Sharia is an island in the Aegean Sea surrounded by the Carpathian Sea.

It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located just opposite the northern tip of Karpathos.

It has an area of 20.4 sq km and an altitude of 631 m (2,067 ft). According to the 2011 census, the existing settlement in the northern part of the islet (Kato (C)), Argos, is home to 45 people, including 22 scientists doing research on the Mediterranean seal, according to the census.

The shortest approach to Argos is from the sea, and more specifically, from the beach of Palates, through the gorge of the river Edis.

According to the Kallikrates Programme (Law 3852/2010), the island belongs to the Local Community of Olympus of the Municipality of Karpathos and is separated from Karpathos by a narrow and shallow strait, the Strait of Saria, which is 100 metres wide and prohibits the passage of boats of large draught.

In ancient times, the island was part of Karpathos and was separated from it by erosion.

The island is scattered with ancient monuments, ruins and remains of ancient settlements, and was also a base for Saracen pirates. Its ancient name was Saros and in the 5th century BC it belonged to the Athenian Alliance.

In Sharia there are traces of the presence of Neolithic and early Bronze Age man. Remains of fortifications have been found on the western slope of the Kastellos hill from the period of historical times.

There are early Christian and medieval buildings at Palatia, while the peculiar medieval settlement of the 10th century with its strange domed buildings, located on the hill above Palatia, is thought to have been an Arab settlement or a base for Saracen pirates.

It is an important habitat and breeding ground for birds and marine organisms and has been classified as a“Important Bird Area of Europe”, as it hosts a remarkable number of rare birds of prey, such as theSpotted Eagle(Hieraaetus fasciatus), Eagle Falcon(Buteo rufinus) and Black-backed Gull(Falco eleonorae).

Saria, together with Karpathos and the surrounding marine area, are part of the Natura 2000 network, due to the variety of habitats and the rare species they host, both at national and European level.

During the summer months, the island’s beaches are flooded by many holidaymakers.

Πηγή: https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki