Oinousses

Oinousses
Οινούσσες

Oinousses main settlement
Oinousses

Coordinates: 38°31′N 26°13′E / 38.517°N 26.217°ECoordinates: 38°31′N 26°13′E / 38.517°N 26.217°E
Country Greece
Administrative region North Aegean
Regional unit Chios
Area
 • Municipality 17.427 km2 (6.729 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Municipality 826
 • Municipality density 47/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 821 01
Area code(s) 22710
Vehicle registration ΧΙ

Oinousses (Greek: Οινούσσες), alternative forms: Aignoussa (Αιγνούσα) or Egnoussa (Εγνούσα) is a barren cluster of 1 larger and 8 smaller islands some 2 kilometres (1 mile) off the north-east coast of the Greek island of Chios and 8 km (5 miles) west of Turkey. Administratively the islands form a municipality within the Chios regional unit, which is part of the North Aegean region. The principal town of the islands and seat of the municipality is also called Oinousses.[2] Oinousses has a small resident population, living primarily in the islands' town of Oinoússes (pop. 792), and a recently built monastery. The town is centred on a square (plateia) and a small port; it includes a school, several churches, a Naval high school and a maritime museum. The only other populated settlements are Kástron (pop. 29) and Aspalathrókampos (5).

The vast majority of the workforce of the island is engaged in seafaring, fishing and goat-herding.

The islands are noted as the origin of an unusual cluster of successful ship-owning families: the Lemos, Pateras, Hadjipateras, Kollakis and Lyras families. Whilst most of the families now live elsewhere most of the year, the islands and town are well maintained with a strong naval connection. Oinoussians abroad are noted for their successful entrepreneurial skills in the industrial transportation industry. Although the number of Oinoussian ship operating companies has fallen since their heyday in the 1960s they still maintain a formidable position in the industrial transportation industry.

Historical population

Year Population
1981 705
1991 636
2001 1,050
2011 1,050

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Detailed census results 2011" (in Greek).
  2. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)