Salamis Island

About

Salamis ( SAL-ə-miss; Ancient Greek and Katharevousa: Σαλαμίς, romanized: Salamís) or Salamina (Modern Greek: Σαλαμίνα, romanized: Salamína) is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about two kilometres (one nautical mile) from the coast of Athens' port of Piraeus and about 16 km (8+1⁄2 nmi) west of Athens center. The chief city, Salamina, lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf. On the eastern side of the island its main port, Paloukia, connects the island with Perama in the western part of Athens urban area through a frequent ferry line and is the second largest port in Greece in terms of passengers, after the port of Piraeus.

The traditional etymology of Salamis derives it from the eponymous nymph Salamis, the mother of Cychreus, the legendary first king of the island. A more modern theory considers "Salamis" to come from the root sal 'salt' and -amis 'middle'; thus Salamis would be the place amid salt water. A theory presented by Martin Bernal in his book Black Athena, which has been overwhelmingly rejected by orientalists, classicists and archaeologists, has attempted to connect the name to the Semitic root Š-L-M 'health, safety, peace', because of the well-sheltered harbor.

From at least the 13th century until the 19th century, the town, the island, and the bay of Salamis were called Koulouri ( Κούλουρη ), because of its round shape ( κόλουρο ). The ancient name was revived in the 19th century. The name Koulouri is still used informally for the town. The island is known in Arvanitika as Κȣλλȣρι ("Kulluri").

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 BC. 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.

According to Homer 's Iliad, Salamis took part in the Trojan War with twelve ships under the leadership of Ajax ( Aias )

Salamis island is known for the Battle of Salamis, the decisive naval victory of the Athenian-led allied Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, over the Persian Empire in 480 BC. 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.

Arvanites were recorded among the inhabitants of the island in 1688. They lived in poverty as most of the Arvanites in Greece at the time.

The oldest known counting board was discovered on Salamis Island in 1899. It is thought to have been used by the Babylonians in about 300 BC and is more a gaming board than a calculating device. It is marble, about 150 cm × 75 cm × 4.5 cm (59 in × 30 in × 2 in), and has carved Greek symbols and parallel grooves.

During the 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.

In the 1960s and 1970s, during the military junta period, changes in land legislation allowed the subdivision of land plots. 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.

An oil spill occurred off the coast of Salamis Island in September 2017.

Salamina has an area of 93 km 2 (36 sq mi); its highest point is Mavrovouni at 404 m (1,325 ft). A significant part of Salamina is rocky and mountainous. On the southern part of the island a pine forest is located, which is unusual for western Attica. This forest is often a target for fires.

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. 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 peninsula.

Salamina is very popular for holiday and weekend visits from Athens mainland; its population rises to 300,000 in peak season of which c. 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. However, tourism in the island could develop more. The island is currently partially restricted due to the presence of a naval base, and its proximity to the industrial port at Perama detracts from its appeal.

According to the meteorological station of the National Observatory of Athens and Harokopio University, Salamina has a hot semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification : BSh ) with mild winters and very hot summers.

Salamina 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:

- Ampelakia In the municipal unit of Salamina, which has a land area of 80.992 km 2 (31.271 sq mi) and a 2011 census population of 31,776, the chief population centre is the city of Salamina (also called Salamis, Salamis City or Koulouris, pop. 25,888 in 2011), consisting of the districts Alonia, Agios Minas, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Nikolaos, Boskos, Nea Salamina, Tsami and Vourkari. [ citation needed ] Its second-largest town is Aiánteio (pop. 5,888). In the municipal unit of Ampelakia, which has a land area of 15.169 km 2 (5.857 sq mi) and a population of 7,507, the largest towns are Ampelakia (pop. 4,998) and Selinia (2,509).

As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the inhabitants were Arvanite ; a thing 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 the towns of Salamina, Ampelakia, and Moulki (Aianteion).

Paloukia (Greek: Παλούκια) 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.