Chalki

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Administrative Region : South Aegean
Regional unit : Rhodos

Halki (Greek: Χάλκη; alternatively Chalce or Chalki) is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea, some 6 km (4 mi) west of Rhodes. With the area of 28 km² (11 sq mi), it is the smallest inhabited island of Dodecanese. It is part of the Rhodes peripheral unit.[1] It has permanent population of 330 (increased during the summer months), concentrated in the only village Emborio. The 2001 census showed a population of 313 inhabitants. The community is divided in two parts, Chorio (also spelled Horio) and Emporio (the port).

History

The island supported a much larger population but following emigration in the mid twentieth century Chorio was almost completely abandoned. A sizable group of the residents moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida, establishing the Greek-American community there that continues to this day. A ruined medieval castle of the Knights of St. John overlooks the old town and the chapel contains some of the original frescoes.

List of Halki rulers:
Roman Empire 27 BC - 395
Byzantine Empire 395 - 7th century
Arabs 7th century - 825
Byzantine Empire 825 - 1204
Venice 1204 -
Genoa - 1523
Ottoman Empire 1523 - 1912
Italy 1912 - 1948
Greece 1948
Municipality

The Municipality of Chalki includes several uninhabited offshore islands, the largest of which is Alimia to the northeast, and has a total land area of 37.043 km². The island's primary industry is tourism, although fishing is also substantial. There is virtually no natural water supply on the island and rainfall is collected in large cisterns. Drinking water is brought in from Rhodes but there can be shortages during the summer months with the increased population.
References

^ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)

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