Halki (Greece)

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Halki (Greek Χάλκη ( f sg ) ) is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, to the prefecture ( νομός, Nomos ) and historic region of the Dodecanese and thus belongs to the archipelago of the Southern Sporades. The 26.988 km ² large island has about 34 km of coastline. Together with Alimia and some other uninhabited islets, it forms a municipality ( dimos, δήμος ) Greece.

Geography

From the Cape Armenistis, located west of Monolithos Rhodes, Halki is only about 9 miles away; to the coast of the neighboring island Alimia there are eastbound about 6 km. Halki is actually quite mountainous; The highest mountains are Maistros (593 m), Profit Ilias ( 578 m), Elijah (518 m) and Kapnikari (501 m).

In ancient times lived on Halki up to 8,000 people. At the time still well wooded and rainy island especially wheat was grown. The name of Halki means " copper ", the ore was formerly mined on the island.

History

The history of Halki is closely connected with the history of Rhodes. Thus, the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire in 1204 and was later under changing rule. From 1523 to 1912 Halki belonged to the Ottoman Empire. 1912 Halki, as the entire Dodecanese was occupied by Italy in 1922 and ceded to Italy. Occupied in 1943 until May 1945 German and British troops until March 7, 1948 the island. Halki is today Greece.

Economy

Halki was in the Aegean along with the islands of Symi and Kalymnos long time the center of the sponge diving. With the upcoming end of the industry, many residents left the island and emigrated to the United States, especially to Florida. Many settled in Tarpon Springs down, the "place of the sponge fishermen ".

Following the partially glory days of the past, the island is now marked by decay. In Halki there is only one place that bears the same name. The village has 478 inhabitants. The harbor is called Emborio (Greek Εμποριό ). As on the other islands of the Dodecanese tourism is virtually the only source of income today. However, a supply of residents and tourists taking day trips from Rhodes, is difficult, since even drinking water must be brought to the island by boat.