Donousa
Donousa (Greek: Δονούσα, also Δενούσα Denousa), and sometimes spelled Donoussa, is an island and a former community in the Cyclades, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Naxos and Lesser Cyclades, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] Donousa is the easternmost island of the Lesser Cyclades.
Donousa
Δονούσα | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Donousa Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates: 37°06′0″N 25°48′59″E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | South Aegean |
| Regional unit | Naxos |
| Municipality | Naxos and Lesser Cyclades |
| • Municipal unit | 13.750 km2 (5.309 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 385 m (1,263 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 167 |
| • Municipal unit density | 12/km2 (31/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 843 00 |
| Area code(s) | 22850 |
| Vehicle registration | EM |
| Website | www |
Geography
Donousa is located 16 km (10 mi) east of the island of Naxos and about 25 km (16 mi) north of Amorgos. Its area is 13.75 square kilometres (5.31 sq mi)[3] and its highest point is 385 metres (1,263 ft). Its population is 167 inhabitants (2011 census), most of which live in the main settlement Donousa (also Stavros). Other villages include Mersini (on the southeastern coast), Kalotaritissa (near its northern coastline) and Charavgi (in the south).
Climate
According to the station of National Observatory of Athens, Donousa has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) with mild winters and hot summers. Donousa has an average annual temperature of around 19.2°C and an average annual precipitation of 260.2 mm (2012-2018).[4][5]
History
Tracing all the way back to ancient Greek mythology in the prehistoric times, Dionysus, the god of winemaking and wine, took Ariadne from Naxos to hide her from Theseus.[6] There is also evidence of inhabitation on Donousa during the Early Cycladic period, around 3,000 BC.[6]
The island during the Roman times, was additionally considered to be the place where exiles were deported. Later, it became the favourite hideout spot of Mediterranean pirates.[7] Throughout time, the island was ruled by various civilisations including the Venetians and Turks.[6]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | 235 | — |
| 1946 | 250 | +0.34% |
| 1981 | 116 | −2.17% |
| 1991 | 111 | −0.44% |
| 2001 | 163 | +3.92% |
| 2011 | 167 | +0.24% |
Towns
Agios Stavros is the main port and capital of Donousa. When visiting the Agios Stavros port and town, one will find a variety of taverns, cafes, bakeries, mini markets, rooms for rental and other touristic facilities.[7]
Other towns and villages on the island include Kalotaritissa, Haravgi and Mersini.[8]
References
- "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
- "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
- "Monthly Bulletins". www.meteo.gr.
- Annual climatological summary Archived 21 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- "History of Donoussa island | Greeka". Greekacom. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
- "Donousa Greece | Greece.com". www.greece.com. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
- "Donousa". VisitGreece. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
