Gavdos

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Coordinates: 34°51′N, 24°05′E

Gavdos (Γαύδος)

98 source (2001)

27 km²

3,63 /km²

730 01

28230-4

ΧΝ

Community of Gavdos in Chania prefecture

Gavdos (Greek: Γαύδος) is the southernmost Greek island, located to the south of its much bigger neighbour, Crete, of which it is administratively a part, in the prefecture of Chania. It forms a community with surrounding islets and is part of the province of Selino. It is the southernmost point of Europe.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Politics
4 External links
5 See also

[edit] Geography

Potamos-beach in Gavdos with the island of Crete in the background

The island is 26 nautical miles south of Hora Sfakion and is 27 km² in area. There is only a small number of year-round residents and services for tourists are basic. As in 2001, the total population of Gavdos was measured as 98 people. [1]. The truth is that fewer than 50 people live permanently in the island, and during the census period (2 days) 98 people were in the island. In the summer the total people in the island can reach over 3500, most of which are nude campers. The harbour for irregular ferries is Karave, the island's capital is Kastri. The southern populated village is Vatsiana with a total permanent population of 2 people.

[edit] History

**Community of Gavdos**

Place	Population
Kastrion	23
Ampelos	6
Vatsiana	23
Gavdopoula (Islet)	3
Carave	16
Fokia	27

Gavdos has supported a permanent population since Neolithic times; nowadays, however, the island has very few people. The place has seen many uses in the different times it has inspired interest. Gavdos has sometimes been identified as the site of the mythical Ogygia where Kalypso held Odysseus prisoner. Archaeological evidence showed that the Roman empire was active on the island. During this time the flora of the island was overexploited, this started a process of erosion which continued to this very day.

The Apostle Paul passed to the lee of Gavdos on his final voyage to Rome. After leaving Crete, a storm swept up blowing his ship off course such that he passed near to the island. The account is recorded in Acts 27:16.

Later, at the time of the Byzantine Empire, the island had some 8,000 inhabitants (900-1000 AD) and supported 3 bishops and an archbishop. During the Turkish Empire's reign on the island, which lasted from 1665 up until 1895, Gavdos was known as Gondzo. During this period the population decreased considerably to only 500 inhabitants by 1882. A reference to Saracens on the island survives - a beach is named Sarakiniko (of the Saracens in Greek).

In the 30's the island was used as a place of exile of communists; more than 250 people were exiled including leading figures of the Greek movement, such as Markos Vafiadis. Later on, the general phase of urbanization that started in other parts of Greece in the 60's, took place in the 50's on Gavdos. During that period the islanders exchanged their land on Gavdos with ex-Turkish land on Crete, which had now become exchangeable via the state. Upon settling in Crete they created a community known as Gavdiotika.

[edit] Politics

Following years of isolation, in 1996 the island came to media prominence. In a NATO exercise Gavdos was the focal point of a contestation between Greece and Turkey. Following that, prime minister Simitis, visited Gavdos and announced a five-year, €1.5 million plan for Gavdos' development.

In 2001, Costis Stephanopoulos, the Greek President, inaugurated a telemedicine centre on Gavdos, an island which has never had a doctor. This exercise, however, was marred as the island's infrastructure could not provide the necessary power required by the centre. For the purposes of the inauguration, generators were brought in, which were then removed.

In 2002, the island came to the forefront again, due to the arrests of members of the terrorist group November 17.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

List of communities of Chania

Coordinates: 34°51′N, 24°05′E

*Municipalities and communities* of the Chania Prefecture**
Akrotiri • Anatoliko Selino • Armenoi • Chania • Eleftherios Venizelos • Fres • Georgioupoli • Innachori • Kandanos • Keramia • Kissamos • Kolymvari • Kryonerida • Mousouroi • Mythimna • Nea Kydonia • Pelekanos • Platanias • Sfakia • Souda • Theriso • Vamos • Voukolies
Asi Gonia • Gavdos