Lefkada

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Lefkada, or Lefkas (Greek: Modern: Λευκάδα, Ancient/Katharevousa: -as) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge, as well as the island's capital city. The city of Lefkada, or Lefkas Town, is at the north of the island, approximately 20 minutes by automobile away from Preveza Airport.

Lefkada Town(population: ca. 10,000), has a pedestrianised main street, a marina, and bus access to Athens.

The east coast section of the island has small resorts of Lefkada, Nikiana and Perigiali, all north of the largest resort on the island - Nidri. It is set in a sheltered location with views across to Skorpios - owned by Aristotle Onassis, Meganissi and other small islands, as well as the Greek mainland. The main coastal road from Lefkada to Vasiliki runs through the town, although a bypass is being built. There are regular car ferries to Kefalonia, Ithaca and Meganissi.

20km south of Nidri is the resort of Vasiliki - a windsurfing center. There are ferries here to Kefalonia and Ithaca.

South of Vasiliki is Cape Lefkatas, where renowned Greek female poet Sappho allegedly leapt to her death from the 100 foot (30m) high cliffs. There are spectacular views across to Ithaca and Kefalonia, however the 16km (10 mile) unpaved road is enough to put off all but the most determined.

The West coast, facing the great expanse of the Mediterranean, has the hyped beach of Porto Katsiki. To the North, there are numerous beaches, with pale golden sand and powerful waves - a sharp contrast to the more popular East Coast.

Folklore has it that once upon a time, thousands of years ago, Lefkada was attached to mainland Greece. Some say the Leleges, its first inhabitants, tramsformed into an island, others that the Corinthians dug a trench in its isthmus.

On August 14 2003, the island was rocked by a powerful earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale, 30km (20m) off the west coast. There were some reports of minor injuries and damage. Roads were cut off by mudslides, especially the road linking the southern part of Lefkada. About a thousand vehicles left the island. The quake was felt in nearby Corfu, Kefalonia, and as far away as Athens.

Climate

Its climate for much of the island has hot summers and cool winters expecially in the mountains.

Transportation

• Greece Interstate 42
• Two other roads

Municipalities and communities

See also: List of settlements in the Lefkada prefecture

Notable persons

(in chronological order)

• Aristotelis Valaoritis (1824 - 1879)
• Dimitrios Golemis, a historic Greek athlete
• Angelos Sikelianos (March 28, 1884 in Lefkada - June 19, 1951 in (Athens)

External links:

(in Greek and English)

• http://www.lefkada.com
• E-lefkas
• Lefkada island guide
• Homepage of the city of Lefkas (in Greek)
• Lefkas (Geocities)
• greek-islands.net on Lefkada
• Lefkada
• Lefkada homepage
• [http:/www.greekisland.co.uk/lefkas/lefkas.htm/ Lefkas Island]
• http://www.lefkada.net
• http://www.lefkas.net
• Lefkada city
• Information on Lefkada
• http://hellas.teipir.gr/prefectures/english/Lefkada/Lefkadas.htm
• Monuments of Lefkada
• http://www.visit-ionianislands.com/s_lefkada.htm (in Greek)
• The Archaeological Museum of Lefkada (in Greek)

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