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'''Gavdos''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] '''Γαύδος''') is the most southerly [[List of islands of Greece|Greek island]], located to the south of its much bigger neighbour, [[Crete]], of which it is administratively a part, in the prefecture of [[Chania prefecture|Chania]]. It is also the most southerly point of Europe.

The island is 26 nautical miles south of [[Hora Sfakion]] and is 27 sq km in area. There is only a small number of year-round residents and services for tourists are basic. The harbour for irregular ferries is Karave, the island's capital is Kastri.

==History==
Gavdos has supported a permanent population since Neolithic times; nowadays, however, the island has very few people. The place has seen many uses in the different times it has inspired interest. In [[Ancient Greece]] Gavdos was the site of the mythical [[Ogygia]] where [[Kalypso]] held [[Odysseus]] prisoner. Archaeological evidence showed that the Roman empire was active on the island. During this time the flora of the island was overexploited, this started a process of erosion which continued to this very day.

Later, at the time of the [[Byzantine Empire]], the island had some 8,000 inhabitants ([[900]]-[[1000]] AD) and supported 3 bishops and an archbishop. During the Turkish Empire's reign on the island, which lasted from [[1665]] up until [[1895]], Gavdos was known as Gondzo. During this period the population decreased considerably to only 500 inhabitants by [[1882]]. Gavdos was also known to Saracens; one of the beaches is named Sarakiniko (of the Saracens), as it is believed that Saracens had a hideout there.

In the [[1930s|30's]] the island was used as a place of exile of communists; more than 250 people were exiled including leading figures of the Greek movement, such as [[Markos Vafiadis]]. Later on, the general phase of urbanization that started in other parts of Greece in the [[1960s|60's]], took place in the [[1950s|50's]] on Gavdos. During that period the islanders exchanged their land on Gavdos with ex-Turkish land on Crete, which had now become exchangeable via the state. Upon settling in Crete they created a community known as ''Gavdiotika''.

== Politics==
Following years of isolation, in [[1996]] the island came to media prominence. In a NATO exercise Gavdos was the focal point of a contestation between Greece and Turkey.  Following that, the prime minister, [[Costas Simitis|Mr. Simitis]], visited Gavdos and announced a five-year, €1.5 million plan for Gavdos's development.

In [[2001]], [[Costis Stephanopoulos]], the President of the Republic, inaugurated a telemedicine centre on Gavdos, an island which has never had a doctor. This exercise, however, was marred as the island's infrastructure could not provide the necessary power required by the centre. For the purposes of the inauguration, generators were brought in, which were then removed. 

In [[2002]], the island came to the forefront again, due to the arrests of members of the terrorist group [[Revolutionary Organization 17 November|November 17]].

== External links ==
*[http://www.hri.org/news/greek/ana/2001/01-07-31.ana.html#05 Athens News Agency]
*[http://www.sougia.info/anendyk.htm Ferry time-table and prices]
*[http://www.gavdosfm.gr gavdosfm 88.8] Gavdos's radiostation, also Europe's most southerly radiostation.

{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:Crete]]
[[Category:Islands of Greece]]
[[Category:Chania prefecture]]