Corfu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corfu
Κέρκυρα
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![]() Pontikonisi (background) and Vlacherna Monastery (foreground) seen from the hilltops of Kanoni
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Country | Greece | |
Administrative region | Ionian Islands | |
Regional unit | Corfu | |
Area | ||
• Municipality | 610.9 km2 (235.9 sq mi) | |
Highest elevation | 906 m (2,972 ft) | |
Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | |
Population
(2011)
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• Municipality | 102,071 | |
• Municipality density | 167.083/km2 (432.74/sq mi) | |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) | |
Postal code |
490 82, 490 83, 490 84, 491 00
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Area code(s) | 26610, 26620, 26630 | |
Vehicle registration | KY | |
Website | www.corfu.gr |
Corfu (or Kerkyra) is the seventh-largest Greek island. It is in the Ionian Sea northwest of Greece. The island has a total area of 1,540 km2 (590 sq mi). In 2001, 109,537 people lived on the island. Corfu city is the largest city on Corfu.
Contents
History
In ancient times, Corfu was a colony of ancient Corinth. This colony was one of the causes for beginning the Peloponnesian War. Later, the island became a part of the Roman Empire. It was also a part of the Byzantine Empire. The island has been controlled by many countries. In the thirteenth century, the Venetians took control of the island. They controlled it until 1797. During this time, the Ottomans attacked the island two times. They attacked in 1537 and again in 1716. Under Napoleon's rule, the French took the island. They lost control of it to the Russians and Turks in 1799. Control of the island was given back to the French in 1807 and in 1815 to the English. In 1864, the United Kingdom gave Corfu, with the other Ionian islands, to Greece. In the nineteenth century, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sissi, built a palace on the island. The palace is known as Achilleion. The name of the palace comes from a statue of an ancient hero, Achilles.
Tourism
Tourism is a very large part of the economy of Corfu. It is one of the most touristic islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Every year, many tourists visit the island. Corfu has many forests and olive trees. It also has many beaches. There are many other places of interest on the island. The city of Corfu has an appearance from an older time. It has many Venetian, Napoleonic, and Georgian buildings. The town is an UNESCO monument. A very important place is Achilleion. It was the palace of Empress Sissi. The rest of island has many villages, beaches and famous castles.
The island is also well known for entertainment. There are many places which have entertainment. These include bars, night clubs and cafes. The part of the island which is full of places of entertainment is Kavos. Kavos is popular with English tourists.
Images for kids
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A relief of Dionysus Bacchus at the Archaeological Museum of Corfu
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The northern side of the Venetian Old Fortress at night. The Great Cross can be clearly seen as described in the Palaio Frourio section of this article.
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Douglas' column at the suburb of Garitsa. Built to commemorate Howard Douglas.
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Statue of Achilleús Thnēskōn (Achilles Dying) in the gardens of the Achilleion
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View of the Palace of Saints Michael and George (Palaia Anaktora). The gates of St. Michael and St. George are on the left and right respectively. The gardens are to the right of the arch of St. George. The statue of Sir Frederick Adam, a British governor of Corfu, is at the front.
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Palaio Frourio south elevation. The Venetian built moat is on the left and the Doric style St. George's Church built by the British can be seen in the background on the right.
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The Ionian Academy is the first academic institution of modern Greece. The building is now fully restored after the WWII Luftwaffe bombings.
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The Gorgon as depicted on the western pediment from the Temple of Artemis, on display at the Archaeological Museum of Corfu
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The bell tower of the Saint Spyridon Church can be seen in the background among the busy kantounia of the city centre. On top of the stores are apartments with balconies. It is from these type of balconies that Corfiots throw botides, clay pots, to celebrate the Resurrection during Easter festivities.
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A marching band from Austria, a frequent visitor, through the Corfu landmark of Liston . In the background is the western arch of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
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The Municipal Theatre of Corfu, which in the early 20th century replaced the legendary Nobile Teatro di San Giacomo. This photograph shows the theatre prior to the 1943 Luftwaffe bombardment and its subsequent destruction during WWII.
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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, consort of the British monarch
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Panoramic view of Corfu (city) from the New Fortress
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Gardens of Achilleion
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Statues at the Achilleion terrace
See also
In Spanish: Corfú para niños
![]() | Luis Walter Alvarez |
![]() | Francisco J. Ayala |
![]() | Baruj Benacerraf |
![]() | Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski |