Saronic Gulf
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| Saronic Gulf | |
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| Σαρωνικός κόλπος (Greek) | |
 The Saronic Gulf and its major islands | |
  Saronic Gulf Location of the Saronic Gulf within Greece | |
| Location | Attica and the Peloponnese |
| Coordinates | 37°42′N 23°36′E / 37.7°N 23.6°E |
| Type | Gulf |
| Part of | Aegean Sea |
| Basin countries | Greece |
The Saronic Gulf (Greek: Σαρωνικός κόλπος, Saronikós kólpos) or Gulf of Aegina in Greece is formed between the peninsulas of Attica and Argolis and forms part of the Aegean Sea. It defines the eastern side of the isthmus of Corinth, being the eastern terminus of the Corinth Canal, which cuts across the isthmus. The Saronic Islands in the gulf have played a pivotal role in the history of Greece, with the largest, Salamis being the location of a significant naval battle in the Greco-Persian wars. The Megara Gulf makes up the northern end of the Saronic Gulf.
The Athens urban area lies on the north coast of the Saronic Gulf.
Etymology
The origin of the gulf's name comes from the
History
The
The ancient port of
Geography
The gulf includes the islands of Aegina, Salamis, and Poros along with smaller islands of Patroklos and Fleves. The port of Piraeus, Athens' port, lies on the northeastern edge of the gulf. The site of the former Ellinikon International Airport is also in the northeast.
Beaches line much of the gulf coast from
Bays in the gulf include
The volcano of Methana is located to the southwest along with Kromyonia at the Isthmus of Corinth, Aegina and Poros. Methana is also the youngest most active volcano center and forms the northwestern end of the cycladic arch of active volcanoes that includes Milos island, Santorini island and Nisyros island. A hydropathic institute at Methana makes use of the hot sulphurous water that still surfaces in the area. The most recent eruption was of a submarine volcano north of Methana in the 17th century.
The gulf has refineries around the northern part of the gulf including east of Corinth and west of Agioi Theodoroi, Eleusis, Aspropyrgos, Skaramangas and Keratsini. These refineries produce most of Greece's refined petroleum products, a large proportion of which are then exported. Commercial shipping to the refineries, Piraeus, and to and from the canal make the gulf quite a busy area with commercial shipping.
Fault lines dominate especially in the northwestern part.
Tributaries
- Kechries Bay
- Saronic Bay Coast (basin)
- Lower Galataki Basin
- Upper Galataki Basin
- Examilia Basin
- Athikia Basin
- Loutro Basin
- Megara Bay/Megara Gulf
- Cephissus River (Eleusis)
- Cephissus (Athenian plain) between Piraeus and Phaliron.
Capes
- Cape Lomvardi - SW of Vouliagmeni
Sailing
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Sailing is popular in the Saronic Gulf which, like the neighbouring Argolic Gulf, benefits from the
The Gulf boasts two particularly notable archaeological sites: the ancient theatre at Epidaurus and nearby asclepieion and the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina.
Other
The Saronic Gulf is one of congregating areas for
See also
References
- ^ "The Underworld in Greek Mythology". Greek Legends and Myths. Archived from the original on 2019-06-18. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
- ^ Compared to Hercules and his Labours, "Theseus is occupied only with the sacred Entrances that are local to the lands of Athens" (Ruck and Staples 1994:204).
- ^ "Current knowledge of the cetacean fauna of the Greek Seas" (PDF). 2003. pp. 219–232. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
- ^ "A rare Fin Whale visit in the Saronic Gulf". 30 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-05-07. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
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