The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese (“Seven Islandsbut the group includes many smaller islands as well as the seven principal ones.
As a distinct historic region they date to the centuries-long Venetian rule, which preserved them from becoming part of the Ottoman Empire, and created a distinct cultural identity with many Italian influences. The Ionian Islands became part of the modern Greek state in 1864.
The seven islands are, from north to south:
- Kerkyrausually known as Corfu
- Paxialso known as Paxos
- Lefkadaalso known as Lefkas
- Ithakiusually known as Ithaca
- Kefaloniaoften known as Cefalonia,
- Zakynthossometimes known as Zante
Kythira usually known as Cythera
The six northern islands are off the west coast of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. The seventh island, Kythira, is off the southern tip of the Peloponnese, the southern part of the Greek mainland. Kythira is not part of the region of the Ionian Islands, as it is included in the region of Attica (Athens).
