Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands stretch across the sea west of mainland Greece, forming a distinct historic region. Seven primary islands dominate this group, though many smaller islets exist alongside them. Kerkyra sits at the northern end, known in English as Corfu. Paxi follows, also called Paxos. Lefkada lies next, sometimes spelled Lefkas. Ithaki comes after that, famous as Ithaca in English. Kefalonia often appears as Cefalonia or Cephalonia. Zakynthos rounds out the main seven, frequently called Zante. A seventh island, Kythera, rests off the southern tip of the Peloponnese. It belongs to the Attica Region rather than the Ionian Islands Region today.
Etymology distinguishes these waters from ancient Anatolia. The adjective Ionios described the sea between Epirus and Italy in Ancient Greek. Myth claimed Io swam across it, giving the name its origin. The spelling uses an omicron (Ιόνια), while Ionia uses an omega (Ιωνία). This difference marks pronunciation and meaning clearly. During centuries of Venetian rule, the islands acquired Italian names still used today. Kerkyra became Corfù. Ithaki turned into Val di Compare. Kythera was Cerigo. Lefkada transformed to Santa Maura. Zakynthos shortened to Zante.
Greeks settled these islands at an early date, possibly as early as 1200 BC. By the 9th century BC, colonization was certainly underway. An Eretrian settlement at Kerkyra existed before colonists from Corinth displaced them in 734 BC. Most islands remained a backwater during classical antiquity. They played little part in Greek politics generally. One exception occurred in 434 BC when conflict erupted between Kerkyra and its mother-city Corinth. Athens intervened in that dispute, triggering the Peloponnesian War.
Ithaca held special mythological significance as the home of Odysseus in Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Attempts have been made to identify real-world Ithaki with ancient Ithaca described by Homer. The geography of the actual island cannot be made to fit Homer's description perfectly. Archaeological investigations have revealed findings in both Kefalonia and Ithaca. By the 4th century BC, most islands were absorbed into the empire of Macedon. Some remained under the Macedonian Kingdom until 146 BC when Rome gradually annexed the Greek peninsula. After four hundred years of peaceful rule, they continued under the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire.
From 1204, the Republic of Venice controlled Corfu and slowly all the Ionian islands fell under Venetian rule. In the 15th century, Ottomans conquered most of Greece but their attempts to conquer these islands failed largely. Zakynthos passed permanently to Venice in 1482. Kefalonia and Ithaki arrived in 1483. Lefkada came later in 1502. Kythera had been in Venetian hands since 1238. These became the only part of the Greek-speaking world that did not come under Ottoman control.
During this period, large numbers of Greeks moved to the Ionian islands. Smaller numbers of Albanian, Aromanian and Slavic-speaking Christians also fled there, though they quickly assimilated into the Greek majority. Venetian was the official language during this time. Many Greeks adopted the Venetian language for social advancement. Thousands of settlers from other parts of the Venetian Republic formed the basis of the Corfiot Italian community. The majority remained ethnically, linguistically and religiously Greek. Many Corfiot Italians later Hellenised, adopting the Greek language and religion. Ioannis Kapodistrias exemplifies this transition.
In 1797, French general Napoléon Bonaparte conquered Venice. By the Treaty of Campo Formio of October 1797, islanders found themselves under French rule. In 1798, 1799 a Russian-Ottoman fleet under Admiral Ushakov evicted the French. The victors established the Septinsular Republic of 1800, 1807 under joint Russo-Ottoman protection. This marked the first time Greeks had even limited self-government since Constantinople fell in 1453.
In 1809, British Royal Navy defeated the French fleet in Zakynthos on October 2. They captured Kefallonia, Kythera and Zakynthos, taking Lefkada in 1810. The French held out in Corfu until 1814. The Treaty of Paris in 1815 turned the islands into the United States of the Ionian Islands under British protection on November 5. In January 1817, Britain granted the islands a new constitution. Islanders elected an Assembly of 40 members to advise the British High Commissioner. British improved communications greatly and introduced modern education and justice systems. Thousands of Maltese arrived as builders and artisans, forming the Corfiot Maltese community.
In 1941, Axis forces occupied Greece and handed over most Ionian Islands to Italians except Kythera. Long a target of Italian expansionism, Greek civil authorities were replaced by Italians preparing for post-war annexation. In 1943, Germans replaced the Italians and deported the centuries-old Jewish community of Corfu to their deaths. By 1944, most islands came under control of the EAM/ELAS resistance movement. They have remained a stronghold of left-wing sentiment ever since.
The 1953 Ionian islands earthquake struck with surface wave magnitude of 7.2 on August 12. Maximum Mercalli intensity reached X, classified as Extreme. Building damage was extensive across the southern islands. Kefalonia and Zakynthos were practically levelled by the tremor. Rebuilding occurred from the ground up over following years under strict building code. That code has proven extremely effective, causing no damage to new buildings in subsequent earthquakes.
Today all islands are part of Greek region called Ionian Islands except Kythera, which belongs to Attica Region. Kerkyra holds population of 103,300 including Paxoi. Zakynthos contains 40,650 people. Kefallonia numbers 39,579 including Ithaca. Lefkada has 22,536 residents. Ithaki counts 3,052 inhabitants. Kythera holds 3,000 souls. Paxi totals 2,438 people.
In recent decades, islands lost much population through emigration and decline of traditional industries like fishing and marginal agriculture. Today tourism serves as major industry specifically for Kerkyra. Its harbour, scenery and wealth of ruins attract cruise liners frequently. British tourists arrive after reading Gerald Durrell's evocative book My Family and Other Animals published in 1956. The novel describes his childhood on Kerkyra during the 1930s. Captain Corelli's Mandolin movie is set in Kefalonia during Italian occupation force times in Second World War.
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Common questions
What are the seven primary islands of the Ionian Islands?
The seven primary islands are Kerkyra, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythera. These islands form a distinct historic region stretching across the sea west of mainland Greece.
When did the Ionian Islands come under Venetian rule?
Venice controlled Corfu starting from 1204 and gradually acquired all other islands by 1502. Zakynthos passed to Venice in 1482 while Kefalonia and Ithaki arrived in 1483 and Lefkada came later in 1502.
Who was the British High Commissioner for the Ionian Islands after 1815?
Britain established the United States of the Ionian Islands on the 5th of November 1815 under its protection. Islanders elected an Assembly of 40 members to advise the British High Commissioner beginning in January 1817.
Which earthquake struck the Ionian Islands in 1953?
The 1953 Ionian islands earthquake struck with surface wave magnitude of 7.2 on August 12. Maximum Mercalli intensity reached X classified as Extreme causing extensive building damage across the southern islands.
What is the population of Kerkyra today?
Kerkyra holds a population of 103,300 including Paxoi according to recent data. This island remains part of the Greek region called Ionian Islands despite Kythera belonging to Attica Region.