Saria Island

35°52′N 27°13′E / 35.87°N 27.22°E / 35.87; 27.22ArchipelagoDodecaneseArea20.429 km² (7.888 sq mi)Highest elevation631 m (2070 ft)Highest pointMt. SariaAdministrationRegionSouth AegeanRegional unitKarpathos-KasosMunicipalityKarpathosCapital cityArgosDemographicsPopulation45 (2011)Additional informationPostal code857 00Area code(s)22450Vehicle registrationΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ

Saria Island (Greek: Σαρία), anciently known as Sarus or Saros (Ancient Greek: Σάρος),^[1][2] is an island in Greece. It is a rocky, volcanic island just to the north of Karpathos, separated from it by a 100 m (330 ft) wide strait. It is part of the Dodecanese archipelago. In ancient times, a city-state called Saros was situated on the island.^[1][3] It was a member of the Delian League.^[4]

Administratively, it is part of the municipal unit of Olympos. The 2011 census reported a resident population of 45 persons. It has little plant or animal life, and has a number of steep cliffs. Although only shepherds live on Saria now, the ruins of the ancient city of Nisyros can be found here. It is also a breeding area for Eleonora's falcons.

Although the name is subject to dispute, scholars link it with the name of an ancient Greek princess named Katherine from a line of Saria royalty. Greek legends say she was as beautiful as Helen of Troy and so they named an island after her. On the island of Saria, it is recorded history that a kingdom existed named Mikri Nisyros.

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The 12 major islandsMinor islandsRelated articles