Lefkada is an island that is located in the Ionian sea. It is situated off the west coast of Greece, and it is connected to the main island via a long causeway. There is also a floating bridge that allows cars to go across. The main town on the island shares the same name as the island itself. It is approximately 22 miles long from north to south, and it is nine miles wide from east to west. In total, the island is approximately 117 square miles. Even though the island is relatively small, there is a mountain on the island that is approximately 3,800 feet above sea level. The mountain is in the middle of the island.
It has been estimated that approximately 22,000 people live on the island; however, particularly during the summer, the island benefits from tourism. Many people visit the island because of its connection to ancient history. There are stories that Sappho, an ancient mythical figure, committed suicide by jumping from The Cliffs of the Island. The island is all so tightly linked to Odysseus, who is the main hero from The Odyssey, written by Homer. Excavations have been performed extensively on the island, suggesting that Ithaca, from Homer’s stories, is actually this Island. As a result, many people visit the island to explore these claims.
There are several ways to get to the island. Because there is a long bridge that connects the island to the mainland, it is possible for people to simply drive from the main area of Greece to Lefkada. Those who are coming to the island from outside of the area can also reach it via the Aktion airport, which is about 25 miles from the island, depending on traffic. Because the island is relatively remote, public transportation is limited. Once on the island, it is easy to navigate using the main roads.
The island itself has changed hands several times over the years. Even though it was owned by the Greeks during the classical times, it was eventually conquered by the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages. Then, the Republic of Venice took control of the island in 1198. It held onto the island for several centuries, but it was eventually conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire took control of the island during the 16th century. Then, the island was proclaimed by the Venetian Republic during the 17th century, which maintained control over the island until the fall of the Republic of Venice, which took place in 1797. Several years later, the Greeks took control of the island once again. It was officially ceded to Greece in 1864. At that time, the island had approximately 24,000 people. The population of the island has been relatively constant since that time, as it has approximately 22,000 people today.