Othonoi
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Othonoi Οθωνοί |
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Othoni island
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 Othonoi
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Location within the regional unit
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| Coordinates: 39°51′N 19°24′E / 39.850°N 19.400°ECoordinates: 39°51′N 19°24′E / 39.850°N 19.400°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Ionian Islands |
| Regional unit | Corfu |
| Municipality |
 Corfu
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| Districts | >20 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Theodoros Loukanaris (deputy mayor of Othoni) |
| • Municipal unit | 10.078 km2 (3.891 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 393 m (1,289 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipal unit | 392 |
| • Municipal unit density | 39/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 49100 |
| Area code(s) | +30 26630 |
| Vehicle registration | KY |
| Website | [1] |
Othonoi or Othoni (Greek: Οθωνοί, Italian: Fanò or Othoni) is a Greek island and the westernmost point of Greece. It is a former community of the Ionian Islands. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality of Corfu, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 10.078 km2. It is located northwest of Corfu. Population 392 (2011). It is the biggest of the Diapontia Islands and it is divided into two regions (Ano Panta - Kato Panta). In the 19th century the island was the capital of the Diapontia Islands municipality, which also included nearby islands of Ereikoussa, Mathraki, islets and rocks of Diakopo, Diaplo, Karavi, Kastrino, Leipso, Ostrako, Plaka, Plateia and Tracheia. Othoni is about 47 n.miles from Santa Maria di Leuca cape, Italy.
The first name according to ancient texts (Hesychius, 3rd cent. BC) was "Othronos" (Οθρονός), "Othronoi" (Οθρωνοί) and by Procopius seams to be "Othoni" (Οθωνή) (6th c.). According to Pliny (1st cent.) was "Thoronos" (Θόρονος). Other names were "Fidonisi" (Snake island) because of the many snakes that are said to have invaded the island, and "Fano" (Lamp) which is used in international charters and by the Italians because of the lighthouse that it is on the island. There are also views that came from the word "screen" (Greek:Οθόνη) as "Othones" seems that the local seamen call the sails of their sailing boats.
At the beginning of the second millennium, the island was conquered alternatively Franks (the 11th century) and the Venetians (12th century), often attacked by pirates of Barbary and Algeria. Since the end of 1383 until 1386 the domination of Corfu brought by Charles III of Naples. In his letter he stated that on April 19, 1383 granted the usufruct of Othoni Ereikoussa, Mathraki, Diapolo and Vido, the knight Theodore Skaliti as fief. In 1537, the Turkish fleet under the command of Greek origin pirate and admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa massacred the inhabitants of Othoni island after a long battle. In Stavros district at an altitude of 217 m. a white stone cross exists until today to commemorate that event.
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Wikipedia