Agios Georgios (island)
Agios Georgios (Greek: Άγιος Γεώργιος) or San Giorgio is a Greek uninhabited island in the entry of Saronic Gulf. It’s the largest uninhabited island of the Saronic Islands with an area of 4.3 km2.[1]
Native name: Άγιος Γεώργιος | |
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Agios Georgios | |
Geography | |
Coordinates | 37°28′26″N 23°55′34″E |
Archipelago | Saronic Islands |
Area | 4.3 km2 (1.7 sq mi) |
Administration | |
Greece | |
Region | Attica |
Regional unit | Islands |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 (2011) |
History
In antiquity the island was named Belbina (Ancient Greek: Βέλβινα) and it is mentioned by Herodotus in a dialogue between Themistocles and his political opponent Timodemos from Afidnes.[2] There was also a town of the same name on the island. Though some scholars have proposed that Agios Georgios should be identified as the ancient Psyttaleia which was involved in the Battle of Salamis, the consensus remains with the island that has long been known as Lipsokoutali, now renamed Psyttaleia.[3]
Modern times
In 2016 a 73 MW wind farm was built on the island by Terna Energy, and delivers about 250 GWh electricity per year to Athens.[1][4][5] Administratively, the island has belonged to the municipality of Hydra since 1834. In recent years, the municipality of Lavreotiki challenged the ownership of the island (and its associated wind farm revenues), however a 2017 legal judgement reaffirmed Hydra's ownership.[6]
References
- "Το πρώτο αιολικό πάρκο σε βραχονησίδα". kathimerini.gr. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- "Timodèmos d'Aphidna". persee.fr. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- Paul W. Wallace, "Psyttaleia and the Trophies of the Battle of Salamis", American Journal of Archaeology 73:3:293–303 (July 1969) JSTOR 503511 doi:10.2307/503511
- "Island Life". www.windpowermonthly.com. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- TERNA ENERGY - St. George Wind Park (video). 16 August 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- "Διοικητική υπαγωγή της νήσου Άγιος Γεώργιος στα όρια συγκεκριμένου Δήμου". www.nsk.gr (in Greek). Νομικό Συμβούλιο του Κράτους. Retrieved 2018-05-01.