Archipelago Dodecanese Highest point Mt. Saria Regional unit Karpathos Area 20.43 km² Max length 8 km Area code 22450 | Highest elevation 631 m (2,070 ft) Region South Aegean Capital city Argos Elevation 631 m Island group Dodecanese | |
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Saria Island (Greek: Σαρία) is an island in Greece. It is a rocky, volcanic island along the northern edge of Karpathos, separated from it by a strait 100 m (330 ft) wide. It is part of the Dodekanissos archipelago.
Map of Saria Island, Olimpos, Greece
Administratively, it is part of the community of Olympos. The 2011 census reported a resident population of 45 persons. It has little plant or animal life, and has a number of sharp 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 majesty. On the island of Saria, it is recorded history that a kingdom existed named Mikri Nisyros.