Kalymnos

Infobox Greek Isles
name = Kalymnos
native_name = Κάλυμνος
skyline = Kalymnos.jpg
sky_caption = Pothia


coordinates = coord|36|59|N|26|59|E
chain = Dodecanese
isles = 7
area = 134.544
highest_mount =
elevation = 700
periph = South Aegean
prefect = Dodecanese
capital = Kalymnos city (Pothia)
population = 16441
pop_as_of = 2001
postal = 852 00
telephone = 224x0-xx
license = ΚΧ, ΡΟ, PK
website = [http://www.kalymnos-isl.gr www.kalymnos-isl.gr]

Kalymnos, ( _el. Κάλυμνος) is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum (the ancient Halicarnassos), between the islands of Kos (south, at a distance of 12 km) and Leros (north, at a distance of less than 2 km): the latter is linked to it through a series of islets. Kalymnos lies between two to five hours away by sea from Rhodes. The island was previously been called "Càlino" in Italian and "Kilimli" in Turkish.

In 2001 the island had a population of 16,235, making it the third most populated island of the Dodecanese, after Kos and Rhodes. It is known in Greece for the affluence of much of its population, and also stands both the wealthiest member of the Dodecanese and one of the wealthiest Greek islands overall. The Municipality of Kalymnos, which includes the populated offshore islands of Pserimos (pop. 130), Telendos (54), Kalólimnos (20), and Pláti (2), as well as several uninhabited islets, has a combined land area of 134.544 km² and a total population of 16,441 inhabitants.

Geography

The island is roughly rectangular in shape, with a length of 21 km and a width of 13 km, and covers an area of 109 km². Moreover, on the north side there is a peninsula which stretches in a Northwest direction.

Kalymnos is mainly mountainous, with a complicated pattern. There are three main chains going from W-NW to E-SE, and a fourth one which innervates the peninsula. The coastline is very irregular, with many sheltered coves. There are some springs, one among them being thermal. The soil is mainly made of limestone, but in the valleys there is a compact bank of volcanic tuff, relic of an ancient volcano, located near the village of "Kantouni". The island is mainly barren, except the two fertile valleys of Vathi and Pothia, where olives, oranges and vineyards grow.

Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence around Kalymnos.

Archipelago of Kalymnos

Kalymnos is neighbored by the small island of Telendos, which was part of Kalymnos, but after a major earthquake 554 AD was split and separated from Kalymnos by a strip of water (about 800 m wide).

Between Kalymnos and Kos there is the islet of Pserimos which is inhabited and, with an area of 11 km², is one of the largest among the lesser islands of Dodecanese. Near Pserimos lies the islet of "Platí", and about 5 km to the NE there is the small islet of "Kalolimnos".

History

Inhabited originally by Carians, during the ancient ages Kalymnos depended on Kos, and followed its history. In the Middle Ages it was Byzantine, and during the XIII Century it was used by Venice as a naval base. In 1310 it became a possession of the Knights of Rhodes, and later (mainly in 1457 and 1460) was often attacked by the Ottomans, which conquered it in 1522. Unlike Rhodes and Kos, during the Ottoman period there was no Turkish immigration to Kalymnos.

On May 12, 1912, during the Italo-Turkish War, Kalymnos was occupied by Italian sailors of the Regia Marina. Italy took control of the island along with other islands of the Dodecanese until 1947, when the Dodecansese finally were united with mainland Greece.

Economy

Being mostly barren (only 18% of the land can be cultivated), agriculture played always a minor role in economy of the island, except for the valley of Vathi.The island is famous for its citrus fruits.

Kalymnos owed its past wealth to the sea, mainly with trading and boat building, but the main industry of the island was Sponge fishing. Here the island was the main centre of production in the Aegean, and still now is a traditional occupation with related exhibitions, along with other local folklore, at three local museums.Another industrial activity typical of Kalymnos was the production of painted head scarfs, which were the most original component of the female dress.Lately, the most important activity became tourism.

Since the beginning of last century there has been a very strong emigration abroad (in 1925 the population amounted to 24,000 inhabitants), especially to the USA and Australia. The cities of Darwin and Melbourne in Australia, and Tarpon Springs in the USA house large Greek communities of Kalymnian descent.

Description of the island

The district capital of Kalymnos, situated in a natural amphitheatre, is "Pothia", which is the main port of the island. The town features Italianate architecture, a silver-domed cathedral dedicated to Jesus (Christos), the churches of "Aghios Nikolaos" and "Aghios Stefanos" and the "Monastery of St. Savas", perched on a hilltop overlooking the town.

Being a mostly barren island with little agriculture, on the island there are few established villages ("Vathi" being an exception).

The main population lives in town during the winter, and during the summer months migrates to the various holiday resorts around the island.

"Massouri" is the most touristic location of the island with plenty of hotels and night life. For those who are looking for a quieter place, "Panormos", "Emborios" and "Plati Gialos" are the answers. The small island of Pserimos is very near to Pothia and has beautiful sandy beaches.

The main town has easy two local beaches, a man-made beach at the West End of the harbour, and the cove at Gefira.

Limestone cliffs with a multitude of caves and overhanging areas have made Kalymnos a destination for international rock climbers; and more specifically for sport climbing. The huge yellow cave full of stalactites above the town of Masouri (The "Grande Grotta") and the long and tall walls that surround it are most popular. The other small hamlets of Kalymnos are "Vathy", "Myrties", "Emborios" and the small village of "Agios Petros" at the north end of the island.

References

*cite book |last= Bertarelli |first= L.V. |title= Guida d'Italia, Vol. XVII |publisher= Consociazione Turistica Italiana, Milano |year= 1929

External links

*wikitravelpar|Kalymnos
* [http://www.kalymnos-isl.gr/ Official website] en el icon