Aegean Islands

Aegean Islands, numerous islands in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Asia Minor. The chief islands are Euboea (Évvoia) (which is by far the largest and adjoins the mainland of Greece), Thásos, Samothráki, Lésvos, Límnos, Kos, Khíos, and Sámos. All the islands are included in either the Sporades or the Cyclades (Kikládhes) group. The islands, many of which are of volcanic origin, have a healthful climate and beautiful scenery. In ancient times they played an important part in Greek history, giving to the world many distinguished poets and philosophers. The islands came under the control of Rome in the 2nd century bc and from the 5th to the 13th century ad were part of the Byzantine Empire. During the 15th and 16th centuries the islands were conquered by the Ottoman Empire, and they remained under Ottoman rule until 1829, when all but the Dodecanese became part of the independent kingdom of Greece. Italy took the Dodecanese in 1912, and Germany occupied them in 1943. In 1945 they were taken over by the British, and they formally became part of Greece in 1947.