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Salamis Island

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Salamis is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf.

Salamina Map
Salamina Map

It sits just west of the center of Athens. You can reach the island by taking a ferry from Piraeus or Perama.

View of Salamina
View of Salamina

The main port is Paloukia, which is the second largest passenger port in Greece. The island has a large area of 38 square kilometers. Much of the land is rocky and mountainous. The highest point is a place called Mavrovouni.

View of Salamina
View of Salamina

In the south, you can find a pine forest. This forest is quite special for this part of Greece.

The island has many different types of land. Some areas are used for farming by people living inland. Most people work near the sea in jobs like fishing or running ferries.

View of Salamina
View of Salamina

There are also busy shipyards on the north side of the Kynosoura peninsula. In the north-east, the port of Paloukia is a very busy place.

Salamis Naval Base with LSTs and LSMs 1979
Salamis Naval Base with LSTs and LSMs 1979

This area is also home to the Salamis Naval Base. This is the main headquarters for the Hellenic Navy. The island has a hot climate with very hot summers. The winters stay mild and are not too cold.

Salamis has a very long and famous history.

Salamis 339-318 BC
Salamis 339-318 BC

In 480 BC, a great sea battle happened here. This was the Battle of Salamis between the Greeks and the Persian Empire. The Greek fleet was led by a man named Themistocles.

Ancient Salamis city
Ancient Salamis city

Legend says the hero Ajax was born on this island. Some stories even say the writer Euripides was born on the day of the battle. In the 13th century, people called the island Koulouri because of its round shape.

Ancient Salamis city
Ancient Salamis city

An old marble counting board from about 300 BC was even found here.

Many different towns and villages make up the island.

View of Salamina
View of Salamina

The main city is Salamina, where about 25,888 people lived in 2011. Aianteio is the second largest town and is named after Ajax.

Aianteio Beach
Aianteio Beach

There are also small, quiet places like Peristeria. The name Peristeria comes from the word for dove.

The Stone Lighthouse, 1901, Peristeria
The Stone Lighthouse, 1901, Peristeria

Other villages include Vasilika, which means "Royal," and the small community of Batsi.

Batsi beach in Salamina
Batsi beach in Salamina

The island is divided into two main municipal units. These are Salamina and Ampelakia.

Today, Salamis is a popular place for people from Athens to visit.

Batsi beach in Salamina
Batsi beach in Salamina

While only about 31,000 people live there all year, the population grows to 300,000 in the summer.

Aianteio Beach
Aianteio Beach

Visitors come to enjoy many lovely swimming beaches. You can find beaches at Aianteio, Maroudi, and Perania.

Aianteio Beach
Aianteio Beach

There are many cafes, bars, and tavernas for people to enjoy. Some areas like Peristeria are known for being very clean and calm.

The Stone Lighthouse, 1901, Peristeria
The Stone Lighthouse, 1901, Peristeria

The island is a mix of busy working ports and peaceful holiday spots.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Salamis 339-318 BC.jpg
Salamis 339-318 BC.jpg
File:Salamina Map.png
Salamina Map.png
File:Salamis Naval Base with LSTs and LSMs 1979.jpg
Salamis Naval Base with LSTs and LSMs 1979.jpg
File:Batsi beach in Salamina.jpg
Batsi beach in Salamina.jpg
File:The Stone Lighthouse, 1901, Peristeria.jpg
The Stone Lighthouse, 1901, Peristeria.jpg
File:View of Salamina.jpg
View of Salamina.jpg
File:Aianteio Beach.jpg
Aianteio Beach.jpg
File:Ancient Salamis city.jpg
Ancient Salamis city.jpg
File:Folklore Museum & Salamina Municipal Library..jpg
Folklore Museum & Salamina Municipal Library..jpg
File:Kanakia.jpg
Kanakia.jpg
File:FRRR5555666.jpg
FRRR5555666.jpg
File:Circular funerary in Kolones.jpg
Circular funerary in Kolones.jpg
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