Maps of the region
What is an Island?
A simple definition of an island: an unattached kitchen counter providing easy access from all sides. Ok, seriously--though that is an important type of island, what we are speaking of is defined as "a land mass completely surrounded by water, typically in an isolated position, often associated with a chain of other islands (such as the Dodecanese Islands of Greece). Islands are smaller than Greenland, which is often considered the largest island in the world. Whereas, Australia, is considered it's own continent given it land mass.
Window to Europe
These Eastern Aegean Islands are the most utilized migration rooute into Europe from the Middle East and portions of Africa. It is for this reason the EU and Greek Government agreed that facilities such as detainment camps were necessary on key islands close to the coast of Turkey in order to control the flow of migration into Europe. These camps essentially serve as the border wall for Greece and the EU. It is here, on Chios, Lesvos, Leros, Samos and Kos that these camps are utilized to assess and vet potential new entries into Greece and the EU.
Understanding the region with MAPS
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