# Leros

> island in the Aegean Sea

**Wikidata**: [Q426893](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q426893)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leros)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/leros

## Summary
Leros is an island in the Aegean Sea, located in Greece. It is part of the Dodecanese island group and is known for its rich history, traditional villages, and Mediterranean climate. The island has a population of approximately 10,566 inhabitants and is characterized by its rugged landscapes and cultural heritage.

## Key Facts
- Leros is an island in the Aegean Sea, located in Greece.
- The island is part of the Dodecanese group of Greek islands.
- Leros has a population of approximately 10,566 inhabitants.
- The island is known for its traditional villages, such as Kalloni and Petra.
- Leros has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
- The island is home to several archaeological sites, including ancient ruins and Byzantine churches.
- Leros is part of the broader Greek archipelago, which includes over 6,000 islands.
- The island has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from ancient Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
- Leros is part of the Schengen Area, with membership starting in 2000.
- The island is part of the European Union, with Greece joining in 1981.
- Leros is part of the NATO alliance, with Greece joining in 1952.
- The island is part of the United Nations, with Greece joining in 1945.
- Leros is part of the Council of Europe, with Greece joining in 1949.
- The island is part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), with Greece joining in 1961.
- Leros has a birth rate of 7.3 per 1,000 people in 2022.
- The island has a death rate of 13.4 per 1,000 people in 2022.
- The total fertility rate in Leros was 1.3 in 2014.
- The unemployment rate in Leros was 18.5% in 2019.
- The island has a Gini coefficient of 33.1 in 2019, indicating a relatively low level of income inequality.
- The life expectancy in Leros was 81.1 years in 2015.
- The suicide rate in Leros was 3.6 per 100,000 people in 2019.
- The island has a democracy index of 7.39 in 2020.
- The happy planet index score for Leros was 48.8 in 2019.
- The island has a water coverage of 2.3% of its area.
- The rural population of Leros was 2,048,160 in 2022.
- The urban population of Leros was 8,378,759 in 2022.
- The male population of Leros was 5,102,926 in 2022.
- The female population of Leros was 5,323,993 in 2022.
- The total population of Leros was 10,566,531 in 2022.
- The island has a nominal GDP of approximately $219 billion USD in 2022.
- Leros uses the Euro (€) as its currency, adopted on January 1, 2002.
- The island has a VAT rate of 24%.
- Leros has a human development index of 0.887 in 2021.
- The island uses the right-hand traffic system.
- The standard voltage in Leros is 230 volts at 50 Hz.
- The country code for Leros in ISO standards is GR (Alpha-2) and GRC (Alpha-3), with numeric code 300.
- The top-level internet domain for Leros is .gr and .ελ.
- The national flag of Leros features a blue field with a white cross and nine stripes, officially adopted in 1978.
- The national anthem of Leros is the "Hymn to Liberty," officially adopted in 1865.
- The motto of Leros is "Freedom or death" (Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος).
- Leros is part of the Schengen Area, with membership starting in 2000.
- The highest point in Leros is Mount Olympus, which reaches 2,919 meters above sea level.
- The lowest point in Leros is Calypso Deep, which is 5,269 meters below sea level.
- Leros shares land borders with Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey.
- The island has a rich linguistic diversity, including Greek (Modern Greek), Tsakonian, Cappadocian Greek, and others.
- Leros has a well-developed infrastructure, including modern transportation systems and telecommunications networks.
- The island is part of the European grid for electricity, with a standard voltage of 230 volts at 50 Hz.
- Leros has a rich academic tradition, with several universities and research institutions.
- The island is home to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the University of Crete.
- Leros has a comprehensive healthcare system, with a focus on public health and social welfare.
- The island's health metrics include a life expectancy of 81.1 years in 2015 and a suicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000 people in 2019.
- Leros is located in the Mediterranean biome and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
- The island has several national parks and protected areas, including the Greek Islands.
- The environment of Leros is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

## FAQs
### What is the government structure of Leros?
Leros is part of Greece, which is a parliamentary republic. The current head of state is Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who has been in office since March 13, 2020. The head of government is Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has served since June 8, 2019. The legislative body is the Hellenic Parliament.

### What organizations is Leros a member of?
Leros is part of Greece, which is a member of numerous international organizations, including the European Union (since 1981), NATO (since 1952), the United Nations (since 1945), the Council of Europe (since 1949), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (since 1961). Greece is also part of the Schengen Area (since 2000).

### What are the official languages of Leros?
The official language of Leros is Greek, with Modern Greek being the most widely spoken form. Other recognized languages include Tsakonian, Cappadocian Greek, and others.

### What is the geography and climate of Leros like?
Leros is located in the Aegean Sea and is part of the Dodecanese island group. The island has a diverse landscape that includes rugged coastlines and traditional villages. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

### What is the currency and economic situation in Leros?
The currency of Leros is the Euro (€), adopted on January 1, 2002. The nominal GDP of Greece, of which Leros is a part, was approximately $219 billion USD in 2022. The total fertility rate was 1.3 in 2014, and the unemployment rate was 18.5% in 2019.

### What are some key historical events in Leros?
Leros has been influenced by its ancient history, including its role in the development of democracy and philosophy. The island has evolved through various historical periods, including the Byzantine era and the Ottoman occupation, before becoming part of modern Greece.

### What are the demographics of Leros?
As of 2021, the population of Greece, of which Leros is a part, was approximately 10,482,487. The birth rate was 7.3 per 1,000 people in 2022, and the death rate was 13.4 per 1,000. The life expectancy in Greece was 81.1 years in 2015.

## Why It Matters
Leros holds a significant place in global history and culture due to its ancient contributions to philosophy, democracy, and the arts. As part of modern Greece, it plays a key role in European politics and economics, especially through its strategic position in the Mediterranean and its membership in major international organizations. Leros's rich cultural heritage continues to influence global perspectives on governance, law, and human rights. Its ongoing relevance in contemporary geopolitics, particularly within the European Union, underscores its importance in maintaining regional stability and fostering international cooperation.

## Notable For
- Being part of the birthplace of democracy and Western philosophy.
- Its strategic location in the Mediterranean, influencing European and Middle Eastern geopolitics.
- Hosting some of the world's most historically significant archaeological sites, such as the Acropolis.
- Its contributions to the arts, literature, and science throughout history.
- Being a key player in the European refugee crisis, offering both humanitarian aid and logistical challenges.
- Its vibrant cultural festivals and strong maritime traditions.

## Body

### History
Leros has been influenced by its ancient history, including its role in the development of democracy and philosophy. The island has evolved through various historical periods, including the Byzantine era and the Ottoman occupation, before becoming part of modern Greece. Greece was founded on March 25, 1821, following the Greek War of Independence.

### Government and Politics
Leros is part of Greece, which is a parliamentary republic. The current head of state is Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who has been in office since March 13, 2020. The head of government is Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has served since June 8, 2019. The legislative body is the Hellenic Parliament. Greece is part of the Schengen Area, with membership starting in 2000.

### Geography and Demographics
Leros is located in the Aegean Sea and is part of the Dodecanese island group. The island has a diverse landscape that includes rugged coastlines and traditional villages. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The population of Greece, of which Leros is a part, was approximately 10,482,487 as of the 2021 census. The birth rate was 7.3 per 1,000 people in 2022, and the death rate was 13.4 per 1,000. The life expectancy in Greece was 81.1 years in 2015.

### Economy
The currency of Greece, of which Leros is a part, is the Euro (€), adopted on January 1, 2002. The nominal GDP of Greece was approximately $219 billion USD in 2022. The total fertility rate was 1.3 in 2014, and the unemployment rate was 18.5% in 2019.

### Culture and Society
Leros has a rich cultural heritage, with contributions to the arts, literature, and science throughout history. The island is known for its vibrant cultural festivals and strong maritime traditions. It is also a key player in the European refugee crisis, offering both humanitarian aid and logistical challenges.

### International Relations
Leros is part of Greece, which is a member of numerous international organizations, including the European Union (since 1981), NATO (since 1952), the United Nations (since 1945), and the Council of Europe (since 1949). Greece is also part of the Schengen Area (since 2000) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (since 1961).

### Language and Communication
The official language of Leros is Greek, with Modern Greek being the most widely spoken form. Other recognized languages include Tsakonian, Cappadocian Greek, and others. The country code for Greece in ISO standards is GR (Alpha-2) and GRC (Alpha-3), with numeric code 300. The top-level internet domain for Greece is .gr and .ελ.

### Symbols and Identity
The national anthem of Leros is the "Hymn to Liberty," officially adopted in 1865. The motto of Greece is "Freedom or death" (Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος). The national flag of Greece features a blue field with a white cross and nine stripes, officially adopted in 1978.

### Environment and Biodiversity
Leros is located in the Mediterranean biome and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The island has several national parks and protected areas, including the Greek Islands. The environment is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

### Infrastructure and Technology
Leros has a well-developed infrastructure, including modern transportation systems and telecommunications networks. Greece is part of the European grid for electricity, with a standard voltage of 230 volts at 50 Hz. The country's top-level internet domain is .gr and .ελ.

### Education and Research
Leros has a rich academic tradition, with several universities and research institutions. Greece is home to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the University of Crete. Greece is also involved in various international research collaborations, including CERN.

### Health and Social Issues
Leros has a comprehensive healthcare system, with a focus on public health and social welfare. The country's health metrics include a life expectancy of 81.1 years in 2015 and a suicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000 people in 2019. The country's Gini coefficient was 33.1 in 2019, indicating a relatively low level of income inequality.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. BabelNet