Description of Euboea
The region of
Euboea is actually an island, the second large one in
Greece after
Crete. The close proximity of
Evia to
Attica and the fact that it is linked to the
Central Greece with two bridges has decreased the meaning of the word island to
Euboea. The rich diversity of landscape and the combination of pine trees and sandy beaches has made it more popular to Greek families for holidays rather than tourists from abroad.
Evia offers accommodation facilities in
hotels and is a famous short trip destination especially for Athenians all year round.
Geography of Euboea
Euboea or
Evia as it is pronounced in Greek is the second large island of
Greece after
Crete and is situated to the east of
Central Greece in
Aegean Sea. The neighbouring regions are
Attica and
Boetia in the mainland. The island closer to
Evia is
Andros and is separated by Kafireas Strait.
Euboea is linked to the mainland with two bridges, the Old Bridge and the New Bridge being one of the largest ones in
Europe. The region of
Evia spans an area of 3.684 sq. km. on the island of
Evia and 395 sq. km. the part of the mainland that belongs to the region as well. The total population is 218.032 inhabitants. The capital city of the region is
Chalkida and other significant towns are
Edipsos,
Karystos,
Eretria,
Istiaia.
History of Euboea
Evia has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and the cities of
Euboea in the eighth century BC had become major trading powers in the region famed for their ceramics. During this century the Euboeans began to establish colonies in southern
Italy and on the eastern coast of
Kimi. The eighth century BC was the century when
Euboea reached its peak but the period of prosperity came to an end when the Lelantine War broke between the State of
Chalkis and the State of
Eretria. Evia passed under the control of
Athens during the Peloponnesian war and then passed under the control of Macedons until the Roman conquest in the first century BC. Evia passed in Franks and then Venetians until it was conquered by Ottoman Turks in 1470.
Sightseeing in Euboea
The capital city of the region is
Chalkida and it is a very famous short break destination for mainlanders. One of the most charming riddles of
Greece lives in Chalkida and especially in
Euripus Strait, a narrow channel of water that separates the island of
Evia from the mainland. The current in the channel reverses direction around seven times daily, an event whose full explanation has eluded observers since Aristotle, but it still remains a mystery. Some of the most visited places in
Evia are also the church of
St. John the Russian and the towns by the seaside like
Edipsos, famous for the thermal baths since antiquity,
Eretria,
Karystos,
Rovies but also mountainous villages like
Papades,
Pefki,
Tsapournia.
Useful Phone Numbers in Euboea
Police: +30 22210 25211
Hospital of Chalkida: +30 22210 21901-2
Bus services: +30 22210 20400
Railway: +30 22210 22386
