Search Results - Corfu
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Corfu ( Greek ??????a, Kérkyra, IPA&_160; ['k?e??k?i?a]; Ancient Greek ??????a or ??????a; Latin Corcyra; Italian Corfù) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian islands, [2] and lies off the coast of Sarandë, Albania, from which it is separated by straits varying in breadth from 3 to 23 km (2 to 15 mi), including one near ancient Butrint and a longer one west of Thesprotia. The island is part of the Corfu Prefecture, and includes twelve of the sixteen municipalities or communes in the prefecture and over Communities of Ereikoussa, Mathraki, Othonoi, and Municipality of Paxoi, which are all separate islands. The principal town (pop. 28,185) of the island is also named Corfu, or Kérkyra in Greek, as is its municipality (pop. 39,487). Corfu is home to the Ionian University. The island is steeped in history and perennially connected to the history of Greece from the beginning of Greek mythology. Its Greek name, Kerkyra or Korkyra, is connected to two powerful water symbols Poseidon, god of the sea and Asopos, an important Greek mainland river.[3] According to myth, Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, daughter of Asopus and river nymph Metope, and abducted her, as was the custom among gods of the era's myths – Zeus himself was a serial offender.[3] Poseidon brought her to the hitherto unnamed island and, in marital bliss, offered her name to the place Korkyra,[3] which gradually evolved to Kerkyra (Doric).[4] Together, they had a child they called Phaiax, after whom the inhabitants of the island were named Phaiakes, which was then transliterated via Latin to Phaeacians. The island's history is laden with battles and conquests, indicative of Corfu's turbulent position in a historical vortex lasting until the modern period, at which time unification with modern Greece from 1864 made the island's history one with that of the mainland, with no further foreign intervention. The legacy of these struggles is visible in the form of castles punctuating strategic locations across the island. Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. As a result, Corfu's capital has been officially declared a Kastropolis (Castle city) by the Greek Government.[4] In 2007, the city's old town was named on the UNESCO World Heritage List, following a recommendation by ICOMOS.[5][6][7] The name Corfu is an Italian corruption of the Byzantine ????f? (Korypho), meaning city of the peaks, which is derived from the Greek ????fa? (Koryphai), meaning Crests or Peaks, denoting the two peaks of Palaio Frourio.[4] In shape it is not unlike the sickle (drepane, d?ep???), to which it was compared by the ancients, the hollow side, with the town and harbour of Corfu in the centre, lying toward the Albanian coast. With the island's area estimated at 227&_160;square miles (588&_160;km2), it runs approximately 40&_160;miles (64&_160;km) long, with greatest breadth at around 20&_160;miles (32&_160;km). Two high and well-defined ranges divide the island into three districts, of which the northern is mountainous, the central undulating, and the southern low-lying. The more important of the two ranges is that of Pantokrator (?a?t????t??), the ancient Istone, which stretches east and west from Cape Falacro to Cape Psaromita, and attains its greatest elevation in the summit from which it takes its name. The second culminates in the mountain of Santi Jeca, or Santa Decca, as it is called by misinterpretation of the Greek designation ????? ???a (Hagioi Deka), or the Ten Saints. The whole island, composed as it is of various limestone formations, presents great diversity of surface, and views from more elevated spots are magnificent. Beaches are found in Agios Gordis, the Korission lagoon, Agios Georgios, Marathia, Kassiopi, Sidari, Palaiokastritsa and many others. Corfu is located near the Kefalonia geological fault formation and as such earthquakes are sometimes experienced. But the fact is that Corfu town and countryside has not lost its traditional architecture from 16th century to a succession of earthquakes. On 29 June 2007, the island was struck by a medium-strength earthquake measured at 5.9 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located undersea near Lefkimmi (34 kilometers (21 miles) southwest of the northern port city of Igoumenitsa). The quake also shook Paxoi, and some damage was reported; the main tremor occurred during evening hours and an aftershock at around 909 p.m. (1809 GMT) in the morning, near Paxoi. [8]
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Showing 1 to 12 of 12 Articles matching 'Corfu' in related articles. |
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1. Corfu, the Princess of the Ionian Islands in Greece
October 08, 2008
There are many reasons to visit Corfu such as the natural beauty of the island, the incredible, often endless beaches, the night life or the quiet alternatives it offers, the low-budget or the luxurious holiday you can experience, the unique villages that are either abandoned or throb with life and so on…
There are also the reasons that make this island one of a kind. It is the alternation between mountain and sea, it’s somehow magical how while you are on the mountain within a few minutes you descend and find yourself at a beautiful beach. It’s nice to see the blue turn to green as the t... (read more)
Author: Niki Politi
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2. Cheap holidays Corfu
October 07, 2008
If you are looking for a getaway that is inexpensive try spring and autumn in Corfu. In May and October crowds are going away and prices are going down. Corfu is popular for its approximately three million olive trees as well as its sandy beaches and sleepy villages. With so little crime it is considered one of the safest places in the world local residents leave their houses and cars unlocked. Corfu is popular with families as well as adults looking for a bit of history with their stay abroad. The island is full of traditional fishing villages and the markets are full of bargains and barte... (read more)
Author: Elena Carr
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3. Greece
July 24, 2008
I hope you enjoy this article brought to you by www.traveltypes.net
Greece
Greece, a country with an extraordinary captivating mix of ancient and modern, stands at a crossroads of culture and civilizations. From a villa explore Greek architecture, meet the locals and experience some authentic Greek cuisine. The Greek islands are extremely popular amongst tourists and there are an abundance of resources at your disposal. The Ionian Islands are an integral part of the country's tradition and offer a picture postcard landscape that can never be truly captured. The best time of year t... (read more)
Author: Anne Bain
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4. Choosing your Corfu villa
July 24, 2008
So Why would anyone visit Corfu, and in particular, choose to stay in one of the many excellent Corfu villas? The beautiful island of Corfu is situated just of the West coast of Greece and is one of the Ionian islands. Corfu's lush green landscape, coupled with its Mediterranean climate mean it is an ideal choice for holiday makers. Hot and dry in the summer, the winter rain creates lush vegetation which includes over 2 million olive trees. Much of the island contains a selection of wonderful, traditional villas, and the beaches their are delightful, but beware or renting a Villa in Corfu too ... (read more)
Author: Richard Bell
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5. Vacations in Crete
April 03, 2008
I would like to write my first article for Amazines.com about Crete. Crete is the biggest and most populated island of Greece and is a great destination for tourists from all over the globe. Greece has many islands and each of them is really beautiful and has so many things to see. Take Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes and Corfu, for instance. Mykonos may be a top destination but is not as big as Crete and certainly has not the same culture. Crete's culture is great amd it is a pity that not many visitors pay attention to the history of the island. The museums, the archaeological sites and the traditio... (read more)
Author: Chris Moraitis
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6. Lefkada
February 15, 2008
Lefkada is the fourth largest island in the Ionian Sea located between Corfu and Cephalonia. A thin strip of sea which the first Corinthian settlers here dredged in the mid 7th century BC is all that separates the island from the prefecture of Akarnania, but having said that access is easy thanks to the causeway which links the two sides of this channel. Lefkada owes its name to the island's most southerly tip, Cape Lefkatas, which in ancient times was known by the Greek name 'Leucas akra' or 'Leucas petra' meaning white end or white stone, referring to the white rock there. Twenty four sm... (read more)
Author: George Papas
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7. A Cheap Holiday Cruise For Less Than $1000
October 27, 2007
Have you every thought about where you would really love to spend your vacation? Maybe you want a cheap holiday vacation, but you certainly don't expect it to be cheaper than $1000 for you and your family. You may never have thought of a cruise of the Greek Isles. What a wonderful cruise with stops in Athens, Bari, Corfu, Crete, Dubrovnik, Katakolon, Santorini and Venice. Consider planning a seven day cruise around a holiday. The Greek Isles are so beautiful any time of year, but you should leave around Easter or Memorial Day, in order to get a cheap holiday.
In Venice, Italy, one thing... (read more)
Author: nick rauge
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8. Corfu's Fabulous Festivals
December 10, 2006
Arguably one of the most beautiful Greek Islands, the 'Emerald Island' of Corfu is especially popular when its many festivals are in full swing. Although summer is the peak time for festivals in Corfu, there are numerous local celebrations, name days, and religious events that bring colour and charm to a Corfu holiday. If you are planning a holiday in Corfu look out for the following events;
Religious themes for Easter On Palm Sunday, a street procession follows the line of the old Corfu town walls, from where Saint Spiridon drove off the plague in 1630. But this is just a precursor to E... (read more)
Author: Rod Ritchie
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9. Corfu island, a Greek Island in Greece
November 27, 2006
Named for a beautiful nymph, Corfu Greece has been a historical and geographic stepping stone between Greece and the rest of Europe. This Greek island is steeped in history, from being visited and mentioned by Homer to being bombed in WW II. But, protected by St. Spyridon, Corfu or Kerkira Greece survives and thrives.
The Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, fell in love with the beautiful nymph, Korkyra. As gods often did, he simply kidnapped a bride, and whisked her off to an unnamed island where they enjoyed a time of marital bliss. Poseidon was so enamored of his lovely wife; he ... (read more)
Author: s pappas
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10. The top Golfing Islands in the sun
November 26, 2006
This year, avoid the winter chill and opt for an island golfing holiday in the sun. Your winter escape is easy to plan – just choose a destination and book your flights and hotels through a reputable golf holiday specialist. Within a few hours you can be at your island destination preparing for a round of golf and contemplating an after match dip in the hotel pool. Whether it’s the Canary Islands or Majorca in Spain, Mauritius, Cyprus, or the Greek island of Corfu, the sunshine and local ambience combined with a relaxing game of golf will lift your winter blues. Canary Islands golf holiday... (read more)
Author: Rod Ritchie
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11. Five "Secret" Greek islands
July 03, 2006
A Greek Island escape makes the perfect holiday, but with around 1,400 islands in the Greek archipelago, choosing a destination that is not overrun with holidaymakers can be a challenge. While Corfu and Crete are deservedly popular, especially with first-time Greece travelers, here are five ‘secret’ Greek islands that should be on your itinerary. Kea Part of the Cyclades, and close to the mainland, laid-back Kea is no secret with the locals who flock here to their weekend retreats. Ferries to Kea leave from Lavrio, a 90-minute bus trip from Athens. Kea has a laid-back atmosphere, good wal... (read more)
Author: Rod Ritchie
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12. Yacht Charter in the Northern Ionian Sea
April 18, 2006
The Ionian combines both good sailing weather, sunny and warm with predictable winds with a facinating group of islands. Navigation is generally by line of sight and a passage between islands is generally only a few hours in duration The islands are attractive and steeped in Greek mythology. This is a great place for people learning to sail or building experience and so it is no surprise that it is home to several companies running flotilla sailing holidays.
No look at the Ionian would be complete withouth mention of Homer and the Odyssey. The Odyssey tells the storey of Odysseus and his ... (read more)
Author: ken jones
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