The island of Kefalonia, also known as Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia (Ancient Greek: Κεφαλληνία; Modern Greek: Κεφαλλονιά or Κεφαλονιά; Italian: Cefalonia), is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece, with an area of 350 sq. miles. It is also the larger of the two islands forming the Kefalonia and Ithaka Prefecture, and contains eight of the prefecture's nine municipalities or communities. (Ithaca is on a separate island.)
The island is named after the mythological figure Cephalus (Ciphalis), although some hold its name literally means "island with a head", referring to the island's shape; the name "Ciphalis" is derived from the Greek word for "head".
The capital of the Kefalonia prefecture is Argostoli. The island's population is nearly 45,000; it previously was home to the fastest growing population in Greece, with a growth rate of 35% to 40% during the 1990s. It was officially 36,404 at the census of 2001. The size of the island is ca. 800 km² (300 mi²), and the present population density is 55 people per km² (140/mi²), with Argostoli home to one-third of the island's habitants. Lixouri is the second major settlement, and the two towns together account for almost two-thirds of the prefecture's population.
Kefalonia is located in the heart of an earthquake zone, and dozens of minor or unrecorded tremors occur each year. In 1953, a massive earthquake almost destroyed settlement on the island, leaving only Fiscardo in the north untouched.
Eponymous most residents of Cephalonia it has conclusion "? - [atos]".
A big number of tourists visits the island each year, which Cephalonia is ready to entertain. Were the visitors increased by the moment where book "? The mandolin of captain [Koreli]"? became film (2001), which was turned in the island.
Almost does each village of Cephalonia have conclusion "? - [ata]"? , as [Loyrdata], [Fabata], [Delaportata] etc. Be believed that the number of villagesof Cephalonia is 364 those who also the days of time. (Enough by them they are not lived more).
In the island exist two big monasteries. Is the one the "? Saintly [Panagia]"? , that is found in Markopoulo in south-eastern, and the other is found in the street between Argostoli and [Michaton].
The very beautiful view Ionian seas can no one admire from the western, in the Scale, up to notherners in [Fiskardo]. From the island and concretely from the village of [Kontogennadas] ([Kontogennada]) in [Paliki] comes also the acquaintance, from the excavations in Santorini, archaelogist Spiridon Marinatos.
