Corfu

Population: 102,071 (2011)

 

ISLAND OVERVIEW

 

Corfu is the far North Western part of Greece and lies very close to Albania. Its shape resembles a sickle, with the east coast home to the city and harbour of Corfu.

Two high and well-defined ranges divide the island into three districts; the northern is mountainous, the central undulating, and the southern low-lying.  Mount Pantokrator is the highest at 2,989 feet. 

The old town of Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is surrounded by a fortress, which was partially destroyed by the British when they left the island in 1860. The archaeological museum of Corfu is famous for the ancient sculptures it contains from the temple of Artemis (580b.c.) and a collection of Classics and Romaic sculptures found in different parts of the island.

The economy of Corfu is mostly based on tourism. It is extensively planted with olive groves and vineyards and has been producing olive oil and wine since antiquity.  It also produces local speciality products, such as cheese, butter, salami and a liqueur made from kumquats. 

There are many refugees living on this island, mainly from Albania, as it is such a short distance between Albania & Corfu.

Corfu, Greece

The Island & Its History

 

Corfu, Greece map
click image to view in Google Maps

Over the years, Corfu fell into Roman, Venetian, French, Russian in alliance with Turkey and English domination until finally it was reunited with Greece in 1864.

In ancient times, the Goddess Artemis and the God Dionysus were worshipped on the island.

The island is bound up with the history of Greece from the beginnings of Greek mythology. Its history is full of battles and conquests. Ruins of ancient Greek temples and other archaeological sites of the ancient city of Korkyra are found in Palaiopolis. Medieval castles spread across strategic locations are a legacy of struggles in the Middle Ages against invasions by pirates and the Ottomans. Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in this way.

There is a feast on the 11th August each year, which was established after the last Venetian Turkish war (1714-1718).

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