I. A Grecian Island

A Grecian Island, included in the Cyclades, 20 m. N. W. of Paros; area, 45 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 26,480. It is of very irregular outline, with steep and rugged coasts. The chief productions are wheat, barley, cotton, figs, silk, and especially wine, whose praises have been sung by Homer.

II. Syra, New Syros

New Syros Syra, Or Hermopolis, the capital of the island and of the Greek nomarchy of the Cyclades, situated at the head of a bay on the E. coast, near the site of the ancient city; pop. in 1870, 20,996. It is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishop, and of the Greek bishop of the Cyclades. It is the principal commercial port of Greece and an important station for steamers. The imports in 1873 amounted to £791,500, and the exports to £172,337. The old part of the town, originally built on a hill as a protection against pirates, is inhabited chiefly by Roman Catholics, and the lower part by Greeks. At the close of the Cretan war in 1869, the port was blockaded by Hobart Pasha.