North-East Aegean: description, history and interesting facts

The North Aegean Islands are unique. They are located at the intersection of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. And it is at the expense of this peculiarity that very bright cultures, interesting traditions and way of life were formed on their territories. It is important to note that Turkey owns only two islands - Goceaada and Bozcaada, which in Greek are called Imvros and Tenedos. All the rest belong to Greece.

Lesbos

If you talk about the Aegean Islands, then you need to start with the largest of them. And it is Lesbos, occupying an area of 1632.81 km ². Here's what you should know about it:

• The most ancient sites of people on Lesbos were formed 500-200 thousand years ago.
• The first known settlements date from the beginning of the third millennium BC.
• The most ancient native of the island, whose name I know all over the world, is the poet Terpandra (VIII century BC).
• In the Middle Ages, Lesbos was captured by the Genoese and transferred to the possession of the genus Gattilusio.
• In 1462, the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II came to the island. He captured Lesvos.
• In 1912, the island was conquered by the Greek Aegean fleet commanded by Pavlos Kunturiotis.

Today Lesbos is a popular resort where people from all over the world come to indulge in beach rest and enjoy the sea. Here, by the way, is inexpensive even for a Russian tourist. Prices for accommodation in budget hotels start from 1 300 rubles.

Lemnos

The second largest island is the Aegean. It covers an area of 477.58 km². And there are very few people living on it - about 17,000 (according to the latest 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 mainly composed of tuffs and shales.
• Mirina is the capital of the island, inhabited by more than one-third of its population. The city, by the way, was named after the wife of the first king Lemnos.
• The main attraction of the island is Poliochni - the city of the Hellenic civilization, which is awarded the status of the European Cultural Park.

Interestingly, among the Greek islands, the Aegean Lemnos is one of the most unknown. This is known to connoisseurs of a relaxing holiday, who come here for silence and solitude. Lemnos has many beautiful beaches and bays. Prices, as well as Lesvos, are low - the cost of living in hotels starts from 2,000 rubles per day.

Thassos

You can not ignore this Aegean island. It is the third in area, and its territory is 380 km ². Here is the most interesting thing about this island:

• Thasos has a healthy and pleasant climate. He was even praised by Hippocrates.
• In the 15th century, this island was conquered by the Ottomans, however, Turkish colonization practically did not affect it. In 1912 he moved to Greece.
• The island is so small that you can go round it all in one day on a motorcycle.
• From the mainland of Greece, Thassos is only 12 kilometers away.

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 rest of the whole family, because there are very few nightclubs and noisy institutions, but many clean sand and pebble beaches.

Gocechaada

This, as already mentioned at the very beginning, is the Turkish East Aegean island. It covers an area of 286.84 km ², and live on this territory about 8-9 thousand people. This is what makes this island interesting:

• Originally Goceaada was settled by Pelasgians. This is the people that existed before the Mycenaean civilization. But in the fifth century BC the island was captured by the Persians.
• At the beginning of the last century 97.5% of those living on the island were Greeks.
• In July 1993, the citizens of Turkey from the mainland began to be resettled in Gokceada. This led to mass migration of the Greek population. At the time of the census, conducted in 2000, among all residents only 250 people turned out to be Greeks.
• The main local attraction is the medieval castle in Kaleköy.
• In the south of the island there is an extinct volcano. It is the highest point of Goekcead.

Tourism here is not developed, as all visitors prefer to go to the popular resorts of Turkey.

Samothrace

This small Aegean island of Greece covers an area of 177.96 km ². Samothrace is very small, and there are only three thousand people living on its territory. And then, the majority - in the largest city called Camariotis. Here's what you can tell about it:

• From one end of the island to the other one can be reached in just 15 minutes by car.
• The highest point is the mountain Σάμος, reaching 5,000 feet. At all times it acted as a naval landmark.
• Samotraki from ancient times were famous for the cabaret mysteries (worship services). They passed 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 was found a statue of Nicky of Samothrace, which is now stored in the Louvre of Paris.

Despite the fact that Samotrak is very small, beach and ecological tourism is developed on its territory.

Ayios Efstratios

The area of this islet is only 43.32 km ². Ayios Efstratios is characterized by an arid climate, it itself is a rocky terrain composed of volcanic rocks. There is very little vegetation, which is explained by the origin of the island.

Agios Efstratios is isolated and is not officially used for tourist purposes. Also, agriculture is poorly developed here - few crops are grown. Most local people are engaged in fishing, as well as the production of cheese and wine. And here live, by the way, only 3-4 hundreds of people.

However, this is not some unsociable wild island. Ayios-Efstratios is very beautiful and tidy. He meets his guests with white houses, quiet harbors and numerous vineyards. There is only one city here - Chora. It has several restaurants, taverns, guest houses and small hotels. Interesting places, too. This is the cave of Ayios-Ephratios, where the patron of the island, the Byzantine church and the sea gorges - Trypia Spillia and Fokia long ago lived.

Bozcaada

In conclusion of the story of the North-Eastern Aegean Islands, I would like to dwell on Fr. Bozcaada, owned by Turkey. It is quite tiny - its area is only 36 km². However, this Aegean island has an interesting and rich history, despite its size. Here are some entertaining facts about Bozcaada:

• Only five kilometers separates it from the coast of Asia Minor.
• Bozcaada was the base of the Russian fleet at the time of the Dardanelles blockade.
• At 10 km from it are the Rabbit Islands, which are strategically important (right near the entrance to the Dardanelles).
• Bozdjaada is well-developed winemaking.
• Many tourists come here for diving.

Well, as you can see, even such a small islet is of some interest. In the Aegean Sea, they are still many, but all of the above are the most famous, so that they could not be told.