Donoussa
Δονούσα
Municipal unit
Donoussa is located in Greece
Donoussa
Donoussa
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°06′0″N 25°48′59″E / 37.10000°N 25.81639°E / 37.10000; 25.81639
CountryGreece
Administrative regionSouth Aegean
Regional unitNaxos
MunicipalityNaxos and Lesser Cyclades
Area
 • Municipal unit13.750 km2 (5.309 sq mi)
Highest elevation
385 m (1,263 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
213
 • Municipal unit density15/km2 (40/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
843 00
Area code(s)22850
Vehicle registrationEM
Websitewww.donoussa.gr

Donousa (Greek: Δονούσα, also Δενούσα Denousa), and sometimes spelled Donoussa, is an island and a former community in the Cyclades, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Naxos and Lesser Cyclades, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] Donousa is the easternmost island of the Lesser Cyclades.

Geography

Donoussa is located 16 km (10 mi) east of the island of Naxos and about 25 km (16 mi) north of Amorgos. Its area is 13.75 square kilometres (5.31 sq mi)[3] and its highest point is 385 metres (1,263 ft). Its population is 213 inhabitants (2021 census), most of which live in the main settlement Donousa (also Stavros). Other villages include Mersini (on the southeastern coast), Kalotaritissa (near its northern coastline) and Charavgi (in the south).

Climate

According to the station of National Observatory of Athens, Donoussa has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) with mild winters and hot summers. Donousa has an average annual temperature of around 19.2°C and an average annual precipitation of 260.2 mm (2012-2018).[4][5]

History

Tracing all the way back to ancient Greek mythology in the prehistoric times, Dionysus, the god of winemaking and wine, took Ariadne from Naxos to hide her from Theseus.[6] There is also evidence of inhabitation on Donousa during the Early Cycladic period, around 3,000 BC.[6]

The island during the Roman times, was additionally considered to be the place where exiles were deported. Later, it became the favourite hideout spot of Mediterranean pirates.[7] Throughout time, the island was ruled by various civilisations including the Venetians and Turks.[6]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1928 235—    
1946 250+0.34%
1981 116−2.17%
1991 111−0.44%
2001 163+3.92%
2011 167+0.24%
2021 213+2.46%

Towns

Agios Stavros is the main port and capital of Donoussa. When visiting the Agios Stavros port and town, one will find a variety of taverns, cafes, bakeries, mini markets, rooms for rental and other touristic facilities.[7]

Other towns and villages on the island include Kalotaritissa, Haravgi and Mersini.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  3. ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
  4. ^ "Monthly Bulletins". www.meteo.gr.
  5. ^ Annual climatological summary Archived 21 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c "History of Donoussa island | Greeka". Greekacom. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  7. ^ a b "Donousa Greece | Greece.com". www.greece.com. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  8. ^ "Donousa". VisitGreece. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
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