Samos
Population: 45,050 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Samos is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos, and off the coast of western Turkey, from which it is separated by the narrow Mycale Strait. The area of the island is 477.395 km2 (184.3 sq mi). Samos is dominated by two large mountains, Ampelos (1095m) in the island’s centre and Mt. Kerkis (1,434m). Samos also has several relatively large plains where vineyards grow.
The economy mainly depends on agriculture and tourism. The main products include grapes, honey, olives, olive oil, citrus fruit, dried figs, almonds and flowers, and the Muscat grape used for producing its renowned wine.
The island’s capital is Vathi and there are many picturesque seaside villages.
The Tunnel of Eupalinus, which used to be the aqueduct of Ancient Samos and was among the most outstanding technological achievements of its time.
A large migrant camp was developed on the island at the site of a Greek military camp, to cope with the influx of migrants crossing the strait between the island and the Turkish mainland. It is estimated that in April 2020 the Vathy camp held 6,800 migrants, ten times the number it was initially designed for.
On October 30 2020, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck offshore near the island, triggering a tsunami. Samos recorded two deaths with some churches and buildings damaged, however, neighbouring Turkey suffered 117 deaths.
The island has its own International Airport “Aristarchos”.
Ferries connect to, the port of Piraeus in Athens, Syros, Mykonos, Ikaria, Fourni and Chios, and on a daily basis for Kusadasi, Turkey.
The Island & Its History
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In ancient times, Samos was wealthy and powerful, known for its vineyards and wine. It is also the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, the first known individual to suggest that the Earth revolves around the sun.
In the 6th century, BC Samos was ruled by the famous tyrant Polycrates. During his reign, two working groups under the lead of the engineer Eupalinos dug a tunnel through Mount Kastro to build an aqueduct to supply the capital of Samos with fresh water. Eupalinos’ tunnel is particularly notable because it is the second earliest tunnel in history to be dug methodically from both ends. With a length of over 1 km (0.6 mi), this subterranean aqueduct is now regarded as a masterpiece of ancient engineering.
Samos came under Ottoman rule around 1475 at which time the island was practically abandoned due to the effects of piracy and the plague. The island remained desolate for almost a full century before the Ottoman authorities, by now in secure control of the Aegean, undertook a serious effort to repopulate the island.
The island was re-united with Greece in 1913. Although the Greek Navy had quickly captured other Aegean islands, Samos was initially left to its status quo, out of a desire not to upset the Italians in the nearby Dodecanese.
Prayer Points
- The people on the island will realize their need for God and their eyes will be opened to the truth and love of God through reading the Bible for themselves.
- The Lord will work in the lives of all the God-fearing religious people already living on this island, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
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