Karpathos
Population: 6,226 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Karpathos is the second largest island in the Dodecanese, with an area of 301 sq. km and a coastline of 160 km. It lies between Rhodes and Crete and has a beautiful, wild landscape with wonderful beaches. It is mountainous in the north and fertile in the south.
The population can more than double in the summer months as many expatriates return to the island for their vacation with their families, combined with tourists there can easily be 20,000 people in the summer.
The people on Karpathos are employed chiefly in farming, stockbreeding and fishing, while in the summer months a portion of the population is involved in the tourist trade.
Traditions are well kept on Karpathos, especially in Olympos. This village was until recently completely isolated – standing on the inaccessible mountains in the northern part of the island – a village where, as they say, time had stood still. Its history goes back at least five centuries, safe from pirates in its lofty position, the traditional architecture of the houses has remained unaltered. The manner, the costumes, the songs, the way of life have remained the same. Even the language has changed only very little. In other words, the whole village is kind of a museum.
There is a small airport which has international flights in the summer and domestic flights all year around.
Ferries to Athens are three times a week and take 18 to 21 hours.
The Island & Its History
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Karpathos is relatively near Crete, and it would seem that the island was first inhabited by the Minoans. They were followed later by the Dorians, who enjoyed great prosperity in the 5th century BC.
This was followed by Roman domination, and then the long Byzantine period, during which the island was repeatedly raided by pirates.
In 1206 it passed into the hands of Leo Gavalas, and subsequently into those of the Genoese, the Knights of Rhodes and the Venetians. The Turks took Karpathos in 1538 and held it for almost four centuries.
The island took part in the uprising against the Turks of 1821 and managed to gain its independence for seven years. In 1832 it again came into the hands of the Turks, until 1912, when it was taken by the Italians. Karpathos even found itself ruled by the Germans for a few years after World War II.
The union of Karpathos with the Greek state finally came in 1948.
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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