Saria Island

{{Short description|Island in Greece}}

{{more footnotes|date=March 2013}}

{{Infobox islands

|name = Saria

|native_name = Σaρία

|native_name_lang = el

|image_name = Saria Island Greece.jpg

|image_caption =

|coordinates = {{coord|35.87|27.22|region:GR_type:isle|display=it}}

| map = Greece

| map_caption =

|location =

|archipelago = Dodecanese

|total_islands =

|area_km2 = 20.429

|highest_mount = Mt. Saria

|elevation_m = 631

|country = Greece

|country_admin_divisions_title = Region

|country_admin_divisions = South Aegean

|country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Regional unit

|country_admin_divisions_1 = Karpathos-Kasos

|country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Municipality

|country_admin_divisions_2 = Karpathos

|country_capital = Argos

|population = 45

|population_as_of = 2011

|density_km2 =

|postal_code = 857 00

|area_code = 22450

|registration_plate = ΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ

|website =

}}

File:The Saria Strait.jpg

File:ΣΑΡΕΙΑ ΚΑΡΠΑΘΟΥ. (3).jpg

Saria Island ({{langx|el|Σαρία}}), anciently known as Sarus or Saros ({{langx|grc|Σάρος}}),{{Cite Barrington|60}}{{Cite DARE|46783}} is an island in Greece. It is a rocky, volcanic island just to the north of Karpathos, separated from it by a 100 m (330 ft) wide strait. It is part of the Dodecanese archipelago. In ancient times, a city-state called Saros was situated on the island.{{Cite DARE|46782}} It was a member of the Delian League.[https://topostext.org/work/32#283 Athenian Tribute Lists]

Administratively, it is part of the municipal unit of Olympos. The 2011 census reported a population of 45 residents. It has little plant or animal life, and has a number of steep cliffs. Although only shepherds live on Saria now, the ruins of the ancient city of Nisyros can be found here. It is also a breeding area for Eleonora's falcons.

Although the name is subject to dispute, scholars link it with the name of an ancient Greek princess named Katherine from a line of Saria royalty. Greek legends say she was as beautiful as Helen of Troy and so they named an island after her. On the island of Saria, it is recorded history that a kingdom existed named Mikri Nisyros.