Amorgós Island

▪ island, Greece

modern Greek  Nísos Amorgós,  

      island trending northeast-southwest in the Cyclades (Kikládhes) group of the Greek Aegean Islands. For the most part mountainous and narrow, it has an area of about 47 square miles (121 square km). Prosperous in the early Bronze Age, in classical times it had three cities, Arcesine, Minoa, and Aegiale. The island produced amorgina, fine transparent fabrics made from locally grown flax or cotton. It was used by the Romans as a place for exiles. Today it supports a dwindling agricultural community, chiefly in the Katápola Plain, which has the only good anchorage for visitors. The principal village is Amorgós (Chora) on the southern coast. There are also two ports on the northern coast, Katápola and Aiyiáli (Hagios Nicolaos). The latter is situated near the ruins of ancient Amorgós, about 9 miles (14 km) from modern Amorgós. Pop. (1981) 1,718.

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