Poros Πόρος |
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View of Poros
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Coordinates: 37°31′N 23°29′E / 37.517°N 23.483°ECoordinates: 37°31′N 23°29′E / 37.517°N 23.483°E | |
Country | Greece |
Administrative region | Attica |
Regional unit | Islands |
Government | |
• Mayor | Ioannis Dimitriadis (Ind.) |
Area | |
• Municipality | 49.582 km2 (19.144 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Municipality | 3,993 |
• Municipality density | 81/km2 (210/sq mi) |
Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
• Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
Postal code | 180 20 |
Area code(s) | 22980 |
Vehicle registration | YI, YK, YM, YN |
Website | www.poros.gr |
Poros (Greek: Πόρος) is a small Greek island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, about 58 km (36 mi) (31 nautical miles) south from Piraeus and separated from the Peloponnese by a 200 m (656 ft) wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait. Its surface area is about 31 square kilometres (12 sq mi) and it has 3,780 inhabitants. The ancient name of Poros was Pogon. Like other ports in the Saronic, it is a popular weekend destination for Athenian travellers.
Poros consists of two islands: Sphairia (Greek: Σφαιρία, pronounced [sfeˈria]), the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where today's city is located, and Kalaureia (Greek: Καλαυρία, [kalavˈria]), also Kalavria or Calauria (meaning 'gentle breeze'), the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over a narrow strait.
Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short holidays.
Though possessing no airport, Poros is easily accessible from Athens via ferry or hydrofoil. One can reach the island by car or bus from the adjacent mainland at Galatas.
There is local bus service on the island from Poros harbor to the nearby towns of Neorio and Monastiri.
The land area of the municipality (which includes the islands and part of the adjacent Peloponnese coast) is 49.582 square kilometres (19.144 sq mi). The landscape is very hilly and mountainous. The highest peak is the Vigla (358 m) in the west-central part. Following the island's topography and geology, small creeks and seasonal streams flow through steep valleys of the southern and northeastern part. The western and northern part of the island feature smooth hills and shallow valleys. Sandy beaches are restricted to the southern shore of the island, except for a bay in the northern part called Vayionia.