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Astropalia

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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(classical Astypalaea), an island, with good harbours, in the south part of the Aegean, situated in 36.5° N. and immediately west of 26.5° E. It was colonized by Megara, and its constitution and buildings are known from numerous inscriptions. The Roman emperors recognized it as a free state, and in the middle ages it was called Stampalia, and belonged to the noble Venetian family of Quirini. It was taken by the Turks in the 16th century, and is now noted for its sponges. The customs and dress of the people, who speak a patois of romaic origin, are interesting.