Lesbos

Lesbos (Greek: ?????? - Lésvos; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is an island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea. It is the third largest Greek island and the seventh largest in the Mediterranean. It has an area of 630 square miles with 230 miles of coastline. Its population is approximately 108,000 about a third of which live in the capital city, Mytilene, located in the southeastern part of the island. The remaining population is distributed in small towns and villages. The largest towns are Kalloni, Plomari, Ayassos, Eressos, and Molyvos, the ancient Methymna. Mytilene was founded ca 1050 BCE by the family Penthilides who arrived from Thessaly in mainland Greece and ruled the city until the popular revolt (590-580 BCE) led by Pittacus.

Geography

The island is mountainous; two peaks Lepetymnos (3,176 feet) and Olympos of similar height dominate its northern and central sections. The island?s volcanic origin is manifested in several hot springs. Two almost land-locked gulfs penetrate the interior so that no part of it is farther than a few miles from the sea. The island is verdant, aptly named the Emerald Island, with a variety of flora that belies its size. Olive trees, eleven million of them, cover 40% of the island together with other fruit trees. Forests of pine and some oak occupy 20%, and the remainder is scrub, grassland and urban. In the western part of the island is the world?s second largest petrified forest of Sequoia trees.

Related Topics:
Lepetymnos - Olympos

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Its economy is essentially agricultural. The cultivation of the olive tree for olive oil is the main source of income for most towns and villages. Tourism in Mytilene, encouraged by its international airport, and the coastal towns of Plomari, Molyvos, and Eressos contribute substantially to the economy of the island. Fishing and the manufacture of soap and ouzo, the Greek national liquor, are the remaining sources of income.

Related Topics:
Plomari - Molyvos - Eressos - Ouzo

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