Salamis Island

From Free net encyclopedia

Statistics
Metropolitan area:	Athens (Piraeus)
Location:	Template:Coor dms
Area: -Total -Water -Rank	15 km² Rank 3rd
Population: (2001) - Total - Density¹ - Rank	24,119 </small>
Elevation: -lowest: -centre:	sea level 20 m(centre) around 300 to 400 m
Postal code:	189
Area/distance code:	11-30-210 (030-210) -460 through 469
Municipal code:	4013
Car designation:	`Y` (prev.) `Z` pres.

The Greek island of Salamis (Greek, Modern: Σαλαμίνα Salamina, Ancient/Katharevousa: ) is the largest island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile (2 km) off-coast from Piraeus. Paloukia Port is the main port, in size second only to Piraeus in Greece. The name Salamis is probably derived from Salam (chalam), meaning calm or peace, under which it was mentioned in Homer's writings. It also could have been named after Cychreus's mother (Cychreus was the first king of the island). Image:Salamis.JPG Salamis island is known for the Battle of Salamis, and is said to be the birthplace of Ajax the great and Euripides, the latter's birth being popularly placed on the day the island's famous battle was won.

In modern times, it is home to a Greek naval base which serves as headquarters for the Greek navy. The harbor was bombed by the German Luftwaffe in 1941, sinking the Kilkis (formerly the USS Idaho (BB-24)) and the Lemnos (formerly USS Mississippi (BB-23)).

Salamis or Salamina is also a municipality on the island. The current mayor in the last municipal elections taken place in 2002 is Evangelos Agapiou.