Symi

Symi
Σύμη
Clockwise from top: A view of Ano Symi, Gyalou Square, the Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis, Annunciation Church, stairs in Ano Symi, the Port of Symi, a traditional Neoclassical house
Symi is located in Greece
Symi
Symi
Location within the region
Coordinates: 36°35′N 27°50′E / 36.583°N 27.833°E / 36.583; 27.833
CountryGreece
Administrative regionSouth Aegean
Regional unitRhodes
Government
 • MayorEleftherios Papakalodoukas[1] (since 2003)
Area
 • Municipality
65.754 km2 (25.388 sq mi)
Highest elevation
617 m (2,024 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Municipality
2,603
 • Density40/km2 (100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
856 00
Area code(s)22460
Vehicle registrationΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ
Websitesymi.gr

Symi, also transliterated as Syme or Simi (Greek: Σύμη), is a Greek island and municipality. It is mountainous and has the harbour town of Symi and its adjacent upper town Ano Symi, as well as several smaller population centres, beaches and areas of significance in history and mythology. Symi is part of the Rhodes regional unit.[3]

The economy of Symi was traditionally based on the shipbuilding and sponge industries. The population reached 22,500 at its peak during that period.[when?][4] Symi's main industry is now tourism,[5] and in 2021 its permanent population had declined to 2,603[2] with a larger population during the summer.[6]

Symi is known for its unique shrimps. Named "Symi's shrimps", these are small and are pan fried and eaten whole, shell and all.

  1. ^ "Municipality of Symi, Municipal elections – October 2023". Ministry of Interior. Archived from the original on 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  2. ^ a b "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  3. ^ "ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text" (in Greek). Government Gazette. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  4. ^ Hellander, Paul; Kate Armstrong (2006). Greece. Lonely Planet. p. 535. ISBN 978-1-74059-750-0.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Murrough (2003-04-27). "On Symi, parties go off with a bang". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-09-20.[dead link]
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference field was invoked but never defined (see the help page).