Fournoi Korseon

Fournoi Korseon (Greek: Φούρνοι Κορσέων), more commonly simply Fournoi (Greek: Φούρνοι), anciently known as Corsiae or Korsiai (Ancient Greek: Κορσίαι, Corseae or Korseai (Κορσεαί),[2] and Corsia or Korsia (Κορσία),[3] form a complex or archipelago of small Greek islands that lie between Ikaria, Samos and Patmos in Ikaria regional unit, North Aegean region. The two largest islands of the complex, the main isle of Fournoi 31 square kilometres (12 square miles) and the isle of Thymaina 10 square kilometres (3.9 square miles), are inhabited, as is Agios Minas Island 2.3 square kilometres (0.9 square miles) to the east. The municipality has an area of 45.247 km2.[4] On the main isle Fournoi (town) is the largest settlement and then Chrysomilia in the north the second largest (and third largest overall, after Thymaina). Fournoi (town) proper is the main ferry harbour, with ferries also landing on Thymaina.

Not to be confused with Phourni.
Fournoi Korseon

Φούρνοι Κορσέων
The main village
Fournoi Korseon
Location within the region
Coordinates: 37°34′N 26°30′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionNorth Aegean
Regional unitIkaria
Area
 • Municipality45.247 km2 (17.470 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipality
1,459
 • Municipality density32/km2 (84/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
833 xx
Area code(s)22750
Vehicle registrationMO
Websitewww.fournikorseon.gr
Looking from Fourni Island to Thymaina and Icaria
Overview

Many of the inhabitants are fishermen, although during the summer season the population is also occupied in tourist activities, mostly room rentals and catering. On the main island are a number of beaches such as Vlychada, Vitsilia, Petrokopio, Elidaki, and Bali.

The archipelago is famous for being a hub of the Ancient World, which resulted in 53 shipwrecks found in the area until 2017.[5] Another five shipwrecks were found in 2018, raising the total number to 58.[6] Those wrecks date back from 4th century BC to 19th century AD.[7]

Climate

The climate is arid and hot during summers. Winters are rather mild with average rainfall but constant strong archipelagic winds prevail.

Communication

Communication is often interrupted during the winter period (mostly from November to April) due to bad weather, mainly strong winds. The rest of the year regular communication with the islands of Ikaria and Samos (by boat only) is available. Since 2008 a ferry coming from Samos reaches Athens stopping also in Icaria and Paros.

Archaeology

Archaeologist discovered a ship graveyard off the coast of the Fourni Islands, with 53 ships. It contains wrecks dating from the 4th century BC through the 19th century AD. In 2018, archaeologists discovered five additional vessels, bringing the total number of ships found there to 58. The newly discovered ships rest in shallow waters and show signs of damage from fishing nets and plunderers, the archaeological team also found cargoes of amphoras that carried wine, oil, and other foods, and a load of terracotta lamps dating to the 2nd century AD. The lamps were made in Corinthian workshops, and bear the names of the artisans who crafted them, Octavius and Lucius.[8]

Settlements and islands

The main island of Fournoi has a population of 1,320 (as of the 2011 census), or over 90 percent of the municipality's population. The only other inhabited islands are Agios Minas, and Thymaina.

Settlement or PlacePopulationIsland
Agios Minas3Agios Minas Island
Alatonisi0Alatonisi Island
Anthropofas0Anthropofas Island
Agios Ioannis Thermastis1Fournoi Island
Bali6Fournoi Island
Chrysomilea104Fournoi Island
Dafnolies2Fournoi Island
Fournoi1,120Fournoi Island
Kamari14Fournoi Island
Kampi Fournon15Fournoi Island
Kampi Chrysomileas50Fournoi Island
Kerameidou7Fournoi Island
Plagia1Fournoi Island
Kisiria0Kisiria Island
Makronisi0Makronisi Island
Mikros Anthropofas0Mikros Anthropofas Island
Petrokaravo0Petrokaravo Island
Plaka0Plaka Island
Plakaki0Plakaki Island
Strongylo0Strongylo Island
Thymaina136Thymaina Island
Thymainaki0Thymainaki Island

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. s.v.
  3. Strabo. Geographica. 14.1.13. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  4. "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.
  5. "Shipwrecks Identify Fournoi as Significant Hub of Ancient World". gtp. 14 July 2017.
  6. "Greece: Ancient wrecks, pottery found at ships' 'graveyard'". AP News. 15 October 2018.
  7. "Five Shipwrecks Found Near Greece's Fourni Islands". Archaeology. 16 October 2018.
  8. Five Shipwrecks Found Near Greece’s Fourni Islands
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