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See links below for other web sites on this Island.
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 Location |
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Corfu is the second largest island after Kefelonia. It is in the North Ionian Sea and covers 592 sq km and is 217km in length.
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 Population |
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It is one of the most densely populated areas of Greece and according to the latest census the population of Corfu totaled approximately 113.479 inhabitants. There are also a lot of refugees living on this island, mainly from Albania, as there is such a short distance between Albania & Corfu.
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 History |
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The island took its name from the Nymph Kerkira, daughter of the river Asopou. According to legend Posidon fell in love with her, kidnapped her and took her to Corfu. From their union was born Feakas, the first king of the island, and the island received its second name Feakia. Corfu began its history with the Corinthian political fugitives who occupied the island; they established the Corinthian colony and influenced the island with their own habits, religion and life-style. Over the next few years Corfu fell into Roman, Venetian, French, Russian in alliance with Turkey and English domination until finally the island united with Greece on 1864.
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 Religion |
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This topic is not island-specific. It applies to the nation of Greece.
Orthodox Christianity is the recognized dominant religion of Greece and it is legally protected by the state. This has caused legal discrimination against non-Orthodox Churches, and although the constitution of 1975 removed the power of most of the old laws against Protestants, problems still exist today. There is a lot of fear towards anything outside of the Orthodox Church, especially on the islands. However, repeated rulings of the European Court of Justice in favour of religious minorities in cases of discrimination have led to a relative increase of the freedoms that these religious minorities now enjoy.
Ancient Worship
In the ancient times the Goddess Artemis and the God Dionysus were worshiped on this island.
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 Saints |
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Most of the saints are honored on this island and the Orthodox Church is highly respected.
The patron saint of the island is Saint Spiridonas.
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 Prayer |
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-For wisdom and Gods power for the believers on this island.
-That the outreach will enable the gospel of salvation to be shared
-That the people on the island will realize their need for God and their eyes will be opened to the truth and love of God through reading the Bible for themselves.
-That God will work in the lives of all the God-fearing religious people already living on this island, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
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 Miscellaneous |
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Corfu is one of the nicest and most popular places for tourists in Greece. The main town in Corfu has original Venetian, French and British – Georgian buildings, surround by a fortress, partially destroyed by the British when they left the island in 1860.
The economy of Corfu is based basically on tourism, but also in small industries and services which depend on tourism. The farming industry is not big, but hey produce mainly olive, vine, fruits, vegetables and a very unique liqueur, its one of a kind in Greece.
The archeological museum of Corfu is famous for the ancient sculptures, it contains sculptures from the temple of Artemis (580b.c.) as well as the collection of Classics and Romaic sculptures which were found in different areas of the island.
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 Celebrations |
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The celebrations on the islands usually revolve around the Saints, and there is a big celebration at Easter in the Orthodox Church.
On the 11th of August: there is a feast, which was established after the last Venetian Turkish war (1714-1718).
After the first Turkish attack on the island, gale force winds destroyed the entire Turkish fleet. The inhabitant’s attribute this beneficial disaster to the interference of Patron Saint Spiridonas and so every year on the 11th of August they hold a liturgy in remembrance of this event.
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 Resources |
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www.greektravel.com
www.in2greece.com
http://www.corfuxenos.gr/
http://www.corfu.gr/enmain.htm
www.harrys-60-greek-islands-guide.com
www.worldtravelgate.org
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