Corfu is the capital of Corfu prefecture, one of the the
Ionian
islands. It is built on the eastern beach of the island of Corfu. The city
has a population of 32,000 residents and is famous for its natural beauty. Corfu
is build on a peninsula that divides the city into two parts, with disparate
characteristics like the entire urban and residential project of the city.
Indeed, while the new part of Corfu town designated for large squares (the
famous Spianada square is perhaps the greatest and most beautiful square in
Greece), wide avenues and modern buildings, while the old city with its cobbled
streets and old alleyways, give their own colour in this part of the city that
strongly resembles a medieval Venetian seaside district.
In recent years it has started a strongly development of tourism. In this help
the green scenery, the golden beaches of Corfu and the traditional hospitality
of the people. The growing number of tourists has made the port and airport of
Corfu have become main competitors of the port of Piraeus and the airport of
Athens in terms of traffic.
Looking at the island of morphological terms, we can see the hilly nature of the
soil. Almost the entire island is covered by hills and low mountains like the
Pantocrator, the Stravoskiadi and Tsouka. From the plains, most important is
that in the southern part of the island near the lake Korissia, its length
exceeds 12 km.
Despite the fact that the average annual rainfall is quite high, but because of
the short length of the island, there are not to be found any significant river.
Instead we find many torrents, but hard to operate like small rivers. The many
rains affect the climate of the island. During the summer months especially an
absolute drought occurs from time to time.
Along the coastline there are many capes and bays, where are built some of 's
finest and luxury hotel groups in Greece. Near the town is the most famous
landmark of Corfu, the famous picturesque island of Pontikonisi, the Mouse
island, which is to Corfu what is the Acropolis in Athens and the White Tower in
Thessaloniki.
The ever increasing tourists led to the use of all the island beauty, both
natural and archaeological. Since the island has a history starting from the
Homeric era, many ancient monuments adorn the island of Corfu. But the best
preserved Venetian buildings are still used today in some areas. In Corfu town,
we meet the two Venetian fortresses and many churches of that era and of course
all the old part of town is a miniature Venetian city. Apart from those linked
with the Venetian republic monuments, many other attractions adorn the city,
including the church of the patron saint and protector of the island Saint
Spyridon, the tombs of
Ioannis Kapodistrias (the first governor of Greece), Solomos the national
poet of Greece and Achillion, whith the statue of the dying Achilles . This
beautiful palace was built by the Empress Elizabeth of the Austrian-Hungary
Empire in 1890, used occasionally as a summer residence of many celebrities.
Other attractions include the Summer Palace "Mon Repos", the Archaeological
Museum and the China and Japan museum, the Public Library and City Hall. The
extremely long tradition of the island in the literature and culture gives it
enviable position on spiritual terms. The latter holders of the island, before
integrating with Greece, were the English. Corfu was then under a peculiar
system of protection until 1863, when by the treaty of London was granted with
the other Ionian islands in Greece.
Corfu has a long intellectual tradition. In the island lived during the
Alexandrian era, Dracon, the poet Agalis the Filiskos, Mnasias etc. During the
Byzantine era many ecclesiastical leaders, such as Arsenios Koufaris,Bardanes
etc. In Corfu was founded in 1657, the first Greek academy, and later created
the famous Ionian Academy and the first university in Greece. In 1815 founded
the School of Fine Arts and 25 years later the Philharmonic Society within which
they live and stand many Greek composers. Towards the middle and late 19th
century Corfu was residence of many scholars and poets such as
Dionysios Solomos, Markoras, Polylas and later Theotokis and Mavilis. An
important event in 1994 highlighted the Corfu as a place of global concern.
Specifically, the city of Corfu was held on June 24, 1994, the summit of the
European
Parliament to elect a new president. At the meeting, which was attended by
leaders of all countries - members of the European Union, discussed the critical
issues for the progress of European integration, but due to various
disagreements there wasnt elected a president during that meeting. The meeting
was accompanied by significant cultural events and interesting exhibitions.
The prefecture of Corfu is one of the 53 prefectures of Greece and the first
county in population of the Ionian Islands. It has an area of 641 sq. km. km and
a population of 107,592 inhabitants.
The county is divided administratively into two provinces. The province with the
capital Corfu and the Paxos province with capital Gaios.It consists of the
second after the island of Kefalonia, largest island of the Ionian Sea, Corfu
and from the nearby small islands Othoni, Mathraki, Ericousa and the group
of islands of Paxi. The county is the closest prefecture of
Greece with Albania and Italy. The
distance separating Corfu from Albania are so small that some seem clear nights
you can see the lights of the Albanian coastal cities.
Most of the inhabitants engaged in agriculture. Mainly grown extensively olives,
grapes, fruit and potatoes. Also grown with tremendous export potential various
citrus fruits. Livestock production on the island comes from products made by
the cows, goats and sheep. Also developed are Beekeeping and poultry. The
industrial development of the county constantly increases over time. There are
olive plants, textiles, paper, dairy, pasta industry and shipbuilding.
The tourism industry is the largest. Several craftsmen produce many souvenir
sometimes distinguished by elegant construction. With the current trend of
increased flow of tourists all kind of tourism services like hotels, bars,
restaurants , plays an important role in the economic life of the island and the
county in general.
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