Halki (Greece)

"Chalki" redirects here. For other places with the same name, see Chalki (disambiguation).
Halki (or Chalki)
Χάλκη

The port of Emporio
Halki (or Chalki)

Coordinates: 36°14′N 27°34′E / 36.233°N 27.567°E / 36.233; 27.567Coordinates: 36°14′N 27°34′E / 36.233°N 27.567°E / 36.233; 27.567
Country Greece
Administrative region South Aegean
Regional unit Rhodes
Area
  Municipality 37.04 km2 (14.30 sq mi)
Highest elevation 601 m (1,972 ft)
Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
  Municipality 478
  Municipality density 13/km2 (33/sq mi)
Community
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 851 10
Area code(s) 22460
Vehicle registration ΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ
Website www.dimoschalkis.gr

Halki (Greek: Χάλκη; alternatively Chalce or Chalki) is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea, some 6 km (4 mi) west of Rhodes. With the area of 28 km2 (11 sq mi), it is the smallest inhabited island of Dodecanese. It is part of the Rhodes regional unit.[2] It has permanent population of 330 (increased during the summer months), concentrated in the only village Emborio. The 2011 census showed a population of 478 inhabitants. The community is divided in two parts, Chorio (also spelled Horio - the village) Χωριό and Emporio Εμποριό (the market).

History

The island supported a much larger population but following emigration in the mid-20th century Chorio was almost completely abandoned. A sizable group of the residents moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida, establishing the Greek-American community there that continues to this day. A ruined medieval castle of the Knights of St. John overlooks the old town and the chapel contains some of the original frescoes.

List of Halki rulers:

Roman Empire 27 BC - 395
Byzantine Empire 395 - 7th century
Arabs 7th century - 825
Byzantine Empire 825 - 1204
Venice 1204 -
Genoa - 1523
Ottoman Empire 1523 - 1912
Italy 1912–1948
Greece 1948

Municipality

The Municipality of Chalki includes several uninhabited offshore islands, the largest of which is Alimia to the northeast, and has a total land area of 37.043 square kilometres (14.302 sq mi). The island's primary industry is tourism, although fishing is also substantial. There is virtually no natural water supply on the island and rainfall is collected in large cisterns. Drinking water is brought in from Rhodes but there can be shortages during the summer months with the increased population. As of 2014 there is a desalination plant on the island and the water boat no longer comes every few days. However, bottled water still arrives.

People

Dimitris Kremastinos (born 1942), former Greek Minister of Health (1993 - 1996)

Further reading

References

  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)

External links

Media related to Halki at Wikimedia Commons


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