Halki (Greece)

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 an area of 28 km² (11 sq mi), it is the smallest inhabited island of the Dodecanese. It is part of the Rhodes regional unit.[2] It has a permanent population of 330 (increased during the summer months), concentrated in the only village Emborio. The 2011 census showed a population of 478 inhabitants. The community is divided in two parts, Chorio (Χωριό, also spelled Horio, "Village") Emporio (Εμποριό, "Market").

Halki (or Chalki) Χάλκη
The port of Emporio
Halki (or Chalki) Location within the region
Coordinates: 36°14′N 27°34′E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	South Aegean
Regional unit	Rhodes
Area
• Municipality	37.04 km^2 (14.30 sq mi)
Highest elevation	601 m (1,972 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Municipality	478
• Municipality density	13/km^2 (33/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	851 10
Area code(s)	22460
Vehicle registration	ΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ
Website	www.dimoschalkis.gr

Port of Emporio, Halki Island, Dodecanese

History

The island supported a much larger population but following emigration in the mid-20th 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

Church on the left and typical houses of Emporio

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 square kilometres (14.302 sq mi).[3] 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. As of 2014 there is a desalination plant on the island and the water boat no longer comes every few days. However, bottled water still arrives.

People

Dimitris Kremastinos (born 1942), former Greek Minister of Health (1993–1996)

References

1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
2. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
3. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.

Further reading

• Maria Z. Sigala, Ckalke from the Early Christian Period to the End of the Period of the Knights (5th century - 1523): Monuments, Architecture, Topography, Society, Athens 2011 (unpublished doctoral thesis).
• Maria Z. Sigala, "Kellia on Chalki in the Dodecanese. The date of the wall-paintings and their significance", Deltion of the Christian Archaeological Society 30, Athens 2009, 149-158 (in Greek with an English summary).

External links

Media related to Halki at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (in Greek)