Euboea Attractions Évvia (Évia)

The two gulfs meet in the narrow strait of Évripos (only 35m/38yd wide and 8.5m/28ft deep), roughly at the mid-point of the island. The principal ports lie on the gentler coast facing the mainland; the rocky northeast coast for the most part falls steeply down to the sea. There are four main ranges of hills, some of them heavily wooded: in the northwest the Teléthri range (Xerón, 991m/3,251ft), southeast of this the Kandílio range (highest point 1,225m/4,019ft); to the east the Dírfys range (Delfí, 1,743m/5,719ft); and at the southeastern tip of the island the Ókhi range (1,398m/4,587ft). Below the hills, particularly on the west coast, are small, fertile alluvial plains. Euboea has minerals (magnesite, lignite) which supply metal-processing industries, particularly around Khalkís. Euboea's principal attraction for visitors lies in its scenic beauty.The earliest inhabitants of Euboea were Ellopians, incomers from Thessaly, in the northwest of the island; Abantes, a Thracian people, in central Euboea; and Dryopians in the southeast. Ionians from Attica mingled with the Abantes and thereafter controlled the whole island, bringing it a period of great prosperity between the eighth and sixth centuries B.C. Their two principal cities, Chalkis and Eretria, established numerous colonies in southern Italy, Sicily and the Thracian Chersonese (Chalcidice).In 506 B.C. Chalkis was conquered by Athens, for which possession of the fertile island soon became a matter of vital importance. Towards the end of the Peloponnesian War, in 411 B.C., Euboea broke away from Athens, but in subsequent wars was usually on the Athenian side.After the Latin conquest of Constantinople in A.D. 1204 Euboea was held by three Veronese barons, except the ports, which fell to the Venetians, who after numerous wars with the Frankish princes gained control of the whole island, calling it Negroponte. It became the second most important Venetian stronghold (after Crete) in the eastern Mediterranean, but in 1470 fell into the hands of the Turks. It was finally united with Greece under the Second London Protocol of 1830.Ferry services between Glyfa and Ayiókampos, Arkítsa and Loutrá Aidipsoú, Skála Oropoú and Erétria, Ayía Marína and Néa Styra; also between Rafína and Néa Styra and between Marmári and Kárystos.There is an attractive boat excursion along the Northern Euboean Gulf from Khalkís to Péfki.Regular services from Vólos via Kyàmi to the Northern Sporades, and to Kavála and Alexandroúpolis.Road connection with the mainland by traversing bridge (toll) at Khalkís; permanent bridge under construction.Bus services: Athens-Khalkís (1.5 hrs; several hourly), continuing to Kymi (altogether 3.75 hrs; several daily); to Skála Oropoú (hourly), then ferry to Erétria; Athens-Rafína (several hourly), then ferry to Néa Styra, Marmári and Kárystos; Athens-Loutrá Aidipsoú (3.5 hrs; several daily).By rail: Athens-Khalkís (1.75 hrs; several daily).In June 2007 some areas of Euboea were severely affected by forest fires.