Donoussa

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The Greek island of Donousa (Greek Δονούσα ( f sg )) is within the Cyclades to the group of small Ostkykladen. Since 2011 she is with some other uninhabited islets a district of the municipality Naxos and Small Cyclades in the region South Aegean.

Location

Donousa is the easternmost island of the Lesser Ostkykladen and lies about 16 km east of Naxos. Amorgos located 23 km south-east and Pano Koufonisi 23km southwest. The coastline of 13.652 km ². large, up to 6 x 6 km wide island is heavily dissected by elongated capes and coves. In the immediate vicinity of the island are more small Felseninselchen of which Skylonisi is the largest on the northeast coast. The municipality Donousa include two small archipelagos, the islands of the group Makares ( Μάκαρες ) are 8 km southwest. The three rocky islands of the group Melandii ( Μελάντιοι ) are about 13.5 km to the northeast.

Donousa is hilly to the north and east increasingly mountainous. The highest elevations Papas ( Πάπας, 383 m) and Vardia ( Βάρδια, 386 m ) are in the northeast and east. The bushy vegetation forms of Phrygana dominate the landscape of the island to a large extent.

History

On Donousa at Achtia ton Agrilion ( Αχτιά των Αγριλιών ) and Myti tou Trachyla ( Μύτη του Τραχύλα ) had already in the 3rd millennium BC, two settlements of the prehistoric Cycladic civilization established who specialized in fishing and breeding.

During the Geometric period from the 10th to the 7th century BC Donousa experienced a period of prosperity, like Vathy Limenari finds the fortified settlement ( Βαθύ Λιμενάρι ) is close to the south of the island, with a strong influence of the Dodekanesinseln. Many cremation burial places were exposed to the settlement.

The island was during the Roman period probably a place of exile.

In the Middle Ages and the Ottoman rule Donousa pirates offered shelter.

In the 18th and 19th century, the island Denousa ( Ντενούσα or Δενούσα ), was named Stenoza ( Στενόζα ) or Spinosa ( Σπινόζα ). To 1830, shepherds settled to cultivate the land from Aegialis Amorgos as a tenant at.

Early 20th century to 1938 were reduced at Kedros iron, aluminum and copper. At that time there were about 3,000 people on the island. During World War II first occupied Italy from 1941 to 1943 and then until 1944 the German Wehrmacht Donousa.

Structure

The current district Donousa counts 167 inhabitants

• Donousa ( Δονούσα ( f sg ) ) and Stavros ( Σταυρός ( m. sg. ) ) Or Kambos ( Κάμπος ( m. sg. ) ), 141
• Kalotaritissa ( Καλοταρίτισσα ( f sg ) ), 2
• Mersini ( Μερσίνη ( f sg ) ), 22
• Charavgi ( Χαραυγή ( f sg ) ) or Mesaria ( Μεσαριά ( f sg ) ), 2

• Skylonisi ( Σκυλονήσι (n. sg. ) )
• Moschonas ( Μοσχονάς ( m. sg. ) )
• Referred Melandii ( Μελάντιοι ), three rocky islands as Vouves, Bouve or Chtenia ( Βούβες, Μπουβέ, or Χτένια )
• Makares ( Μάκαρες ) or Macheres ( Μαχαίρες ) Megalo Nisi ( Μεγάλο Νησί (n. sg. ) ), Agios Nikolaos
• Agia Paraskevi ( Αγία Παρασκευή ( f sg ) )
• Strongyli ( Στρογγυλή ( f sg ) )

Economy

Until the 1950s, especially tobacco and onions were grown. However, the worsening economic situation since the 1960s and the related migration has meant that the agricultural crops devastated.

Only with the gradual improvement of maritime links and the slow growth of tourism has improved the economic situation.

Today the residents earn their income mainly through tourism. Agriculture and fisheries are operated only on a small scale and mainly for captive use.

Traffic

Donousa regularly (2-4 times per week) served by ferries from Piraeus, as well as several times a week by the " Express Scopelitis " that connects Donousa with Amorgos, Naxos, and other Small Cyclades. Other connections are available three times a week from Syros. During the high season from the port, starting several times a day buses that serve as needed different places and beaches.

Conservation

Donousa is part of the Natura 2000 area GR4220013 Mikres Kyklades: Irakleia, Schoinoussa, Koufonisia, Keros, Antikeri kai thal assia zoni ( Μικρές Κυκλάδες: από Κέρο μέχρι Ηράκλεια, Σχοινούσσα, Κουφονήσια, Κέρος, Αντικέρι και θαλάσσια ζώνη ).