Lefkada

From ArticleWorld

Lefkada is a beautiful Greek island located in the Ionian Sea and is connected to the main island of Greece with the help of a floating bridge. The capital of Lefkada is Lefkada city, situated on the northern tip of the island. Lefkada has a population of 22, 879 (2005) and an area of 356 sq.km. Its density of population is 64.3/ sq. km. and the climate for much of the island is hot summers and cool winters especially in the mountains.

History

Lefkada or Lefkadia owes its name to the steep white cliffs on its southernmost cape, Lefkata. It is said that this is where the poetess Sappho took her own life because Phaon rejected her love for him. The first traces of life on the island date back to 8000 B.C. Important archaeological remains bear witness to a unique culture and Lefkada appears to be an important town both in terms of cultural development and as a site of historical battles. In fact it is also a part of Greek mythology with Aphrodite and Odysseus being linked to the island.

Allegedly, until the 7th Century BC, Lefkada was a peninsula of the western coast of Greece but the Corinthians cut the isthmus and separated it from the opposite shore. Lefkada was under Turkish rule as well as Venetian rule and then also fell into the hands of the French. The British materialized in 1810. but the Lefkadians fought with all their might in the Greek War of Independence of 1821. The island was unified with Greece in 1864 along with the rest of the Ionian Islands.

Culture and recreation

Lefkada is the first area of Greece with a large cultural potential. But, in Lefkada night life is a very important scenario and there are many tourists who come to Lefkada only to party and have a great time. The night clubs in Lefkada are packed every single evening. There is a more sedative style of entertainment available in the bars in Lefkada which are well known for their famous Greek Coffee.