Oinousses
Encyclopedia
Oinousses alternative forms: Aignoussa (Αιγνούσα) or Egnoussa(Εγνούσα) is a barren cluster of 1 larger and 8 smaller islands some 2 km off the north-east coast of the Greek
island of Chios
and 8 km west of Turkey
. Administratively the islands form a municipality within the Chios peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery
. The principal town of the islands and seat of the municipality is also called Oinousses. Oinousses has a small resident population, living primarily in the islands' town of Oinoússes (pop. 999), and a recently built monastery. The town is centred around a square (plateia
) and a small port; it includes a school, several churches, a Naval high school and a maritime museum. The only other populated settlements are Kástron (pop. 32) and Aspalathrókampos (19).
The vast majority of the workforce of the island is engaged in seafaring, fishing and goat-herding.
The islands are noted as the origin of an unusual cluster of successful ship-owning families: the Lemos, Pateras, Hadjipateras, Kollakis and Lyras families. Whilst most of the families now live elsewhere most of the year, the islands and town are well maintained with a strong naval connection. Oinoussians abroad are noted for their successful entrepreneurial skills in the industrial transportation industry. Although the number of Oinoussian ship operating companies has fallen since their heyday in the 1960s they still maintain a formidable position in the industrial transportation industry.
Old maps have also show the islands under the name of Spalmadores, while the Ottomans referred to them as Kujun-Adassi.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
island of Chios
Chios
Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
and 8 km west of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Administratively the islands form a municipality within the Chios peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery
Peripheries of Greece
The current official regional administrative divisions of Greece were instituted in 1987. Although best translated into English as "regions", the transcription peripheries is sometimes used, perhaps to distinguish them from the traditional regions which they replaced. The English word 'periphery'...
. The principal town of the islands and seat of the municipality is also called Oinousses. Oinousses has a small resident population, living primarily in the islands' town of Oinoússes (pop. 999), and a recently built monastery. The town is centred around a square (plateia
Plateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
) and a small port; it includes a school, several churches, a Naval high school and a maritime museum. The only other populated settlements are Kástron (pop. 32) and Aspalathrókampos (19).
The vast majority of the workforce of the island is engaged in seafaring, fishing and goat-herding.
The islands are noted as the origin of an unusual cluster of successful ship-owning families: the Lemos, Pateras, Hadjipateras, Kollakis and Lyras families. Whilst most of the families now live elsewhere most of the year, the islands and town are well maintained with a strong naval connection. Oinoussians abroad are noted for their successful entrepreneurial skills in the industrial transportation industry. Although the number of Oinoussian ship operating companies has fallen since their heyday in the 1960s they still maintain a formidable position in the industrial transportation industry.
Old maps have also show the islands under the name of Spalmadores, while the Ottomans referred to them as Kujun-Adassi.
Historical population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 705 |
| 1991 | 636 |
| 2001 | 1,050 |
See also
- Battle of the Oinousses Islands in 1695 between the Ottoman EmpireOttoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
and the Republic of VeniceRepublic of VeniceThe Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in... - List of settlements in the Chios prefecture