Euboea

Euboea or Évvoia, formerly Negropont, island, eastern Greece, in the Aegean Sea, separated from the southern part of the mainland by the Northern Euboean Gulf (Vórios Evvoïkós Kólpos) and Evripos (Euripos) Strait. Euboea (Évvoia) Island is 140 km (90 mi) long from northwest to southeast and varies from 6 to 48 km (4 to 30 mi) in width. The island is traversed by mountain ranges, between which lie fertile plains. Mount Dhírfis (Delphi), the highest peak, rises 1,743 m (5,718 ft) above sea level. Hot sulfur springs and medicinal plants are found on Mount Galatsadhes (1,352 m/ 4,436 ft). On the island cattle, goats, hogs, sheep, and bees are raised; and figs, olives, wine grapes, and wheat are cultivated. At one time iron and copper were mined; present-day mineral products consist of magnesite, lignite coal, and marble. Euboea was conquered by Macedonia about 338 bc, taken by the Ottoman Turks in 1470, and restored to the Greeks in 1830. The history of the island is basically that of Khalkís (also Chalcis or Chalkis), its chief city. Area, 3,900 sq km (1,500 sq mi); population (1981) 188,410.