Corfu

Corfu is an island in the Ionian Sea in the Greek state of Kerkyra. Corfu Island covers an area of 580 square kilometers and is the second largest island in the Ionian Islands. It faces the mainland across the Corfu Strait.

The island is home to the Ionian University. Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was born on the island. Corkyra was successively ruled by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Genoese and the Venetians. Among them, the Republic of Venice ruled the island from 1401 to 1797. Kerkyra Island was called the "Gateway of Venice". Ottoman Turkey invaded the island many times, such as 1537, 1571, 1573 and 1716. , but all ended in failure. At that time, Kerkyra could be regarded as the bastion of Western civilization against the Ottomans.

In 1864, Britain, France, Russia and Greece signed the Treaty of London, officially returning the sovereignty of the Ionian Islands including Kerfu to Greece. Today Corkyra is a popular tourist destination. In 2007, the old town of Kerkyra on the island was designated as a World Cultural Heritage on the recommendation of the International Committee of Cultural Monuments and Historic Places.