Ithaca - Geography

Geography

Ithaca lies east of the northwest coast of Kephalonia, from which it is separated by the Strait of Ithaca. It covers an area of 117.8 km² and has approximately 100 km of coastline. The island stretches in the north-south direction, in length of 23 km and maximum width of 6 km. It consists of two parts, of about equal size, connected by narrow isthmus of Aetos (Eagle), just 600 m wide. The two parts enclose large bay of Molos, whose southern branch is the harbor of Vathi, the capital and the largest settlement of the island. The second largest village is Stavros in the northern part.

Lazaretto Islet (or Island of The Saviour) guards the harbor. The church of The Saviour and the remains of an old gaol sit on the island.

The capes in the island include Exogi, the westernmost but not in land, Melissa to the north, Mavronos and Agios Ilias to the east, Schinous, Sarakiniko and Agios Ioannis, the easternmost to the east and Agiou Andreou, the southernmost in the south. Bays include Afales Bay to the northwest, Frikes and Kioni Bays to the northeast and Ormos Gulf and Sarakiniko Bay to the southeast. The tallest mountain is Nirito in the northern part (806 m), followed by Merovigli (669 m) in the south.