Poros

Poros (Πόρος; ˈporos) is a small Greek island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, about south from the port of Piraeus and separated from the Peloponnese by a wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait. Its surface area is about and it has 3,780 inhabitants. The ancient name of Poros was Pogon. Like other ports in the Saronic, it is a popular weekend destination for travellers. Poros consists of two islands: Sphaeria (Σφαιρία, sfeˈria), the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where today's city is located, and Kalaureia (Καλαυρία, kalavˈria), also Kalavria or Calauria (meaning 'gentle breeze'), the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over a narrow strait. Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short holidays. The land area of the municipality (which includes the islands and part of the adjacent Peloponnese coast) is . The landscape is very hilly and mountainous. The highest peak is the Vigla (358 m) in the west-central part. Following the island's topography and geology, small creeks and seasonal streams flow through steep valleys of the southern and northeastern part. The western and northern part of the island feature smooth hills and shallow valleys. Sandy beaches are restricted to the southern shore of the island, except for a bay in the northern part called Vayionia. Poros contains the following villages: Poros, (pop. 3,651) Ágios Nektários (pop. 101). Kyaní Aktí (pop. 213) a part of the mainland at the easternmost point of the Peloponnese peninsula between the island of Poros and the island of Hydra and next to the municipalities of Troizinia and Ermionida. The geology of the island comprises Mesozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (limestone, and Flysch-type sandstone) and ophiolites, as well as Neogene volcanic rocks on Sferia.