port, Paloukia, in size second only to Piraeus, is on the eastern side.
==History==
Salamis is mentioned in Homer's writings. Some sources say it was named after the nymph Salamis, according to legend the mother of Cychreus, the first king of the island. Another theory, that is supported by modern linguistics, considers "Salamis" to come from the root "Sal-" (meaning salty water) and "-amis" (meaning the middle); thus Salamis = (the place) amid salt water.Place-Names in Classical Mythology: Greece, Robert Eugene Bell, ABC-CLIO, 1989, ISBN 0-87436-507-4
Salamis was probably first colonised by Aegina and later occupied by Megara, but became an Athenian possession in the time of Solon or Peisistratos, following the war between Athens and Megara around 600 BCE."Salamis", Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World, Ed. John Roberts. Oxford University Press, 2007. According to Strabo, the ancient capital was at the south of the island; in classical times it was to the east, on the Kamatero Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Salamis; in modern times it is on the west.Greece, Blue Guide series, Stuart Rossiter, Ernest Benn, 1981
Salamis island is known for the Battle of Salamis, the decisive naval victory of the allied Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, over the Persian Empire in 480 BCE. It is said to be the birthplace of Ajax and Euripides, the latter's birth being popularly placed on the day of the battle. In modern times, it is home to Salamis Naval Base, headquarters for the Hellenic Navy.
The oldest known counting board was discovered on Salamis Island in 1899.http://users.ju.edu/ssundbe/salamis.html It is thought to have been used by the Babylonians in about 300 BCE and is more of a gaming board rather than a calculating device. It is marble, about 150 x 75 x 4.5 cm, and has carved Greek symbols and parallel grooves.
During the Nazi German invasion of Greece in World War II, the harbor was bombed by the Luftwaffe on April 23, 1941, sinking the Greek battleships Kilkis and Lemnos.Kilkis (Battleship, 1914-1941), Naval Historical CenterLemnos (Battleship, 1914-1941), Naval Historical Center
In the 1960s and 1970s, during the military junta period, changes in land legislation allowed the subdivision of land plots.One-sixth of houses are for vacation use, Kathimerini, 4-19-2006 This opened the island to massive unplanned and unregulated urban and suburban development, including many weekend homes, especially along the northern and eastern coasts. The lack of corresponding investment in infrastructure, combined with heavy industry, has led to sea and beach pollution on this side of the island. There are, however, ongoing initiatives such as help from the European Union's Cohesion Fund toward improving sewerage by 2008.
==Geography==
Salamis has an area of 36 square miles; its highest point is Mavrovouni (1325 feet). A significant part of Salamis Island is rocky and mountainous. On the southern part of the island a pine forest is located, which is unusual for western Attica. Unfortunately, this forest is often a target for fires.Salamina, so near yet so unknown, Polyxeni Athanassoulia, Kathimerini, 9-7-2006 While the inland inhabitants are mainly employed within the agricultural sector, the majority of Salamis' inhabitants work in maritime occupations (fishing, ferries, and the island's shipyards) or commute to work in Athens. Salamis, Howstuffworks encyclopediaSalamis official website The maritime industry is focused on the north-east coast of the island at the port of Paloukia (Παλούκια), where ferries to mainland Greece are based, and in the dockyards of Ampelakia and the north side of the Kynosoura (Greek: Κυνοσούρα = "dog tail") peninsula.
Salamis Island is very popular for holiday and weekend visits from the Athens and Piraeus area; its population rises to 300,000 in peak season of which ca. 31,000 are permanent inhabitants. This supports a strong service industry sector, with many cafes, bars, ouzeries, tavernas and consumer goods shops throughout the island. On the south of the island, away from the port, there are a number of less developed areas with good swimming beaches including those of Aianteio, Maroudi, Perani, Peristeria, Kolones, Saterli, Selenia and Kanakia.Salamina, Anatropes newspaper site (in Greek)
==Municipality==
Salamis Island belongs to the Islands regional unit of the Attica region. Since the 2011 local government reform the island is administered as one municipality. Before, the island was divided into two municipalities, that became municipal units at the reform:Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior 
*Salamina
*Ampelakia
In the municipal unit of Salamina, which has a land area of 80.992 km² and a 2001 census population of 30,962, the chief population centre is the city of Salamina (also called Salamis, Salamis City or Koulouris, pop. 25,730 in 2001), consisting of the districts Alonia, Agios Minas, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Nikolaos, Boskos, Nea Salamina, Tsami and Vourkari. Its second-largest town is Aiánteio (pop. 4,456). In the municipal unit of Ampelakia, which has a land area of 15.169 km² and a population of 7,060, the largest towns are Ampelakia (pop. 4,537) and Selinia (2,346).
==Population==
As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the inhabitants were Arvanite; something that changed during the past 20 years due to settlement of a lot of Athenians on the island to the degree that nowadays Arvanites are a fraction of the population, living mainly in Salamina town, Ampelakia and Moulki (Aianteion).Jochalas, Titos P. (1971): Über die Einwanderung der Albaner in Griechenland: Eine zusammenfassene Betrachtung ["On the immigration of Albanians to Greece: A summary"]. München: Trofenik. The island is known in Arvanitika as Κȣλλȣρι ("Koullouri").
Year	Salamina (town)	Salamina (municipality)	Salamis (island)
1981	20,807 	25,215 	30,402
1991	22,567 	27,582 	34,342
2001	25,730 	30,962 	38,022
==Villages in the municipal unit of Salamina==
=== Paloukia===
Paloukia (Greek: Παλούκια, population 1.695) is located in the northeast of the island. Many ferryboats, fishing vessels and port police craft dock in this harbor. Paloukia is the base for the port police department of Salamina.
Most visitors who come to Salamina first arrive at Paloukia via ferryboats that run between Paloukia and Perama or Piraeus.
The area is adjacent to the Salamis Naval Base (in Greek Nafstathmos), which is a major base of the Hellenic Navy.
===Aianteio===
Aianteio (Greek: Αιάντειο) is a large village in the southwestern part of Salamis Island and is named after Ajax "King of the Salamis" from Homer's Iliad. The village was known as Moulki (Μούλκι) until 1915.Name changes of settlements in Greece In the region, there are churches from the 12th and the 11th century such as Saint John and Saint Dimitrios.
Interesting places to visit are:
*the oldest church in the island, Saint John the "Kalyvitis", which dates back in the 10th century and has remarkable hagiographies, and
*the monastery of Saint Nicolas which dates back to the 18th century and is situated in a forest.
===Batsi===
Batsi (Greek: Μπατσί) is a little community (population 212) in the north of Salamis, in the municipality of Salamis, located at the foot of a piney mountain, about 6 to 8 km east of Megara.
In the mountain, there is a cave of archeological interest that has not been investigated yet. In the winter there are few tourists; it is more popular with vacationers from Athens during the summer months.
===Kaki Vigla===
Kaki Vigla (Greek: Κακή Βίγλα) is a small community (population 236) located at the south of Salamis Island, near Aianteio. The beaches of Kaki Vigla are relatively clean and the area has pine and olive trees near the shore.
===Agios Georgios===
A new village, founded in 1960.
===Peristeria===
Peristeria (Greek: Περιστέρια, population 456) is a small village at the southeast of Salamis Island, 45 km from Salamis City. It took its name from the bird of peace, the dove (Greek: περιστέρι), because it is a calm, peaceful and isolated place, away from the cars and from noise. Another interpretation says that its name may be derived from the doves which were living and had nests in the area.
The area has a marina, which has yachts and fishing boats. The beaches of Peristeria are the cleanest of Salamis. The village is near the Cave of Euripides.
===Psili Ammos===
Psili Ammos (Greek: Ψιλή Άμμος, population 271), which means Fine Sand is so named because it is covered with sand. The area is located at the northwest of the island opposite of Elefsina. In the area there is one of the oldest landmarks, a church building of island, the chantry of Saint Grigorios (Saint Gregory).
===Steno===
Steno (Greek: Στενό, population 985), which means Narrow in Greek, is a small community in the northwest of Salamis Island. The area is separated from Fanaromeni Monastery by a hill with shrubs and pine trees. The area is adjacent to the bay of Agios Georgios. Steno has wide and well-planned roads.
===Vasilika===
Vasilika (Greek: Βασιλικά, population 4,264) which means Royal is a large village located in the northwest of the island. Vasilika is the third largest area in Salamis by population after Salamis City and Aianteio. Vasilika has a sandy large beach apt for swimming.
===Xeno===
Xeno (Greek: Ξένο, population 786) which means Foreign in English is located at the northwest of the island. The area took this name because the first residents who came in Xeno were not from Salamis but from the close areas of Piraeus.
==Villages in the municipal unit of Ampelakia==
===Kynosoura===
Kynosoura (Greek: Κυνόσουρα), which means the tail of dog (Greek: κυνός-ουρά), is a small peninsula located in the east of island. The area probably took its name, because the area is long and oblong, like a dog' s tail. At the south side of area there are a few houses (population 69). At the north there is a dockyard, which constructs and fixes ships.
===Selinia===
Selinia (Greek: Σελήνια, population 2.523) is one of the resorts of Salamis Island, Greece, located a few kilometers southeast of Salamis city. Selinia used to be the weekend resort of many Athenians due to its proximity to Piraeus and Athens. Selinia also features restaurants and taverns.
==Culture==
===Famous mythological and ancient people===
*Ajax the Great, the legendary king of Salamis island, son of Telamon and half-brother of Teucer
*Cychreus, the first king of Salamis Island
*Euripides, tragedian (485 or 480 BCE. - 406 BCE)
*Telamon, the king of Salamis Island, father of Ajax the Great and Teucer
*Teucer, the half-brother of Ajax the Great, son of Telamon, warrior of Trojan War, and founder of the city-state of Salamis, Cyprus.
===Modern celebrities===
*Georgios Karaiskakis (c.1780-1827), Greek War of Independence hero, is buried on Salamis.
*Dimitrios Mpogris (1890–1964), playwright
*Polychronis Lempesis (1848–1913), painter
*Angelos Sikelianos (1884–1951), poet and playwright, whose cottage was near the Monastery of Faneromeni.
*Giorgos Papasideris (1902–1977), country singer, composer and lyricist
*Memos Mpegnis (1974-), actor
*Giorgos Vasileiou, actor, former representative of the Hellenic Parliament and councilman of the Salamina municipality, has his permanent residence in the Batsi area.
===Sports===
Salamis island has four football teams, Aias (Ajax) Salaminas, Ampelakiakos F.C., A.E. Salaminas and Salaminomachoi
==Local newspapers and magazines Newspapers and magazines, Salamis official website (in Greek)==
*Salaminiaki Protoporia (Salaminian Vanguard)
*Anatropes (Tippings )
*I Enotita tis Salaminas (The Unity of Salamis)
*I Nea Salamina (The New Salamis)
*I Foni tis Salaminas (The Voice of Salamis)
*Neo Ithos tis Salaminas (New Morale of Salamis)
*Apopsi (Opinion)
*Palmos tis Salaminas (Pulse of Salamis)
*Athlitikoi Palmoi (Athletic Vibrations)
*Politis me dikaioma ( Citizen with rights)
*Sports Week Salamina
*30 Imeres tis Salaminas (30 Days of Salamina)
==Landmarks==
Landmark 	Year of construction 	Location
Faneromeni Monastery 	15th century 	Faneromeni
Chantry of Saint George 	around 1250 	Agios Georgios
Euripideio Theatre 	1993 	in suburbs of Salamis City (in hill Patris)
Church of Saint Dimitrios 	1806 	center of Salamis City (in hononymous district)
The Cave of Euripides 	450 BC 	at south Salamis Island (near Peristeria)
The Cottage of Angelos Sikelianos 	1935 	Faneromeni
The Stone Lighthouse 	1901 	Peristeria
The bust of Georgios Karaiskakis 	1982 	center of Salamis City (in Vourkari district)
The Windmills 	19th century 	in suburbs of Salamis City (in a hill)
Chantry of Prophet Elias 	early of 20th century	Salamis City (in a stone hill)
Chantry of Saint Grygorios 	12th century 	Psili Ammos
The Stony small Theater 	1990 	Selinia
The City Hall of Salamis 	2000 	Salamis City
The Monastery of Saint Nicolaos 	17th century 	at south Salamis Island (near Kanakia)
The Church of Saint John the Kalyvitis	11th century 	at south Salamis Island (near Kanakia)
The Folklore Museum 	2000 	it ' s lodging at Salamis City Hall
The Mansion of Galeos Family 	19th century 	at Salamis center (at Agios Minas district)
The Church of Saint Minas 	1869 	at Salamis City (at Agios Minas district)
==International relations==
Salamis Island has been twinned]] with Famagusta, Cyprus since 1998.
==References==
==External links==
*Official website of Municipality of Salamina 
*Official website of Municipality of Ampelakia 
Category:Greece